Heads up, members: there's a financial uplift on the way for millions of Australians who rely on social security payments.

A welcome increase will be reflected in the pockets of age pensioners, disability support recipients, and carers, thanks to the latest round of indexation.

This is a routine adjustment, but it's one that can make a significant difference in the day-to-day lives of many.

Starting tomorrow, March 20, single recipients of the age pension, disability support pension, and carer payments will see their fortnightly payments rise by $19.60. Couples will enjoy a combined increase of $29.40 per fortnight.

Counting the pension supplement and the energy supplement, the maximum rate for singles is $1,116.30 and for couples $1,682.80 every two weeks.

Senior pensioner couples can get up to $841.40 weekly in line with tomorrow’s indexation. Image Credit: Shutterstock

Federal Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth highlighted the importance of this increase, acknowledging that 'Pension recipients are some of the most vulnerable members of our communities, many having worked all their lives contributing to our society or caring for a loved one.'

Commonwealth Rent Assistance, JobSeeker, Parenting Payment (Single), and ABSTUDY have also been indexed, ensuring that these payments keep pace with the cost of living.

JobSeeker and ABSTUDY recipients aged 22 and over will see their single, without child rate increase by $13.50 a fortnight, totaling $771.50 (including the energy supplement).

Couples on these payments will receive an additional $12.30 each per fortnight, with their new rate being $706.20, energy supplement included.

Single parents receiving the parenting payment will also benefit from an extra $17.50 every two weeks. This brings their total fortnightly payment to $1,006.50, inclusive of the pension supplement, pharmaceutical allowance, and energy supplement.

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It's not just the payment rates that are on the rise; the income and assets limits for these payments will also see an increase as a result of the indexation.

This means that recipients can potentially earn more or have more in savings without affecting their eligibility for these crucial payments.

For those eager to see the complete list of changes, they can be found here, providing a detailed breakdown of how the indexation will be applied across the various payments.

If you're unsure about how the indexation affects you or if you have questions about your eligibility, don't hesitate to reach out to the Department of Social Services for more information.

Speaking of eligibility, did you know there’s another form of assistance you could be missing out on? Find out more about it here!

Key Takeaways

• Social security payments in Australia will see an increase due to indexation on March 20.
• Age pensions, disability support pensions, and carer payments will rise, with singles receiving an additional $19.60 and couples getting $29.40 more per fortnight.
• Other payments such as Commonwealth Rent Assistance, JobSeeker, Parenting Payment Single and ABSTUDY will also be indexed.
• The federal Social Services Minister highlighted that the increase will benefit some of the most vulnerable members of the community.

We'd love to hear from you, members. What are your thoughts on this latest round of increases? Share them in the comments below!

 

[Jest]

I am a pensioner and live alone with the upkeep of a home, maintenance, insurance etc. I also have a motor car and have to pay fuel, rego, insurance and maintenance, not to mention food costs.
I feel that because I am a single pensioner I do not get enough to cover all these costs. Couples have the same expenses but earn a larger pension, that being $566.00 more than a single pensioner. I feel is not fair as I have the same expenses on a single pension,therefore unable to make all payments.
I do believe we as single pensioners need to have the same amount, as a couple . who live in the same home as their expenses would be equivalent but earn more.

why is it that the government needs or should cover everyone's expenses? I feel for you but the country would be broke doing that. We must be very close to that the way labour are throwing the cash.

 

[gamiry]

Does any body remember when the butcher would give you the lamb shanks? Although by the size of some of the shanks, I've seen a three tooth lamb?

almost 60 years ago shanks cost only 20 cents and they made our roast dinner. Try buying them for that today.

 

[gamiry]

why is it that the government needs or should cover everyone's expenses? I feel for you but the country would be broke doing that. We must be very close to that the way labour are throwing the cash.

why does everyone blame Albo? It's been going on for almost 40 years. Leg o Mutton Dutton isn't any better.

 

[Luckyus]

why does everyone blame Albo? It's been going on for almost 40 years. Leg o Mutton Dutton isn't any better.

Because he's the latest BULLSHIT ARTIST to be our very own prime minister, none of them deserve the capitalization of the merit the title should qualify or quantify?

 

[IAN3005]

why does everyone blame Albo? It's been going on for almost 40 years. Leg o Mutton Dutton isn't any better.

love the way you describe Dutton.... Leg o mutton

 

[melnugro]

would you do their job though??

I would 'cause 3 yrs. of lies and destroying the country I loved by the current Pollies, would be nothing come the rest of one's life as a PM , attached with all the perks at the end of one's political life as a PM !

 

[gamiry]

love the way you describe Dutton.... Leg o mutton

Glad you like it. I came up with it when I realised that he was as useless as a Leg o Mutton but then remembered that a leg of a sheep, even an old one, was useful for food.

