Services Australia has begun paying the fourth $250 Economic Support Payment to millions of Australians.
The $250 payment will start arriving in bank accounts this week and most people will receive their payment by mid-March, Services Australia said in a statement.
“Your payment will display in your Centrelink online account or Express Plus Centrelink app, 48 hours before it arrives in your bank account.”
The Federal Government announced the Economic Support Payments as part of the 2020-21 budget to better support Australians impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The deadline for eligibility to receive the payment passed on February 26 this year.
If you were living in Australia and getting any of the below payments or concessions on or before February 26 2021, you can expect the $250 support payment to be paid.
Who is eligible for the $250 Centrelink payment?
To receive the payment, you will need to be living in Australia and have been receiving (by February 26, 2021) any of the below eligible payments:
- Age Pension
- Carer Allowance
- Carer Payment
- Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
- Disability Support Pension
- Double Orphan Pension
- Family Tax Benefit
- Pensioner Concession Card
National Seniors Australia has also advised self-funded retirees to check their eligibility for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, and therefore their ability to claim the handout too.
Generally, those who get $1 or more of the Coronavirus Supplement will not receive the payment.
For Department of Veterans’ Affairs customers, the DVA will pay you the Economic Support Payments if you are currently receiving an eligible DVA benefit.
The list of eligible DVA benefits includes:
- Service Pension, Partner Service Pension, Income Support Supplement or Veteran Payment;
- Disability Pension (separate to the $6.20 fortnightly payment);
- Special Rate Disability Pension;
- Permanent Impairment compensation (including lump sum payments taken in the past);
- War Widow(er)’s Pension or Wholly Dependent Partner payment;
- Gold Cards, Commonwealth Seniors Health Cards and Pensioner Concession Cards;
- Age Pension paid by DVA.
