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!

 

[Bowler]

Wow a whole cup of coffee once a fortnight I’m so grateful

 

[Veggiepatch]

Danielle F. wrote:
"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."

Danielle - instead of writing propaganda for the Labor Party, with your lies that the govt is "trying" to ease anything ... why not help organise Pensioners and Seniors into a Lobby group that confronts governments and actually DOES something positive for ourselves?

You could write a story about how the Australian Pensioners League has been taken over by Political sycophants and does n-o-t-h-i-n-g for people who have given their all to the country and now rely on welfare to survive.

I will never become a financial member of this site while it publishes such rubbish stories, somehow encouraging vulnerable people to become outraged, but then offers nothing of any use to change these outrageous conditions imposed on us by msuccessive out of touch politicians.

How many of us have written a letter [e-v-e-r] to a politician or their local member?

Why not publish helpful articles, showing how to write to a politician and how to locate their office, phone numbers etc.
Writing emails to politicians is useless - they take no notice.
But they still do respond to letters.

SDC is just a stirring organisation.
I do not come here for the help, or ythe discounts - only wealthy people can take advantage of discounted items they do not usually buy or need.

SDC needs a rocket under it - wake up Danielle F. and begin to actually show you have a conscience and compassion for the people you are earning a living from.
This latest rubbish from you is laughable ... so pathetic.

The other alternative is to read the codswallop spewed out by the likes of Sky News Australia? Murdocracy at work!

I'm rolling on the floor, while trying not to piss myself laughing!

 

[Veggiepatch]

My Jobseeker payment increased by 0.57% of a cup of coffee!

Who gives a flying f**k about coffee? Is it the new currency of Australia?

I will go out this morning and buy a new Tesla Y for C32500!

 

[Ingot]

The other alternative is to read the codswallop spewed out by the likes of Sky News Australia? Murdocracy at work!

I'm rolling on the floor, while trying not to piss myself laughing!

Agree Veggie
Biiiig Overhaul of the press needed.

 

[Jean55]

I’m new to Australia, can someone explain the INDUE card that has been mentioned here. Thanks

 

[Sherril54]

We need to vote shortly so put Labor & Greens last! We got bigger increases under Liberal! This is an absolute joke!

Like what increases under the Liberal`s? there was extras while COVID was ravaging, but from my experience Liberal`s and Co cut back on everthing that would affect the ordinary person. All public services were cut back, health education, social services,other pubic services were obliterated in favour of privatisation, more tax breaks for big business. Unless you were well healed you had to pay for everything yourself, inflation rose to 6.1% and as far as housing goes, mostly all politicians should be implicated in the rising costs of housing because they themselves were also investing heavily in real estate which forced prices up. The pending possible leader of Australia Mr Dutton has made a fortune out of his real estate portfolio!.

 

[Veggiepatch]

I’m new to Australia, can someone explain the INDUE card that has been mentioned here. Thanks

Have a read of this. Straight from the Department of Social Services, not some blog of BS.

https://engage.dss.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/CDC-consultation-QA-booklet_Aug-2017.pdf

 

[Ingot]

I’m new to Australia, can someone explain the INDUE card that has been mentioned here. Thanks

Welcome to the Lucky Country Jean55.
Where are you from - France?

Google your question.

They restrict what you can spend the fortnightly allowance on.
No tobacco
No gambling
No alcohol
Every purchase approved.
Purchases only from approved stores
No eating out at pubs

Need to know more?
Contact your local Centrelink Office - they are already preparing for it.

 

[IAN3005]

Please stay with your pitiful party. You are so partisan that you cannot see how paltry and insulting it is especially when the CPI adjustment is delayed. You were never going to vote any other way no matter how bad the current government performed and boy have they been terrible with rampaging inflation and therefore additional costs wasting on 36,000 increase in public servants. These jobs were created because the Ministers of this government don’t know what to do so they need more help.

Old potato head is no better.....

 

[Veggiepatch]

You asked for it!

 

[Bridgit]

Just imagine of the Libs get in..they have stated the INDUE Card will be implemented for ALL Centrelink recipients Australia wide! Including Pensioners.
Msm and the Libs are VERY quiet about it, but Dutton and others this year have reinterated this.
NO thankyou very much!

As it stands anyone can opt to go on it ... primarily it is for the Indigenous cohort for obvious reasons ... as for the rest of us we can if we wish or we won't apply to go on it ... nowhere have I seen what you are saying ... so proof to backup your statement would be beneficial and if there is no proof then stop putting up nonsense.

