In a world where the cost of living seems to be perpetually on the rise, it's a relief to hear that the Australian government is trying to ease everyone's financial burden.

For seniors who rely on social security payments, there's some good news on the horizon amidst the rising costs.

Centrelink, the government's main social welfare program, announced an upcoming increase in payments to help recipients keep up with inflation.

This adjustment was a part of the biannual indexation process happening every March and September.

These adjustments provide a much-needed financial boost for Australians' Centrelink benefits, including the Age Pension and JobSeeker.

Australians under Centrelink payments should see this payment increase soon. Image Credit: Freepik/Kraken Images

Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth emphasised the importance of this indexation.

'Indexation is a critical part of our social security safety net,' Minister Rishworth shared in a statement.

'For pensioners and other payment recipients receiving this financial boost, this will help ease some pressure.'

So, what does this mean for you or your loved ones who may be receiving these payments?

More than 850,000 Australians on JobSeeker should see a modest increase in their payment while searching for employment.

Starting Thursday, 20 March, a single person will see their fortnightly payments rise by $3.10.

Meanwhile, couples will receive an additional $2.80 each.

This increase could bring the total fortnightly payments to $781.10 for singles and $715.10 for couples, amounting to an annual increase of $80.60 and $72.80, respectively.

Over 2.64 million recipients under Age Pension should see a more significant bump in their payments soon.

Recipients on the maximum single rate should expect an extra $4.60 per fortnight, while couples will get an additional $3.50 each.

Consequently, fortnightly payments should increase to $1,149 for single beneficiaries and $866.10 for couples.

This same $4.60 increase should also apply to individuals on the Disability Support Pension and Carer Payment.

Other Centrelink payments should also see small bumps on their payments.

ABSTUDY recipients should expect a rise of between $2.80 to $3.30 per fortnight, while those on Parenting Payment will see an increase of between $2.80 to $4.30.

Rent Assistance payments should also go up slightly, with an increase of between $0.50 to $1.12.

Minister Rishworth highlighted the government's commitment to strengthening the social security system over the past three years, ensuring it provides support 'at whatever age or stage they're at in life'.

In addition to the payment increases, JobSeeker recipients should also receive news regarding compliance.

Starting this month, job seekers who just registered with Workforce Australia or Disability Employment Services should not face compliance action if they fail to meet a requirement for the first time.

While these changes may not represent a windfall, every little bit could help when it comes to managing household budgets.

Managing finances could be a challenge, especially for seniors on a fixed income.

To enjoy these benefits and more, make sure to update your Centrelink information as soon as possible.

Key Takeaways

• Centrelink payments in Australia, such as JobSeeker and the Age Pension, should increase soon due to indexation.
• Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth highlighted that the increase was a critical part of the social security system as it provides financial relief to pensioners and recipients.
• Starting Thursday, 20 March, singleJobSeeker recipients should receive an extra $3.10 fortnightly, while Age Pensioners will see more significant increases.
• Other payments such as the Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment, ABSTUDY, Parenting Payment, and Rent Assistance are also due to rise. Fewer JobSeeker recipients will face cut-offs due to new changes in compliance measures.

How will these changes impact your budget? Do you have any tips for stretching your Centrelink payments further? Sharing your experiences can help others make the most of their benefits. We would love to hear from you in the comments below!

 

[Ingot]

You ask for helpful articles but do not heed help when offered. Hypocrisy much?

The door is just over there =======>>

Good riddance!

You will not be missed!

Hey Chief - settle down.
Can't you allow someone to express an opinion against pseudo-journalism?
I didn't step on your bunions, so give me some space.
Who made you the judge around here?
That's MY job!!

 

[Veggiepatch]

Hey Chief - settle down.
Can't you allow someone to express an opinion against pseudo-journalism?
I didn't step on your bunions, so give me some space.
Who made you the judge around here?
That's MY job!!

Never had bunions in my life!

