Currently, Victorians can claim for the first week of the current lockdown, the period of July 16 to 22, and a liquid assets test does not play a part in determining eligibility.
Federal Government Services Minister Linda Reynolds encouraged people to submit claims online and said the online portal myGov was the "fastest and easiest" way to receive a COVID-19 Disaster Payment.
“Payments are mostly being made within one business day and in some instances as soon as 40 minutes,” she said.
Successful claimants do not need to submit further applications if the lockdown is extended.
“The payment will be recurring, meaning people will be paid automatically for any additional weeks of lockdown,” Senator Reynolds said.
Eligible Victorians will receive $600 per week if they have lost 20 or more hours of work, and $375 per week if they have lost between eight and 20 hours of work or a full day of work.
Applicants must meet all of the general eligibility requirements to get the payment:
● You're an Australian resident or visa holder with the right to work in Australia● You're 17 years or older● You're not receiving an income support payment, ABSTUDY Living Allowance, Dad and Partner Pay or Parental Leave Pay● You're not receiving the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment, a state or territory pandemic payment or a state small business payment for the same period● You’ve lost income and don’t have any appropriate paid leave entitlements
For example, people in Greater Shepparton and other parts of regional Victoria are eligible if they lost at least eight hours of their usual income because of the current snap lockdown.
Some small businesses are also eligible to apply for the payment.
On Wednesday, July 21, the eligibility requirements for the COVID-19 Disaster Payment were changed to include small businesses not registered for GST, which were ineligible for the Business Costs Assistance payment.
To claim online, applicants require a myGov account linked to a Centrelink online account.
More information about financial support available to Victorians, and how to claim, is online at: servicesaustralia.gov.au/covid19disasterpayment