 

[mitchellowe]

ITS a vote buying exercise at tax payers expencea
A $200 plus for the people who dont want to work is a load of crap
meanwhile other welfare recipients get what for working all their lives SFA
IF the unemployed cannot get s job now what incentive is paying them more going to do
WHY ARENT PENCIONERS GETTING THE SAME INCREASES ESPECIALLY AS SINCE THE CORONA VIRUS HIT WE HAVE BEEN DISCRIMINATED AGAINST ALL INCREASES INCLUDING THE STIMULOUS PACKAGES SINCE IT BEGAN
SINGLE PARENTS AND THE PERMANENT DOLE BLUDGERS ARE GETTING REWARDED FOR DOING WHAT/
HOW IS IT THAT 2 OR MORE DOLE PEOPLE LIVING TOGETHER ARE GOING TO GET PAID HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS MORE THAN A MARRIED COUPLE LIVING TOGETHER RECEIVE

 

[mitchellowe]

WOW $18 .10 dollars a f/n based on a %1.8increase and yet it is still over %3.6
WHAT A DELIBERATE LIE FRON AMANDA RISHTOMN
SORRY IF I SPELT IT WRONG BUT MY SPELLING IS AS BAD AS YOUR MATHS
THE SAME GOVT HAS GIVEN THE LOWEST PAID WORKERS A $56 A week
FORTNIGHYLY INCREASE OF $112
DOUBLE THAT IF BOTH PEOPLE LIVING TOGETHER TO $224
WHAT HAS A MARRIED COUPLE ON ON A PENSION DONE TO GET $24.95 which is a %10 increase compared to low income earners
PENSIONERS AND THE DISABLED ARE A FURTHER $200 behind the lowest paid in australia even though we are the only generation that all worked and paid their taxes
THERE WAS NO CENTRELINC SO YOU EITHER WORKED OR STARVED
NOWADAYS ITS SIT AT HOME OR HAVE A BABY AND YOU ARE NOT FORCED TO DO ANYTHING BUT COLLECT YOUR GOVT PAID BONUS FOR CONTRIBUTING FOR POPULATION GROWTH AND FURTHER UNEMPLOYMENT

 

[Gsr]

I read last night the new governor generals pay is going up by $214,000 per year, from $560,000+ to $760,000+. How is that even justified in todays current cost of living crisis where so many people are doing without the basic necessities of life needed to trivet. Corporate greed at its worst, these people are just scum, politicians included, who think they are justified in living like pigs in gold mud while people are starving. The worst part is none of them even give a rats a—e about anyone but themselves.

 

[Gsr]

Needed to survive, it should read. Dumb iPad changing my words.

 

[mitchellowe]

why is it that the government needs or should cover everyone's expenses? I feel for you but the country would be broke doing that. We must be very close to that the way labour are throwing the cash.

every thing govts do is about them YOU WANT ELECTRICITY .GAS WATER THEN WHY DO WE PAY THEM TO DELIVER WHAT THEY SELL
GOVT GREED
MY INTERNET AND PHONE HAS GONE UP MORE THAN THE LAST PENSION INCREASE WHICH IS A NECCESSITY NOWADAYS
NOT TO MENTION EVERYTHING ELSE WHICH HAS GONE UP ESPECIALLY WHEN PAY INCREASES TO PENSIONERS IS A FARCE
%1.8 in the last 12 months
WHAT A LOAD OF CRAP
EVERYTIME YU WATCH THE FINABCE REVIEWS THE CPI IS OVER %3.5 nearing %4 so how does this govt get %1.8 for the govt concessions$56 for low income earners a week and $112 a week if 2 people work in the same household
THATS OVER 11 TIMES MORE THAN THE PENSION INCREASE

 

[mitchellowe]

every thing govts do is about them YOU WANT ELECTRICITY .GAS WATER THEN WHY DO WE PAY THEM TO DELIVER WHAT THEY SELL
GOVT GREED
MY INTERNET AND PHONE HAS GONE UP MORE THAN THE LAST PENSION INCREASE WHICH IS A NECCESSITY NOWADAYS
NOT TO MENTION EVERYTHING ELSE WHICH HAS GONE UP ESPECIALLY WHEN PAY INCREASES TO PENSIONERS IS A FARCE
%1.8 in the last 12 months
WHAT A LOAD OF CRAP
EVERYTIME YU WATCH THE FINABCE REVIEWS THE CPI IS OVER %3.5 nearing %4 so how does this govt get %1.8 for the govt concessions$56 for low income earners a week and $112 a week if 2 people work in the same household
THATS OVER 11 TIMES MORE THAN THE PENSION INCREASE

 

[IAN3005]

every thing govts do is about them YOU WANT ELECTRICITY .GAS WATER THEN WHY DO WE PAY THEM TO DELIVER WHAT THEY SELL
GOVT GREED
MY INTERNET AND PHONE HAS GONE UP MORE THAN THE LAST PENSION INCREASE WHICH IS A NECCESSITY NOWADAYS
NOT TO MENTION EVERYTHING ELSE WHICH HAS GONE UP ESPECIALLY WHEN PAY INCREASES TO PENSIONERS IS A FARCE
%1.8 in the last 12 months
WHAT A LOAD OF CRAP
EVERYTIME YU WATCH THE FINABCE REVIEWS THE CPI IS OVER %3.5 nearing %4 so how does this govt get %1.8 for the govt concessions$56 for low income earners a week and $112 a week if 2 people work in the same household
THATS OVER 11 TIMES MORE THAN THE PENSION INCREASE

 

[IAN3005]

Not to mention the hefty increase politicians are getting.

