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!

 

[Leenie]

Where do the Government or the Opposition get the thought that they can control how we spend our money it is not “Their money” to dictate how we use it with the Indue card. Talk about discrimination and equal opportunity they are treating anyone on Centrelink benefits (I am on an age Pension) I retired from full time work at 70yrs having worked and paid my income taxes for 56yrs then because we weren’t able to put away much into super as it was made compulsory too late for some of us to benefit from this “initiative” now we are treated like third world citizens if the Polititions were offered a $3.50 wage rise they wouldn’t accept this yet we have no way of voicing our disapproval of this even when other say do it at the ballot box none of the parties including greens and independent give a toss for us “bloodsucking parasites” yet they weren’t shy in sending us to war to “fight for our country and our freedom” we are just like sheep have to accept decision without question it just reeks of the rich get richer stuff the rest

We need VOTERS VETO to pull these suck A—-s into line ,with WEF,UN etc pushing DIGITAL ID we will all be slaves with no voice, it’s coming these politicians are all bowing to their masters , just like they did with COVID ,wake up and smell the roses before it’s too late.

 

[Anthony Ellul]

You are a worm of lowest order.

A bully - no.

A racist - yes, only to to ethnicities who exhibit racism and violence towards me, both verbal and physical.

Mentally unbalanced - what would you know? Like many people on SDC, you are a proponent of assumption. A person who "thinks he/she knows but does not have a clue". You make shit up as you go, without any proof.

Come and look me up one day. You will be surprised.

Haha. This is laughable. Anyone who has been through this site can see you for what you are and you are as I described you. That is the proof. You even resorted to threatening to kill me. I should have also said you are a coward and I might have said it elsewhere. Even in your reply you are accusing many on SDC of being idiots simply because they disagree with your views. That is what people of little substance resort to when their views are challenged. I cannot believe that SDC allows you to pour forth your hate and threats on this website. You should have been banned when you threatened to kill me. Another good SDC suggested that I block you but I decided that you need to be held accountable for your aggression.

 

[Tipsy]

Definitely does not nearly cover the price increases of everything....

 

[IAN3005]

We need VOTERS VETO to pull these suck A—-s into line ,with WEF,UN etc pushing DIGITAL ID we will all be slaves with no voice, it’s coming these politicians are all bowing to their masters , just like they did with COVID ,wake up and smell the roses before it’s too late.

it is already too late!!!! I have been saying this for the last 6-7 years.
This was made in 2018......

 

[MDuane]

An extra $4.60 a fortnight for the single aged pension is an insult.

I read a news item about 2 weeks ago that the old age pension will have one of the biggest increases about 73 dollar a fortnight for singles. Now it’s only going to be $ 4.60.

 

[Leenie]

It's our preferences, not theirs. Don't follow any how to vote cards. Make your own choices. The power in the preferential vote is all yours.

Spot on , I don’t follow any how to vote cards ,no one is telling how or who to vote for , I decide not any political party.

 

[Wombat2u2004]

What an insulting joke to anyone on a pension. They might as well not bother. How is $2.80 supposed to relieve the cost of living? Do these people know anything about the real world? How does this Rishworth woman think that 0.50 cents to $1.12 is going to help with rent assistance? I am at a loss to even fathom how they can do this.

They are overpaid pigs, mate.

 

[Shellface]

Wow...what a miserable amount

 

[steamyjack]

These increases are a joke.They go nowhere near compensating for the C.O.L that's taken place since the last time the pension was lifted.It's a total furphy when you consider bracket creep which means more and more pensioners run the danger of having to pay tax.Especially if they have a part-time income to help them get by.

 

[GeeT]

It won't pay for even a loaf of bread a fortnight !

Why do pensioners need to update their information to get this ? It's automatic, this might confuse some people

Yes... I'm confused. The headlines says "Cash boost"
It doesn't pay for a loaf of bread let alone some milk to go with it. Have to stay with water I guess. IF we can afford that. It's disgusting to say the least!!

 

[Gabriella Pettit]

I can't believe this government what exactly can you buy with $4.50. I was forced to het health insurance because I have been waiting for surgery in a public hospital over 3 years but doing that I also have to pay 70% to Medicare/month on top of my health cover. How can anyone survive on the pention???

