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!

 

[Veggiepatch]

What can you buy for 4.20? What a joke!

Four packets of Woolworths Essentials Pasta 500 gram varieties and have 20 cents left over.

Quit your moaning....

 

[MAZERATTI]

$4.60. If they think that pittance is significant enough to make a difference to us then maybe we should donate it back to them so they can FEEL the insult for themselves.

 

[DLHM]

The whingers are crawling out of the woodwork today! Be thankful you weren’t born in a country where there are no government handouts.

 

[DLHM]

$4.60. If they think that pittance is significant enough to make a difference to us then maybe we should donate it back to them so they can FEEL the insult for themselves.

Go ahead, what’s stopping you?

 

[Veggiepatch]

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.

 

[MAZERATTI]

The whingers are crawling out of the woodwork today! Be thankful you weren’t born in a country where there are no government handouts.

But we weren't, the people who were born in this Country and worked our asses off all our lives and paid our taxes all our lives have a right to expect a decent pension. Those of us who worked before the introduction of superannuation are way behind the 8 ball. How is it fair that the people who swanned into this country later in their working lives and now call themselves Aussies but who didn't contribute as much by way of taxes are still allowed to claim the full pension.

 

[Johnnie boy]

So thankful for an increase. Now I’ll be able to buy a bit more food. Thank goodness I own my home or I’d be out on the streets. Pity doctors don’t build bill more often. Glad I’m reasonably healthy.

 

[Johnnie boy]

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.

 

[MAZERATTI]

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 bottom line is ALL countries are responsible for their own population. It's not for other countries to intervene except for natural disasters.

 

[Johnnie boy]

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.

Well what’s that got to do with us? If we lived in the jungle we wouldn’t have to bother about electricity. That statement has absolutely nothing to do with our lives. Fed up of people reminding us of totally inappropriate things

 

[Johnnie boy]

Totally inappropriate issues

 

[Rain72]

Tabby you are very active in support of the ALP incompetents but you are not addressing the overwhelming disgust that the SDC members have rightly highlighted with this automatic but paltry adjustment. They can suddenly find 3 billion to give the Marxist government in Victoria for their Big Build fiasco as well as money for other doubtful causes but not for pensioners or even the unemployed. We all should know that you are a paid ALP stooge employed to try to bolster their election chances but the increase is indeed pitiful and everyone can see it.

Thanks Anthony. We should also all note that the ALP has plenty of money to throw at a failed plan to build more houses. Millions spent. Not a single house constructed.

 

[Rain72]

Crawl back under your rock, Beany.
Most of us are smart enough to see you are a sycophant for Labor.

They can do a lot.
They just Nationalised Whyalla Steel with a lazy $2.4 BILLION pulled out of the skid-marks on Albo's undies.

Labor is a lazy, out-of-touch yesterday's party that was organised under a Coolibah tree beside a Billabong in the 1890s. They are now hacks for the over-paid Union Bosses, and have NO compassion for those who vote for them.
Liberals the same - not recognisable from any root or branch of Menzies' conservatives.
And more in touch with their Real Estate portfolios and Shares than the needs of constituents.

New energy is needed.
Independent Reps.
Freedom parties like Libertarians and One Nation and Family First.
The balance of power needs to change. We need more hung parliaments to get things done well.
Stop the subsidies for the overseas mining companies.
Ditch renewables before we are slaves to it - ask South Australians - [the State with the most renewable energy] - if their renewable electricity is cheaper. It's the most expensive in the Nation.
Almost all renewable windmills etc are contracted to OVERSEAS builders for $Billions.
Thanks Labor.
We have the means to do it ourselves, but Labor lacks leaders with guts - Albanese could not even confront the Chinese when 4 times their jets dropped flares in front of our craft, and threatened our military and Navy aircraft on legitimate flights. (2022, 2023, 2024,2025)

He said "it was raised at the appropriate level" but refused to say if he had raised it with his meeting with Xi Jinping (because he didn't have the cajones to shirt-front him).

The Chinese Navy sails down Australia's East Coast ... and we didn't even send a boat or a plane out to have a look - all we saw were stock photos.
Meanwhile domestic flights were diverted for safety reasons (between Auckland and Australia) when the Chinese conducted live firing exercises near flight paths.
What's that about?
Why not do their live firing in their own back yards?
Richard Marles is a boy doing a man's job ... badly!
He should have been all over the Chinese ... instead ... crickets!
No testosterone.

LNP would have been the same.
We need people with Integrity and Guts to lead us in the interests of the people ... the Nation.
Labor has shown in just one term ... they aren't across the issues, and they are not cutting it.

So you see now why pensioners are disappointed and angry?
They keep voting for governments that enrich those elected, but on those who loyally support them. We get insulted with a loaf of bread or half a coffee a fortnight, but people will continue to vote the same duopoly back into power.
Insane country Australia.

Labor knows they do not need the pensioner vote.
Nor do the LNP need us.
They just bring in migrant voters and fund them from taxpayers money, and put them in Taxpayer's houses.
Job done.

Yes. You nailed it. The Two Party system MUST Go. That is Australia's only hope. Anyone supporting either the ALP or Libs is contributing to the destruction of our country. We need to get rid of career politicians - permanently.

 

[Rain72]

A vote for the Greens wll be the same as voting for Labor all over again.

OMG. Greens! Voting ALP is bad enough, but the ratbag extremists pushing gender lies and climate change BS? Please, no!

 

[Rain72]

My sons has just read out to me from his mobile how this Indian guy has just bought millions of dollars worth of houses then renting them off and buying more and he is not the only foreigner doing this you hear it all the time
Albo let them in and they will eventually take over everything.
They are everywhere . A few would have been ok but this is ridiculous .
lf you want that idiot in again your crazy but l suppose the damage is already done.

Tabby, how many times are you going to repeat that outright lie? Do you really thing it isn't obvious that you are an ALP stooge? Doesn't matter how often you say it, you know. IT IS STILL A LIE. And most folk here are intelligent enough to see that and to see that you are a stooge.

 

[Veggiepatch]

Fed up of people reminding us of totally inappropriate things

Such as yourself....

 

[Veggiepatch]

Yes. You nailed it. The Two Party system MUST Go. That is Australia's only hope. Anyone supporting either the ALP or Libs is contributing to the destruction of our country. We need to get rid of career politicians - permanently.

For what gain?

A bunch of incoherent fools chasing their own tails?

Sadly to say, I'd rather vote LNP.

*WASH MY MOUTH OUT!*

 

[Bezz]

What a joke, I bet the mob up in Canberra give themselves a nice big pay rise .

 

[Cherry A]

It is an absolute insult to aged pensioners

Blame the Headlines for this CASH BOOST BY SENIORS NEWS NOT FROM CENTRELINK,
Lucky no INDUE DEBIT CARD,

 

[Reet]

The increase in age pension payments will not cover the increase in grocery prices and other essentials. Are they trying to make us starve to death so they will not have to pay us anything at all. But I bet if a crowd of us were to die the rest won't get any benefit payments from that occurrence. One day the present government will get old and will find out what it is to live on such a small income. But then they have such big benefits when they retire from Government they will never have to live on a small income.