FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE SUMMARY OF OPTIONS

Australia


Information Summary

Government paid $550 supplement per fortnight to existing and new recipients in the eligible payment categories.

People will not be permitted, and will need to declare that they are not, accessing employer entitlements (e.g. annual leave and / or sick leave) or income protection insurance.

Reduced means testing:
Asset testing for JobSeeker Payment, Youth Allowance JobSeeker & Parenting Payment will be waived for the period of the Coronavirus supplement. Income testing will still apply to other payments.

Reduced waiting times:
the one-week ordinary waiting period has been waived. The Newly Arrived Residents Waiting Period will be temporarily waived for eligible recipients. Residency requirements still apply.


Eligibility

The income support payment categories eligible to receive the Coronavirus supplement are existing and new recipients of:

  • JobSeeker Payment
  • Youth Allowance Jobseeker
  • Parenting Payment
  • Farm Household Allowance
  • Special Benefit

For the period of the Coronavirus supplement, there will be expanded access to these income support payments:

Jobseeker Payment & Youth Allowance Jobseeker criteria will provide payment access for permanent Team Members who have lost their employment, casual team members and contract workers whose income has been reduced as a result of Coronavirus. This could also include a person required to care for someone who is affected by the Coronavirus

Note, depending on the payment you’re claiming, your parent’s or partner’s income may affect your eligibility to claim a payment.


When

Payments will be made from 27 April 2020.

Paid for up to the next 6 months


How to Apply / More Information

Visit https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/

You can either submit a full claim for a payment or register your intention to claim a payment through your myGov account at a time and place that works for you. Services Australia will backdate your payment.

You don’t need to call or visit a service centre to register your intention to claim. Services Australia will get in contact with you to let you know the next steps.

For more information visit

Australia Government Treasury website

 


Information Summary

Financial support for eligible applicants who are looking for work or are sick or injured and cannot do their usual work or study.

The Job Seeker Payment amount depends on your situation. This includes your personal situation, such as if you have children or a partner and how much income you’ve earned in the past 14 days. For maximum fortnightly payment amounts, see below.


Eligibility

Eligible recipients must:

  • Be between 22 and Age Pension age (currently 66)
  • Meet residence rules
  • Income and assets are under the test limits.

Applicants also need to meet rules for either of these situations:

  • You meet Services Australia definition of unemployed and looking for work.
  • You are sick or injured and are unable to do your usual work or study for a short time.

When

Payments are made fortnightly.

Current maximum fortnightly payment rates are as below:

  • Single, no children - $565.70
  • Single, with a dependent child or children - $612
  • Single, aged 60+ after 9 continuous months on payment - $612
  • Partnered - $510.80 each
  • Single principle carer granted an exemption from mutual obligation requirements - $790.10

How to Apply / More Information

Visit Service Australia website for more information

 


Information Summary

Businesses such as TFE Hotels who have been impacted by the Coronavirus may be eligible to access a wage subsidy from the Government to continue paying their Team Members.

Eligible Team Members affected by the Coronavirus may be able to access fortnightly payments of $1,500 (before tax) from 30 March 2020 for a maximum of 6 months.

This payment will be offset by any earnings (including annual leave taken).


Eligibility

Eligible team members are:
team members who on 1 March 2020 were:

  • Full-time and Part-time team members
  • Casual team members who have been employed on a regular and systematic basis for 12 months’ or more
  • 16 years or above in age

And team members must either be an Australian Citizen or the holder of:

  • A permanent visa
  • A New Zealander working in Australia and is the holder of a protected special category visa, who is a protected SCV holder (as defined under the Social Security Act 1991)
  • A New Zealander working in Australia and the holder of a special category (subclass 444) visa/li>

Team members employed after 1 March 2020 are not eligible.


When

Payments will be made from 1 May 2020, paid for up to the next 6 months.


How to Apply / More Information

For more information, please refer to the TFE Hotels Job Keeper Payment FAQs (ask your Manager for a copy).

 


Information Summary

Early access of up to $10,000 of superannuation before 1 July 2020. 

Further access to another $10,000 after 1 July 2020 for 3 months.

Talk to your super fund regarding the potential advantages of early withdrawal in combination with voluntary superannuation contribution.


Eligibility

Team Members experiencing financial stress due to COVID-19.

Centrelink or Veteran Support payments will not be affected by this.


When

First Applications before 1 July 2020

Second applications after 1 July 2020


How to Apply / More Information

Login to MyGov

 


Information Summary

Some banks may offer assistance to customers on their home loans through reducing or deferring your repayments, restructuring your loan/s, waiving fees, and offering credit options for eligible customers.

Note, where repayments are deferred please consider if interest is capitalised (i.e. interest and fees may be added to your loan balance with either the term of the loan extended, or payments increased after the deferral period).


Eligibility

Team Members experiencing financial stress due to COVID-19.

Consult with your bank or home loan provider.

Complete the Mortgage Relief Letter.