 

[Ingot]

That is simply not true. Who is responsible for spreading these vicious lies? Mr Dutton has been very clear that the card will not be applied to aged pensioners, nor to the disabled, except in isolated cases where it is clear the pension recipient is incapable of managing their affairs responsibly and their misuse of funds is causing serious harm to themselves, spouse or dependents. In those circumstances, the card is a good thing.

Mr Dutton also supported the Misinformation and Disinformation Bill - his Party actually wrote the draft before Labor got in. And the Digital ID Bill was supported by LNP too.

As far as I am concerned, they (duopoly parties) are non-starters.
We need the Independents and freedom parties like Libertarians and Family First, One Nation etc to be elected. The won't provide an alternative PM but they will hold them to account, and remember when Gillard was PM she got a lot more done with the hung parliament
But people will still vote for Labor or Liberal ... and this time next year we will still be whinging about the pitiful pensions.

 

[Ingot]

Your reply to @Danielle F. is uncalled for and unnecessary. Why do you bother with SDC? You say, “SDC is just a stirring organisation.”
You say you don’t come here for help or discounts. So it must be to complain and throw around insults.
You should just leave SDC. Your opinions are worthless.

My response to Danielle F. is EXACTLY what is called for.
How dare she tell Pensioners and Seniors here that:
"it's a relief to hear that the Australian government is trying to ease everyone's financial burden."

That is a disgusting L-I-E !
What relief is there in half a cup of coffee a fortnight???
Where is the ease when rents are going up $80 fortnight? (mine)

I guess when you are rolling in money (like some of the Labor sycophants on here, judging by their past posts) who are not on welfare at all, you shouldn't comment at all when pensioners who are on pensions because of life's circumstances, are standing up and calling it out.

I believe Danielle F. knows exactly what she is doing by writing such antagonistic tripe.
Her job is secure - look at all the fish she caught today.

Rusted on Labor and LNP voters are the problem. They will vote for one or other of the major parties, even if they stopped the pension altogether!

We have no hope when voters refuse to vote with critical thinking ...
ie if you do what you always do, you'll get what you always got!

Several people on here have expressed their disillusion with Labor/LNP duopoly.

Is life better after 3 years of labor waste - see lists underneath.
Is Australia better after 9 years of LNP kleptocracy?
We cannot get decent catch-up pension rises, yet the govt can find $600 million for a PNG football team etc and $1 billion for the Tasmanian AFL stadium ... already blown out from $770 million, without a spade turning the dirt yet.
And $2.4 billion for Whyalla Steel, but no thought to catch and gaol the corrupt foreign owner.

If these things happened under the LNP, think of the howls from Labor sycophants.
But because #handsomeboy Albo (Xi Jinping's name for him) does it, it's ok!

The below files have not been updated since before October.
A family bereavement meant that I was unable to continue with the lists.

 

[Ingot]

Never had bunions in my life!

Well must be your piles that are causing the issue.

 

[Ingot]

Think of the uproar if your pensions DECREASED by $4.60 per fortnight!

New Parliament House would be inundated with throngs of mobility scooters and walking frames screaming blue murder!

Now that would be a sight!

Should that happen (pensions be cut), there wouldn't be anyone protesting in any way, except on pages like these.
People love to whine and bitch, but I wager not ONE whinger here today has been in contact with their Federal member to get an explanation.
NOT-A-One!
That's Aussies for you.
The battler is dead.

 

[Veggiepatch]

Well must be your piles that are causing the issue.

No piles either.

But you are so full of shit that you are suffering from a rare condition of the gastrojejunocolic fistula called "copremesis".

That will have you scouring Dr Google for a while!

 

[Ingot]

People screaming to vote against the major parties but what are the consequences?

A rabble of rudderless independents going in all different directions.

Think about it. A mild form of anarchy would ensue!

What RUBBISH, Veggie.
How many times have Independents and One Nation (as an example) turned the tide of a Bill in the Senate?
Look what happened during Gillard's hung Parliament days.
You have a selective memory.
Both major parties are running scared that neither will control the Senate (they don't now, except for the Marxist Greens and National parties).

