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!

 

[jsan]

Read what Veggiepatch has provided in the hyperlink re the Department of Social Services and the card I just did and it’s an eye opener
Thanks Veggiepatch I wasn’t aware of your info

 

[Veggiepatch]

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!

 

[Veggiepatch]

Read what Veggiepatch has provided in the hyperlink re the Department of Social Services and the card I just did and it’s an eye opener
Thanks Veggiepatch I wasn’t aware of your info

No worries!

I aim to help other SDC members where possible.

 

[Bridgit]

The Government should be embarrassed and ashamed to offer pensioners an increase to assist them in the cost of living, by giving them a whole $4.10. What a joke !! Voting for greens next election !!!!

That won't help you - the Greens don't give a hoot about us!

 

[Veggiepatch]

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!

 

[lAURY]

I’m going to donate $5 per month to the Salvation Army for the homeless women And be thankful for what I have. Am on full pension. Are lucky enough to own our home and don’t have to pay rent.

 

[Bridgit]

when I think of the years I worked all that overtime paying all that extra tax and for the gov to sh*^# in my face missed out on superannuation and all what an insult

Dutton might do an abbot and dive in the pension fund would not put that past him

There is no pension fund - that got spent many years ago by Labor!

 

[Ingot]

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.

You won't be forced to go on it. But you won't get paid until you do.
But like working during covid, you won't have to take the injection ... but say goodbye to your job.
That happened to me. I was forced to retire and go on aged pension.
You won't be forced to have a digital ID - it is totally voluntary ... but you won't be able to be on Centrelink, have a bank account or get a tax return until you do.
They know how to get us ... we have to eat.

 

[Veggiepatch]

I’m going to donate $5 per month to the Salvation Army for the homeless women And be thankful for what I have. Am on full pension. Are lucky enough to own our home and don’t have to pay rent.

That's right!

Homeless men don't exist....

 

[Macarj]

They did say nothing was ever going to be easy under albanese, it's a joke.

It would be the same rise under both parties

 

[Veggiepatch]

There is no pension fund - that got spent many years ago by Labor!

A pension fund is called SUPERANNUATION.

The government, in any shape or form, CANNOT touch it.

 

[NANO]

$ 3.10 won't buy a cup of coffee

 

[NANO]

OMG what a joke. How is this going to help us all who are on the disability pension.

This is a fortnight... weekly we are receiving only $ 1.55 !!!!

 

[NANO]

This is only $ 2.30 a

$4.60 doesn't cover the cost of my loaf of bread as it went up in price to over $5 last week.

week

 

[Veggiepatch]

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.

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!

 

[lozza47]

What a joke, $3.50 a fortnight, thats $1.75 a week ??? what does that buy, how does that help with the cost of living ??? our grocery bill has risen over $30.00 a week, but then again its Election time, not much gets done until Election time and then all the promises and "we will" comes out, in the meantime we suffer until Election time and even then the promises fall off the track, mmmmmmmmmmmmm????????????????

 

[wattorjw]

Wow all that money they will go out and buy half a cup of coffee every pay day now and you have the gall to make it sound soo much money its no where near the doctored inflation rate hell pensioners will afford another tin of baked beans every fortnight now pathetic no other words to describe it

 

[mOiOz]

You won't be forced to go on it. But you won't get paid until you do.
But like working during covid, you won't have to take the injection ... but say goodbye to your job.
That happened to me. I was forced to retire and go on aged pension.
You won't be forced to have a digital ID - it is totally voluntary ... but you won't be able to be on Centrelink, have a bank account or get a tax return until you do.
They know how to get us ... we have to eat.

I too was forced to retire and wait 7 years for a pension (living off and depleting my entire super at that time) due to a work accident (in a government job) at age 49.
After an almost 5-year legal case and near breakdown, the only salvation is that I won and purchased a modest home with the entire compensation.
Having been extremely healthy and active, all my life, I never dreamed of being on any type of pension and genuinely proposed working until at least 80!
Now that I'm on disability and Aged Care, I have to rely on our government more than ever..., something I will never get used to!
As for your comments about voting for any party other than Labour or Liberal, I totally agree, but we all know that neither will get the votes to reign and will always end up with one of the 2 larger parties.
So, what next?

 

[Littleboy8]

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.

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

 

[Mr John McManus]

What can you buy for 4.20? What a joke!