How to Apply / More Information

Mortgage Relief Letter (provided separately)

Consult your bank or home loan provider’s website or contact them directly.
ANZ
Bankwest
Bendigo Bank
Commonwealth Bank
Macquarie Bank
NAB
St George
Suncorp
Westpac


Information Summary

If you are having difficulty meeting your rental payments, you should speak with your landlord or agent.

You may wish to discuss an alternative arrangement such as a pause or reduction on payments and negotiating a repayment plan.

If you are under a fixed term agreement and you believe that you would suffer undue hardship if your tenancy continues, then you can apply to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal to end the tenancy on hardship grounds.

The Federal Government has suggested there will be rental subsidies for those who are impacted COVID-19 however this has not yet been formalised or announced.


Eligibility

Team Members experiencing financial stress due to COVID-19.

Consult with your landlord or agent.

Recommendation for Team Members to submit a letter requesting rental assistance.


When

To be confirmed


How to Apply / More Information

Rent Relief Letter (provided separately)

NSW Fair Trading website

 


Information Summary

Many Australian Insurers have financial hardship options, including freezing premiums, suspending coverage and / or reducing costs.


How to Apply / More Information

Visit

 https://www.finder.com.au/coronavirus-financial-help  - go to the ‘Insurers’ section

Consult your Insurance Provider’s website or contact them directly

 


Information Summary

Some Energy providers and Broadband/Mobile providers also offer support for customers impacted by COVID19 through tailoring payment plans, providing advice on grant programs that customers may be eligible for and advice on energy or broadband/mobile usage.


How to Apply / More Information

Consult your Energy and Broadband/Mobile provider’s website or contact them directly.

Visit https://www.finder.com.au/financial-hardship-programs-utilities for more info.

 


Information Summary

The Government is providing two separate $750 payments to social security, veteran and other income support recipients and eligible concession card holders.

  • The first payment is available to people who are eligible payment recipients and concession card holders at any time from 12 March 2020 to 13 April 2020.

  • The second payment is available to people who are eligible payment recipients and concession card holders on 10 July 2020


Eligibility

  • Age Pension
  • Disability Support Pension
  • Carer Payment
  • Carer Allowance
  • Parenting Payment
  • Wife Pension
  • Widow B Pension
  • ABSTUDY (Living Allowance)
  • Austudy
  • Bereavement Allowance
  • Newstart Allowance
  • Youth Allowance
  • Partner Allowance
  • Sickness Allowance
  • Widow Allowance
  • Farm Household Allowance
  • Family Tax Benefit A
  • Family Tax Benefit B
  • Double Orphan Pension

A person can be eligible to receive both the first and second support payment. However, they can only receive one 750 payment in each round of payments. However, they can only receive one $750 payment in each round of payments.


When

First payment – paid automatically from 31 March 2020

Second payment – paid automatically from 13 July 2020


How to Apply / More Information

Paid directly into Centrelink account via myGov

For more information visit Payment to Support Households Fact Sheet

 


Information Summary

A payment can be claimed if you are isolated at home and cannot work as the result of COVID-19 and have no paid leave entitlements.


Eligibility

Team Members who are in severe financial hardship and already receive a JobSeeker Payment or Youth Allowance JobSeeke


How to Apply / More Information

Visit Service Australia's Website for more information.

 


Information Summary

Free financial advice to Hostplus members via phone and online via Super Adviser


Eligibility

Hostplus Members


How to Apply / More Information

Login to your Hostplus Member Account online

 


Information Summary

Various online providers of financial counselling, support and education.


How to Apply / More Information

ASIC Money Smart

Ed - School of Money

Australian Banking Association

 


Information Summary

Free Independent Financial Counselling.


Eligibility

Any team member who would like assistance in managing debt.


How to Apply / More Information

Call 1800 007 007 (Australia) , or visit https://ndh.org.au/

 


Information Summary

Access EAP is available to Team Members free of charge for 6 months from their last day of employment.


Eligibility

Available via phone, online support and video conference


How to Apply / More Information

Visit https://www.accesseap.com.au/

Call 1800 81 87 28 (Australia)

Email [email protected]

 


Information Summary

A range of charities provide economic, food and financial support.


Eligibility

Economic and support services are available from: Red Cross, Salvation Army and St Vincent de Paul


How to Apply / More Information

Australian Red Cross

The Salvation Army Australia

St Vincent de Paul Society


Information Summary

Payment of up to $1,100 for vulnerable international students who have lost their job or had a significant reduction to their employment and are facing financial hardship as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19).


Eligibility

International students from Victoria’s tertiary education providers including universities, TAFEs, private Vocational Education and Training providers and English language colleges are eligible to apply for the hardship payment.


When

Study Melbourne are working on opening applications as soon as possible.


How to Apply / More Information

Complete the Study Melbourne Online Form to register your interest

 


Information Summary

Provision of food and non-perishable items.


Eligibility

Support is available for vulnerable people in the community, casual workers, international students, isolated individuals and Carers among others.


How to Apply / More Information

Individuals/households can register their interest to receive assistance via https://canberrarelief.com.au/