 

[Phantom55]

I'm not ungrateful and appreciate every cent I receive but this is an absolute joke. I keep a budget spreadsheet to ensure I can afford to live on my pension but I have to say I am struggling. I update it every time we receive an increase as well as when my costs go up. In the past 12 months my cost for everything has increased $130 pa. It would have been $170 but thankfully I was able to get a reduction on 2 of my bills. This increase does not include my groceries. I don't drink or smoke, don't buy coffee very often and only go out once a week to catch up with friends so that I don't go insane. Every week when I shop I see the bracket creep in some of my groceries. What I used to be able to buy for $80 now costs $130 and I don't live extravagantly. I know things go up but between the rate they are increasing in price and decreasing in size it won't be long before we can't afford to eat and I'm sure are those that are already experiencing that. I suspect that it won't be long before the $4.60 won't even cover the cost of that loaf of bread.

HEAR HEAR

 

[darrellh]

We need to vote shortly so put Labor & Greens last! We got bigger increases under Liberal! This is an absolute joke!

But if memory serves me correctly and feel free to let me know if I am wrong the Coalition looks after the ones with money first and foremost. Nobody looks after the pensioners and gives them a decent rise to deal with the cost of living and I doubt it is ever going to happen. You can only tighten your belts so much and there are always critical bills so not easy and this rise is not going to help.

 

[Phantom55]

You asked for it!

View attachment 70307

why ..after the election.....is it going to be that bad?

 

[DLHM]

Danielle F. wrote:
"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."

Relief?
Trying to ease?

Yet $2.4 Billion to partly buy a steel company???

Danielle - instead of writing propaganda for the Labor Party, with your lies that the govt is "trying" to ease anything ... why not help organise Pensioners and Seniors into a Lobby group that confronts governments and actually DOES something positive for ourselves?

You could write a story about how the Australian Pensioners League has been taken over by Political sycophants and does n-o-t-h-i-n-g for people who have given their all to the country and now rely on welfare to survive.

I will never become a financial member of this site while it publishes such rubbish stories, somehow encouraging vulnerable people to become outraged, but then offers nothing of any use to change these outrageous conditions imposed on us by successive out of touch politicians.

How many of us have written a letter [e-v-e-r] to a politician or their local member?

Why not publish helpful articles, showing how to write to a politician and how to locate their office, phone numbers etc.
Writing emails to politicians is useless - they take no notice.
But they still do respond to letters.

SDC is just a stirring organisation.
I do not come here for the help, or the discounts - only wealthy people can take advantage of discounted items they do not usually buy or need.

SDC needs a rocket under it - wake up Danielle F. and begin to actually show you have a conscience and compassion for the people you are earning a living from.
This latest rubbish from you is laughable ... so pathetic.

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.

 

[Rickcb63]

Better off being an illegal immigrant !!
You‘ll get more money from the Australian Government if you need bombs and weaponry !!

 

[Janice McKay]

Oh whoopee. Being on the Married Age Pension this is really going to help NOT. Get real people. Do you give yourselves such a small increase when you get a pay rise, NO. So don't make out this is huge. It's NOT.

 

[Bridgit]

It just goes to show they don't have any idea how that nis going to help us pensioners that increase is a BIG joke, just my grocery shopping has gone from $200 to $400 a fortnight and that is just the basics no luxury items, it's Easey to see thay don't do the shopping

I don't spend that for 2 of us and I buy meat/vege/fruit/bread/pantry items/cleaning items/laundry all of the usual suspects and keep my bill to $260 - $300 and I shop at Woolies - most of my meat I buy at IGA - we don't have meat for every meal as at our age we need quality not quantity - in winter we have a lot of soup made with everything but the kitchen sink 2-3 times a week and in summer we eat salads almost every day plus meat of some description 4 nights per week - other nights stirfry-quiche-bacon sandwich etc.

 

[Rickcb63]

We need to vote shortly so put Labor & Greens last! We got bigger increases under Liberal! This is an absolute joke!

Labour and Greens last , and liberals down there also !
we need to get rid of these 2 parties !

 

[NoNoNoNoNoNo]

as usual the increase is a drop in the bucket adding to the droop in the bucket and does absolutely nothing to help anyone on pensions or employment benefits. Typical