The federal government unveiled its mid-year budget on Tuesday, just a few weeks from the upcoming federal election.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg reported the government's financial priorities, which include relief for the rising cost of living, a long-term economic plan that creates more jobs, investments in essential services, and stronger defence and national security.

The government also announced a one-off cash payment of $250 to about six million Australians who are pensioners and concession cardholders in a bid to aid them with the ongoing price hikes on essentials.

The federal government announced the one-off cash payment of $250 to Centrelink recipients, including pensioners and self-funded retirees. Credit: Mick Tsikas/AAP Images.​

Other eligible recipients of the payment include carers, veterans, job seekers, and eligible self-funded retirees.

It was said that the federal government allocated a budget of $1.5 billion for the one-time payment, highlighting that the funds will automatically be paid out to recipients in April.

Additionally, disability support pension and carer payment rates were reported to increase by about $20 a fortnight for singles and $30 for couples.

It is expected that a similar increase will be observed again in September.

While some people consider the news a "win" for them, advocacy groups called out the government for the "insufficient" financial support.

Advocacy organisations National Seniors Australia and The Anti-Poverty Centre pointed out that the payments will "not have much long-term impact".

The Anti-Poverty Centre spokesperson Kristin O'Connell said: "People are talking about it being a week's rent, or a few weeks of groceries."

"It will do practically nothing."

Ms O'Connell also questioned the timing of the payment, saying that it is suspicious that the recipients will receive the payments by next month, just a few weeks ahead of the upcoming election.

"This payment is going into the pockets of six million people right before an election. It's very little money, but it's coming just before they go to the ballot box," she said.

Advocacy groups slammed the federal government for its “insufficient” financial support to pensioners and other Centrelink recipients. Credit: AAP.​

Meanwhile, National Seniors chief advocate Ian Henschke said that while pensioners would accept the cash payment, the amount is not enough to cover their needs.

"However, if a landlord increases rent by as little as $5 a week, this money is gone — and rent is only one example," he quipped.

What are your thoughts on this? Do you think the amount is enough to cover a pensioner's needs, especially with the ongoing price hikes? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

 

[Dolphin]

Federal government announced $250 one-off cash payment for pensioners, advocacy groups slam the government for “insufficient” financial aid​

The federal government unveiled its mid-year budget on Tuesday, just a few weeks from the upcoming federal election.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg reported the government's financial priorities, which include relief for the rising cost of living, a long-term economic plan that creates more jobs, investments in essential services, and stronger defence and national security.

The government also announced a one-off cash payment of $250 to about six million Australians who are pensioners and concession cardholders in a bid to aid them with the ongoing price hikes on essentials.

The federal government announced the one-off cash payment of $250 to Centrelink recipients, including pensioners and self-funded retirees. Credit: Mick Tsikas/AAP Images.​

Other eligible recipients of the payment include carers, veterans, job seekers, and eligible self-funded retirees.

It was said that the federal government allocated a budget of $1.5 billion for the one-time payment, highlighting that the funds will automatically be paid out to recipients in April.

Additionally, disability support pension and carer payment rates were reported to increase by about $20 a fortnight for singles and $30 for couples.

It is expected that a similar increase will be observed again in September.

While some people consider the news a "win" for them, advocacy groups called out the government for the "insufficient" financial support.

Advocacy organisations National Seniors Australia and The Anti-Poverty Centre pointed out that the payments will "not have much long-term impact".

The Anti-Poverty Centre spokesperson Kristin O'Connell said: "People are talking about it being a week's rent, or a few weeks of groceries."

"It will do practically nothing."

Ms O'Connell also questioned the timing of the payment, saying that it is suspicious that the recipients will receive the payments by next month, just a few weeks ahead of the upcoming election.

"This payment is going into the pockets of six million people right before an election. It's very little money, but it's coming just before they go to the ballot box," she said.

