What lockdown support is available?

If you can’t work because you or someone in your household is impacted by

COVID-19, support is available.

There are three types of payments accessible to Sole traders may apply for COVID-19 Disaster individuals who have lost work because of the Payment if you are unable to operate your pandemic: business from home. However, you will not be eligible if you are also receiving a State or Territory  the COVID-19 Disaster Payment; business grant.  ‘Top up’ payments for those on income support; and The disaster payment is tax-free and the ATO has  the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment. confirmed that it doesn’t need to be included in How to apply for support your tax return. You can apply for the COVID-19 Disaster Payment Timing of the payment or the top-up income support payment through The disaster payment is generally accessible when your MyGov account if you have created and the Chief Medical Officer declares a region a linked a Centrelink account. Generally, once your hotspot (you can find the listing here). From 2 application has been accepted, you will not need August 2021, payments will apply from day one of to reapply for the payment while your area the lockdown and will be paid in arrears once remains a hotspot unless your circumstances claims open (previously, the hotspot had to last 7 change. days or more and the payment only applied from

day 8 of a lockdown). Apply for the Pandemic Leave Payment by phoning Services on 180 22 66. In , the requirement to be in a Commonwealth declared hotspot was removed COVID-19 Disaster Payments for anyone who met the other eligibility criteria The COVID-19 Disaster Payment is a weekly from 18 July 2021. In Victoria, the hotspot payment available to eligible workers who can’t requirement was removed from 15 July 2021. attend work or who have lost income because of a lockdown and don’t have access to paid pandemic leave entitlements. If you are a couple, both people can separately claim the payment.

COVID-19 Support for Individuals 1 Area Date of Disaster Eligibility declaration payment accessible The COVID-19 disaster payment is emergency from relief. It is available if you: ACT All 12 August 20 August  Live or work in an area that is subject to a state 2021 2021* or territory public health order that imposes NSW All 18 July 2021 restriction on movement and is declared a QLD City of , 1 August 7 August Commonwealth COVID-19 hotspot, or 2021 2021*  Have visited an area that is a Commonwealth Region, Redland COVID-19 hotspot and you are subsequently City, , subject to a restricted movement order when , you return to other parts of the impacted region Shire of Noosa, or interstate. , Lockyer Valley And you: Region,  Are an Australian citizen, permanent resident Region, Somerset or temporary visa holder who has the right to Region and work in Australia, and Sunshine Coast  Are aged 17 years or over, and Region  QLD Regional Council 8 August 16 August Have lost 8 hours or more of work or a full day of Cairns and Shire 2021 2021* of your usual work as a result of the of Yarrabah Qld restrictions - losing work includes being stood SA Metropolitan 20 July 2021 28 July 2021 down by your employer, not being assigned Adelaide any shifts for the week of restrictions and VIC All 22 July 2021 25 July being unable to work from home. Losing a full 2021* day of what you were scheduled to work but VIC All 5 August 13 August could not work because of a restricted 2021 2021* movement order includes not being able to *Payment paid in arrears from date of declaration (day 1 attend a full-time, part-time or casual shift of of the lockdown). less than 8 hours, and  Don’t have paid pandemic-related leave How much is the payment? available through your employer (annual or personal leave is not taken into account), and The COVID-19 disaster payment amount available  Are not receiving income support payments, depends on how many hours of work you have lost a state or territory pandemic payment, in the week: Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment or state small business payment for the same period. Hours of work lost Disaster payment See ‘Top up’ payments for those on income amounts* support below. Income support payments Between 8 and 20 (or a $450 include Age Pension, Austudy, Carer full day of work) Payment, Disability Support Pension, Farm 20 or more $750 Household Allowance, JobSeeker Payment, * From 2 August 2021 Parenting Payment, Partner Allowance, Special Benefit, Widow Allowance, Youth The payment applies to each week of lockdown Allowance and Income Support Supplement, you are eligible. Service Pension or Veteran Pension from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

COVID-19 Support for Individuals 2 ‘Top up’ payments for those on Eligibility income support The Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment is available A special $200 a week ‘top-up’ payment is if you: available to those who are ineligible for the  Are an Australian citizen, permanent resident or temporary visa holder who has the right to work COVID-19 disaster payment because they receive in Australia; and an income support payment through social  Are aged 17 years or over; and security, ABSTUDY Living Allowance, Dad and  Are unable to go to work and earn an income; Partner Pay or Parental Leave Pay. The top-up and payment is in addition to your existing income  Do not have appropriate leave entitlements, support payment, if you can demonstrate: including pandemic sick leave, personal leave or carers leave; and