 

[David567]

Wow, I'm going on a world cruise.
On a serious note, this won't even cover the incoming power increase. I have to wonder how much Albosleazy's last pay rise was.

 

[Yeshewa]

This is such an insult….im on a single pension and I do a little bit of work each week to help me get by. Without this small amount of work I don’t know how id manage…I’m 75yrs of age and fortunately in very good health, however some people aren’t so fortunate, plus I own my house…it’s old though and needs work done on it…which I’m slowly doing through the bit of extra money I get each week. I don’t eat out, don’t smoke and don’t drink….i shop around for the best bargains…I meet up with friends at my Church so that’s a good way to stay in touch…I don’t buy extras and make my own cakes, biscuits etc…I eat very plain and simple and no meat, that’s just way to expensive..these Politicians need to try and live on a pension for a week, and for some taking rent money out as well!! they wouldn’t last one day let alone one week…STOP insulting people on all sorts of pensions by handing out not enough to pay for a coffee or a loaf of bread….ive had my rant…

 

[Yeshewa]

I can't believe this government what exactly can you buy with $4.50. I was forced to het health insurance because I have been waiting for surgery in a public hospital over 3 years but doing that I also have to pay 70% to Medicare/month on top of my health cover. How can anyone survive on the pention???

Oh! and yes don’t even get me started on Health Cover…I’m not able to afford private Health so once again whatever I need has to come from my pension plus the small amount I earn each week….over the last 2yrs I’ve had to SAVE for cataract surgery, blocked tear duct and a trigger finger to be done…I waited for over 3yrs on the public system to get my cataracts done and nothing! I HAD to get them done eventually as I was close to having my license taken away…as I live on my own that would have been disastrous…my general health is very good, which I’m thankful for, however I have friends who are in desperate need of a knee replacement and have been waiting for 3yrs!!! this is a joke…and to be honest I don’t believe the liberal party to be any better, they’re 2 wings of the same bird! we need to vote for the smaller independents that actually care about people so they can have their say in the House of Representatives….keep who ever is in Liberal or Labour, honest!!!

 

[Charlotte59]

This pittance of a rise is a huge kick in the teeth for all pensioners and is an insult to everyone. Even the low income earners are below the "breadline", so i have to ask, does that make pensioners beggars because we are below the "breadline". What i can't comprehend is this, we are a very fortunate country with lots of resources, yet our government see's fit to bring in imports from elsewhere across the globe. They also send our tax payers dollars overseas and to add further insult the pensioners, they give themselves exorbitant wage rises which further demoralises the less fortunate in this country, the ones that they are supposed to be caring for.

 

[IAN3005]

I read a news item about 2 weeks ago that the old age pension will have one of the biggest increases about 73 dollar a fortnight for singles. Now it’s only going to be $ 4.60.

Liers.... I would expect at least $800 a week before I would even publish the fact to make it newsworthy.... one can but dream on

 

[biribo]

THANKS! for the extra 'HALf A CUP OF COFFEE a fortnight!! Centrelink'

 

[Leenie]

I can't believe this government what exactly can you buy with $4.50. I was forced to het health insurance because I have been waiting for surgery in a public hospital over 3 years but doing that I also have to pay 70% to Medicare/month on top of my health cover. How can anyone survive on the pention???

We don’t survive, we barely exist.

 

[CemisugO]

It's not April 1st.
So this announcement should be placed in the Jokes and Funny Stories section of SDC.

It's an embarrassment to not only the Labor people in charge of the economy, but to the so-called Opposition who think this can pass to the keeper.
The Opposition should be ashamed to take their pay too - not a whimper out of them while they will be expecting pensioners to also vo0te for them.

So glad it is an election year.
Finally we get another opportunity to boot both of the major parties - neither of whom are truly representing the people .

My vote will not be wasted.
I am supporting either Libertarians or One nation or Family First in the Senate, and where they field candidates, I will be supporting them in the Lower House too.

If I don't change how I vote, I cannot change how I am governed - it is as simple and as easy as that.

i agree with you as one nation or independant are looking very good next federal election

 

[CemisugO]

Both the main political parties are not worth vboting for the independants and one nation are looking very good next federal election.