Advocacy groups slammed the federal government for its “insufficient” financial support to pensioners and other Centrelink recipients. Credit: AAP.​

Meanwhile, National Seniors chief advocate Ian Henschke said that while pensioners would accept the cash payment, the amount is not enough to cover their needs.

"However, if a landlord increases rent by as little as $5 a week, this money is gone — and rent is only one example," he quipped.

What are your thoughts on this? Do you think the amount is enough to cover a pensioner's needs, especially with the ongoing price hikes? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

It is just to try & sweeten us up before the election. It won't even cover the added expences we are paying with the increase in fuew & food.

 

[APapaz]

Count your blessings people!! There are others in this world doing it much tougher than you.

 

[Rota Williams]

That's just under $5 per week. Is this a joke??? An election ploy???
Time for seniors and pensioners to mobilise and get message across to Politicians, we worked our fair share and deserve better

 

[Si1810]

This is very much a slap in the face to carers. Our rent increased by $15 per week, our medication bill has increased by $14.50 a week, our fuel bill has skyrocketed by $30 a week, electricity up by $7 a week, gas up by $6 a week, a total of $72, yet the government seems to think $20 a fortnight and the odd handout of $250 will make things better?

 

[Plastic Druid]

For those who depend on social security to cover the rising cost of living a $250 one-off payment is just a slap in the face. It's pretty obvious that the government is desperate to win the election and has no strategy to deal with anything that comes afterwards.

 

[Senior gold]

We were frugal during our working lives but lived comfortably and saved for our retirement so the $250 is a bonus. The government is not a BANK so be thankful for what you get.

 

[Hullsey]

Federal government announced $250 one-off cash payment for pensioners, advocacy groups slam the government for “insufficient” financial aid​

The federal government unveiled its mid-year budget on Tuesday, just a few weeks from the upcoming federal election.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg reported the government's financial priorities, which include relief for the rising cost of living, a long-term economic plan that creates more jobs, investments in essential services, and stronger defence and national security.

The government also announced a one-off cash payment of $250 to about six million Australians who are pensioners and concession cardholders in a bid to aid them with the ongoing price hikes on essentials.

The federal government announced the one-off cash payment of $250 to Centrelink recipients, including pensioners and self-funded retirees. Credit: Mick Tsikas/AAP Images.​

Other eligible recipients of the payment include carers, veterans, job seekers, and eligible self-funded retirees.

It was said that the federal government allocated a budget of $1.5 billion for the one-time payment, highlighting that the funds will automatically be paid out to recipients in April.

Additionally, disability support pension and carer payment rates were reported to increase by about $20 a fortnight for singles and $30 for couples.

It is expected that a similar increase will be observed again in September.

While some people consider the news a "win" for them, advocacy groups called out the government for the "insufficient" financial support.

Advocacy organisations National Seniors Australia and The Anti-Poverty Centre pointed out that the payments will "not have much long-term impact".

The Anti-Poverty Centre spokesperson Kristin O'Connell said: "People are talking about it being a week's rent, or a few weeks of groceries."

"It will do practically nothing."

Ms O'Connell also questioned the timing of the payment, saying that it is suspicious that the recipients will receive the payments by next month, just a few weeks ahead of the upcoming election.

"This payment is going into the pockets of six million people right before an election. It's very little money, but it's coming just before they go to the ballot box," she said.

Advocacy groups slammed the federal government for its “insufficient” financial support to pensioners and other Centrelink recipients. Credit: AAP.​

Meanwhile, National Seniors chief advocate Ian Henschke said that while pensioners would accept the cash payment, the amount is not enough to cover their needs.

"However, if a landlord increases rent by as little as $5 a week, this money is gone — and rent is only one example," he quipped.

What are your thoughts on this? Do you think the amount is enough to cover a pensioner's needs, especially with the ongoing price hikes? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Scattering a few lousy crumbs, hoping that pensioners will be gullible enough to accept this pittance and vote for the LNP. Welk this pensioner won’t!