What are you afraid of - that 3 years of decency in management of Australia will deliver cuts to govt waste ... and the fat pigs deceitfully growing their real estate portfolios will have to find their own money to fund their next house purchase?

By voting in solid Independent and emerging party candidates like Libertarians and Family First or One Nation you will somehow be worse off?
Give me a break.
The parliaments - Lower House and Senate would suffer nothing but refreshing change.

 

[DLHM]

Should that happen (pensions be cut), there wouldn't be anyone protesting in any way, except on pages like these.
People love to whine and bitch, but I wager not ONE whinger here today has been in contact with their Federal member to get an explanation.
NOT-A-One!
That's Aussies for you.
The battler is dead.

You’ve shown yourself to be one of those people who “love to whine and bitch”.

I stand by my earlier posts.

 

[Ingot]

Crikey that’s abit harsh I can’t believe someone on here can be such a meany shame on you View attachment 70320

If you believe what Danielle F. wrote, then I am wasting my time bothering with you.
She wrote that the pension and welfare payments would be "relief."

In all of the comments to this point, I do not see a single person claiming that "relief."

Similarly, not a single person here has stated that the Government of any colour, is "trying to ease everyone's financial burden" ... but Danielle F. seems to think so.

Tell lies often enough and people will believe it.
The more outrageous the lies ... the bigger the suckers!

 

[Ingot]

What can you buy for 4.20? What a joke!

Ignore people like Veggiepatch, John ... they are only here to be abrasive and stir.

 

[Ingot]

You’ve shown yourself to be one of those people who “love to whine and bitch”.

I stand by my earlier posts.

You can stand by wherever you like, Sir.
You are obviously one of those like your mate Veggie, who doesn't need government support.

 

[Ingot]

For all you who boo hoo about the aged pension, try surviving in countries such as Afghanistan, South Sudan, Cameroon, North Korea and Syria, where there is NO aged pension.

The air up there must be a bit thin ... on your high horse on the high ground Veggie.
Since you do not rely on the Pension, your comments and those of your mates, have no meaning in a forum like this.
Leave people alone.
If they are angry that they are being ground down, then allow them to express that.
Your haughty comments are not helpful.

 

[Ingot]

I'm a Labor voter.

Nooo!
Surely not.
Reeeely??

 

[Ingot]

Sharpen that guillotine, girly.

I've got a tough neck and an even harder head.

I don't think your head is that hard, Veggie.
You overstate your prowess.

 

[Ingot]

NA YA JUST BLIND

View attachment 70337

I don't seem to see the National Debt rises or falls under Labor.
Does anyone see those numbers?

 

[Veggiepatch]

Ignore people like Veggiepatch, John ... they are only here to be abrasive and stir.

I don't come here to state my "beliefs, feelings and faith" because I don't have these intangible traits.

Facts, evidence and observations are what I rely on, not the airy-fairy rubbish above.

 

[Ingot]

i most certainly am not.

a lot of aged come from non workers.

And a whole lot more come from workers.

 

[Ingot]

No piles either.

But you are so full of shit that you are suffering from a rare condition of the gastrojejunocolic fistula called "copremesis".

That will have you scouring Dr Google for a while!

Had 40 yrs as a Reg Nurse ... your condition would be a Specialty I am unfamiliar with.
But gee, you seem to know a LOT about it.
Tell me more, Sir.

 

[Veggiepatch]

I don't think your head is that hard, Veggie.
You overstate your prowess.

Maybe ask several people, one who shattered his wrist on my noggin.

I did suffer a fractured cheekbone in 1983 when attacked by three idiots in the carpark of St George Sailing Club. Too bad I remembered the number plate of the car, got the owner's address in Lakemba and no more car. Goodbye blue VC Commodore LMU-157! Up in a puff of smoke.

Wanna try my hard head?