 You have lost more than 8 hours of work and  Are not getting any income support payment, ABSTUDY Living Allowance, Paid parental leave  Reported employment income to Centrelink at or Dad and Partner Pay. Income support least once on or after 29 April 2021 or had payments include Age Pension, Austudy, Carer ongoing employment income on or after 29 Payment, Disability Support Pension, Farm April 2021, and Household Allowance, JobSeeker Payment,  You meet the other eligibility requirements for Parenting Payment, Partner Allowance, Special the COVID-19 Disaster Payment. Benefit, Widow Allowance, Youth Allowance

and Income Support Supplement, Service If you are a member of a couple, you can both Pension or Veteran Pension from the apply for this payment. Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment The payment is taxable and you will need to The Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment is for those declare it in your income tax return. You will also who have been advised by their relevant health need to include the Pandemic Leave Disaster authority to self-isolate or quarantine because Payment in your Family Tax Benefits, Child Care they: Subsidy, or Child Support income assessment.

 Test positive to COVID-19; If you are uncertain of your eligibility, talk to  Have been identified as a close contact of a Services Australia. confirmed COVID-19 case;  Care for a child, 16 years or under, who has If you are concerned about the impact of disaster COVID-19; or relief payments on you, talk to us.  Care for a child, 16 years or under, who has been identified as a close contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case; or NSW Child-care gap fee  Care for a person who has tested positive to From 19 July 2021, the Government is enabling COVID-19. childcare services in NSW Local Government Areas How much is the payment? subject to stay at home orders to waive gap-fees for parents keeping their children at home due to The payment is $1,500 for each 14 day period you current COVID-19 restrictions. The gap fee is the are advised to self-isolate or quarantine. If you are difference between the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) a couple, you both can claim this payment if you the Government pays to a service and the meet the eligibility criteria. remaining fee paid by the family.

COVID-19 Support for Individuals 3 The child-care gap fee waiver is only applicable See Fair Trading NSW for further details. where the childcare service opts in. 60 day freeze on evictions

The Local Government Areas were expanded and Tenants who can’t pay their rent in full because now cover: City of , Municipality of they are impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak Woollahra, , Municipality of cannot be evicted between 14 July 2021 and 11 Waverley, , Blacktown City September 2021. Council, Blue Mountains City Council, Municipality Financial support for landlords of Burwood, Camden Council, Central Coast Residential landlords who decrease rent for Council, City of Campbelltown, , impacted tenants from 14 July 2021 can apply for City of Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland City a grant of up to $1,500 per tenancy or land tax Council, City of Fairfield, George’s River Council, reductions depending on their circumstances. The , , Municipality land tax relief will be equal to the value of rent of Hunter’s Hill, Council, Ku-ring-gai reductions provided to financially distressed Council, , City of Liverpool, tenants for up to 100% of the 2021 land tax year , , Northern liability. Beaches Council, , City of

Penrith, , Shellharbour City Council, To claim the support, landlords will need a rental Municipality of Strathfield, , The bond number or a written tenancy agreement, Hills Shire, , , and a written agreement with the tenant to and Wollongong City Council. reduce or waive rent payable (from 14 July 2021). NSW Residential Tenant Eviction Where a landlord receives financial support for Moratorium COVID-19 impacted tenants, they cannot ask The NSW Government has introduced a targeted tenants to repay the amount of the reduction eviction moratorium to protect residential when lockdown ends. tenants. The moratorium applies where:

 You have lost work/income because you or a How to contact us member of your household contracted COVID; or We’re available to assist you if you need support.  Your household’s take home weekly income has reduced by 25% or more (including any Here’s how you can contact us: government assistance received) compared to the weekly income received in the 4 weeks Lockhart Business Advisors prior to 26 June 2021; and Phone 02 6766 4288  You continue to pay at least 25% of the rent Web www.lockharts.com.au payable. Email [email protected]

You will need to show evidence that you meet the The material and contents provided in this publication are eligibility criteria for a rent reduction such as bank informative in nature only. It is not intended to be advice and you should not act specifically on the basis of this information. If statements, documentation from your employer expert assistance is required, professional advice should be demonstrating stand down or reduced hours, obtained. evidence of business closure, Centrelink support Updated 16 August 2021 confirmation, etc.

COVID-19 Support for Individuals 4