 

[Luckyus]

Are you ready for a bigger pension? Here's how millions are getting their boost. With this government You'd have more chance of a bigger penis​

 

[Ingot]

I read last night the new governor generals pay is going up by $214,000 per year, from $560,000+ to $760,000+. How is that even justified in todays current cost of living crisis where so many people are doing without the basic necessities of life needed to trivet. Corporate greed at its worst, these people are just scum, politicians included, who think they are justified in living like pigs in gold mud while people are starving. The worst part is none of them even give a rats a—e about anyone but themselves.

See George Orwell's "Animal Farm."

Rishworth:
"Federal Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth highlighted the importance of this increase, acknowledging that 'Pension recipients are some of the most vulnerable members of our communities, many having worked all their lives contributing to our society or caring for a loved one.' "

Have you ever heard such dribble?

Wonder who writes her speeches and press releases.
And what's her annual salary for such comforting thoughts?

The Guardian had this to say:
“Many of these office holders do not expect or require that monetary compensation for their roles in the public sector be set at private sector levels. Rather, office holders serve for the public good and the opportunity to influence economic and social policy initiatives.”

Good stuff.
Risible really.
Again - who writes this stuff.
Australian welfare rates will not be decided until the June quarter ends, and not announced until third week September (roughly).

Welfare is welcomed of course, but one can't help but look over the fence when one sees that the % increases are NOT designed to improve one's well-being. The Gov Gen will receive nearly $200k increase.

Sheesh! Her rent must really have gone up this year!!

We all know that 3.5% is well under the cost of living, since rents are a cost of living, yet outstrip all welfare metrics.

Perhaps it's time for an overhaul and a bit of 'catch-up' eh?
Last rent supplement: 88 cents/week!! Get that: Not even a full dollar!!

 

[mitchellowe]

Are you ready for a bigger pension? Here's how millions are getting their boost. With this government You'd have more chance of a bigger penis​

 

[mitchellowe]

pensioners have been shafted at every pay increase
COST OF LIVING HAS GONE UP OVER %50 in the last five years and yet pensions %18
OBVIOUSLY THIS IS DELIBERATE
WHY CANT THE GOVT USE SOME OF ITS BILLIONS IT MAKES ON TOBACCO TAX TO GIVE THE ELDERLY A DECENT PAY RISE ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CPI WHICH AMANDA RISHTON CANNOT WORK OUT
I BET IF HER WAGE WAS INCREASED BELOW HER LAST PAY INCREASE BY AT LEAST HALF AND SITS ON HER HIGH HORSE WHILE EVERYONE AROUNG HER GETS BIG INCREASES SHEWOULD GO BACK TO SCHOOL AND BACK ON HER MEDS TO LEARN MATHS AND MAKE HERSELF SEE THE FACTS
SHE CAN ONLY SEE FICTION WHICH SHE EXPECTS EVERY PENSIONER TO BELIEVE

 

[mitchellowe]

See George Orwell's "Animal Farm."

Rishworth:
"Federal Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth highlighted the importance of this increase, acknowledging that 'Pension recipients are some of the most vulnerable members of our communities, many having worked all their lives contributing to our society or caring for a loved one.' "

Have you ever heard such dribble?

Wonder who writes her speeches and press releases.
And what's her annual salary for such comforting thoughts?

The Guardian had this to say:
“Many of these office holders do not expect or require that monetary compensation for their roles in the public sector be set at private sector levels. Rather, office holders serve for the public good and the opportunity to influence economic and social policy initiatives.”

Good stuff.
Risible really.
Again - who writes this stuff.
Australian welfare rates will not be decided until the June quarter ends, and not announced until third week September (roughly).

Welfare is welcomed of course, but one can't help but look over the fence when one sees that the % increases are NOT designed to improve one's well-being. The Gov Gen will receive nearly $200k increase.

Sheesh! Her rent must really have gone up this year!!

We all know that 3.5% is well under the cost of living, since rents are a cost of living, yet outstrip all welfare metrics.

Perhaps it's time for an overhaul and a bit of 'catch-up' eh?
Last rent supplement: 88 cents/week!! Get that: Not even a full dollar!!

i know all GOVT OFFICIALS LIE AND ESPECIALLY ABOUT THE CPI
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME WAS THE CPI WAS %1.8
never is when for years
AMANDA RISHWORTH IS AN OUT AND OUT LIER
IF INFLATION IS %1.8 then why was her last payrise more than double that plus her tax cuts HER tax cuts alone are at least 5 times more than pensioners received in last 10 months
IF THERE WAS A DISEASE WHICH ONLY KILLED POLITICIANS THEN WE WOULD NOT HAVE A GOVT AND I BET THEY WOULD FIND THE MONEY TO MAKE A CURE UT NOT BEFORE THEY LINE THEIR POCKETS FIRST