 

[Sunshine45]

Politicians should not receive lifetime pensions....they get good salaries so could add to their super like we have to.
But by the same token if SOME people stopped rorting the NDIDS, disability pensions etc there would be more $ to go around for those in genuine need.

 

[Vi]

Federal government announced $250 one-off cash payment for pensioners, advocacy groups slam the government for “insufficient” financial aid​

The federal government unveiled its mid-year budget on Tuesday, just a few weeks from the upcoming federal election.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg reported the government's financial priorities, which include relief for the rising cost of living, a long-term economic plan that creates more jobs, investments in essential services, and stronger defence and national security.

The government also announced a one-off cash payment of $250 to about six million Australians who are pensioners and concession cardholders in a bid to aid them with the ongoing price hikes on essentials.

The federal government announced the one-off cash payment of $250 to Centrelink recipients, including pensioners and self-funded retirees. Credit: Mick Tsikas/AAP Images.​

Other eligible recipients of the payment include carers, veterans, job seekers, and eligible self-funded retirees.

It was said that the federal government allocated a budget of $1.5 billion for the one-time payment, highlighting that the funds will automatically be paid out to recipients in April.

Additionally, disability support pension and carer payment rates were reported to increase by about $20 a fortnight for singles and $30 for couples.

It is expected that a similar increase will be observed again in September.

While some people consider the news a "win" for them, advocacy groups called out the government for the "insufficient" financial support.

Advocacy organisations National Seniors Australia and The Anti-Poverty Centre pointed out that the payments will "not have much long-term impact".

The Anti-Poverty Centre spokesperson Kristin O'Connell said: "People are talking about it being a week's rent, or a few weeks of groceries."

"It will do practically nothing."

Ms O'Connell also questioned the timing of the payment, saying that it is suspicious that the recipients will receive the payments by next month, just a few weeks ahead of the upcoming election.

"This payment is going into the pockets of six million people right before an election. It's very little money, but it's coming just before they go to the ballot box," she said.

Advocacy groups slammed the federal government for its “insufficient” financial support to pensioners and other Centrelink recipients. Credit: AAP.​

Meanwhile, National Seniors chief advocate Ian Henschke said that while pensioners would accept the cash payment, the amount is not enough to cover their needs.

"However, if a landlord increases rent by as little as $5 a week, this money is gone — and rent is only one example," he quipped.

What are your thoughts on this? Do you think the amount is enough to cover a pensioner's needs, especially with the ongoing price hikes? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

No I live in gov housing and I rent goes up by 25 % so we will lose more out of aged pension

 

[Mretschlag]

Federal government announced $250 one-off cash payment for pensioners, advocacy groups slam the government for “insufficient” financial aid​

The federal government unveiled its mid-year budget on Tuesday, just a few weeks from the upcoming federal election.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg reported the government's financial priorities, which include relief for the rising cost of living, a long-term economic plan that creates more jobs, investments in essential services, and stronger defence and national security.

The government also announced a one-off cash payment of $250 to about six million Australians who are pensioners and concession cardholders in a bid to aid them with the ongoing price hikes on essentials.

The federal government announced the one-off cash payment of $250 to Centrelink recipients, including pensioners and self-funded retirees. Credit: Mick Tsikas/AAP Images.​

Other eligible recipients of the payment include carers, veterans, job seekers, and eligible self-funded retirees.

It was said that the federal government allocated a budget of $1.5 billion for the one-time payment, highlighting that the funds will automatically be paid out to recipients in April.

Additionally, disability support pension and carer payment rates were reported to increase by about $20 a fortnight for singles and $30 for couples.

It is expected that a similar increase will be observed again in September.

While some people consider the news a "win" for them, advocacy groups called out the government for the "insufficient" financial support.

Advocacy organisations National Seniors Australia and The Anti-Poverty Centre pointed out that the payments will "not have much long-term impact".

