Around 210,000 South Australian households will this week receive the State Government’s Cost of Living Concession (COLC) payment of $255.60 paid direct into their bank accounts.
The 2024-25 COLC payment provides immediate and targeted support to households on low or fixed incomes, as part of the State Government’s commitment to help those most in need with cost-of-living support.
For the first time, payments made to tenants, and self-funded retirees who are Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders, have been doubled to match the amount received by homeowner-occupiers.
Last year’s amounts were $122 for tenant households and Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders, and $243.90 for homeowner-occupier households.
“Our increased Cost of Living Concession payment, which for the first time will see tenants and eligible seniors receive the same amount as homeowner-occupiers, demonstrates our strong commitment to providing real cost-of-living relief to those who need it most,” said South Australian Premier, Peter Malinauskas.
It is expected approximately 56,000 tenant households and 14,000 households with a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card will benefit from this increased payment.
The payments, which total more than $53 million, should be cleared in bank accounts by the end of August.
“All payments should be cleared in bank accounts by early next week. This includes everyone who received a payment last year and who is still eligible, as well as new applications which have been processed up to now,” said Minister, Nat Cook.
The COLC is paid to one person per household. Assessment is based on an individual’s circumstances on 1 July of the relevant financial year. Households don’t need to reapply if they have received a COLC payment previously.
Applications can still be made for this financial year until 31 December 2024.
Recipients must:
- Live at the property
- Hold an eligible concession card, receive an eligible Centrelink payment, or meet low-income provisions.