The Anti-Poverty Centre spokesperson Kristin O'Connell said: "People are talking about it being a week's rent, or a few weeks of groceries."

"It will do practically nothing."

Ms O'Connell also questioned the timing of the payment, saying that it is suspicious that the recipients will receive the payments by next month, just a few weeks ahead of the upcoming election.

"This payment is going into the pockets of six million people right before an election. It's very little money, but it's coming just before they go to the ballot box," she said.

Advocacy groups slammed the federal government for its “insufficient” financial support to pensioners and other Centrelink recipients. Credit: AAP.​

Meanwhile, National Seniors chief advocate Ian Henschke said that while pensioners would accept the cash payment, the amount is not enough to cover their needs.

"However, if a landlord increases rent by as little as $5 a week, this money is gone — and rent is only one example," he quipped.

What are your thoughts on this? Do you think the amount is enough to cover a pensioner's needs, especially with the ongoing price hikes? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

 

[christine_morrissy@yahoo.]

Federal government announced $250 one-off cash payment for pensioners, advocacy groups slam the government for “insufficient” financial aid​

The federal government unveiled its mid-year budget on Tuesday, just a few weeks from the upcoming federal election.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg reported the government's financial priorities, which include relief for the rising cost of living, a long-term economic plan that creates more jobs, investments in essential services, and stronger defence and national security.

The government also announced a one-off cash payment of $250 to about six million Australians who are pensioners and concession cardholders in a bid to aid them with the ongoing price hikes on essentials.

The federal government announced the one-off cash payment of $250 to Centrelink recipients, including pensioners and self-funded retirees. Credit: Mick Tsikas/AAP Images.​

Other eligible recipients of the payment include carers, veterans, job seekers, and eligible self-funded retirees.

It was said that the federal government allocated a budget of $1.5 billion for the one-time payment, highlighting that the funds will automatically be paid out to recipients in April.

Additionally, disability support pension and carer payment rates were reported to increase by about $20 a fortnight for singles and $30 for couples.

It is expected that a similar increase will be observed again in September.

While some people consider the news a "win" for them, advocacy groups called out the government for the "insufficient" financial support.

Advocacy organisations National Seniors Australia and The Anti-Poverty Centre pointed out that the payments will "not have much long-term impact".

The Anti-Poverty Centre spokesperson Kristin O'Connell said: "People are talking about it being a week's rent, or a few weeks of groceries."

"It will do practically nothing."

Ms O'Connell also questioned the timing of the payment, saying that it is suspicious that the recipients will receive the payments by next month, just a few weeks ahead of the upcoming election.

"This payment is going into the pockets of six million people right before an election. It's very little money, but it's coming just before they go to the ballot box," she said.

Advocacy groups slammed the federal government for its “insufficient” financial support to pensioners and other Centrelink recipients. Credit: AAP.​

Meanwhile, National Seniors chief advocate Ian Henschke said that while pensioners would accept the cash payment, the amount is not enough to cover their needs.

"However, if a landlord increases rent by as little as $5 a week, this money is gone — and rent is only one example," he quipped.

What are your thoughts on this? Do you think the amount is enough to cover a pensioner's needs, especially with the ongoing price hikes? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Any

Let's label this $250.00 and give it's rightful title a sweetener a a vote getter, yes I'm happy to receive this money, I will put towards my savings so I can get the car serviced. But it is bloody insult to our intelligence, to say it is going to help with the cost of living , hope everyone has a great Easter

$250 will help towards my car registration and a service - a bit! I paid taxes for 48 years, but now I'm seen as an easy to fool oldie who can easily be disregarded. I guess this is about the amount the Treasurer claims for lunch money each day - yet he and his colleagues tell us that it will lighten our load as we attempt to cover increasing rent, increasing food prices, medical costs etc etc.

 

[Mars]

$250.00 wont last long you only need one bill to come in and it's gone also the same applies when we get a rise in pension, your lucky if it covers a cup of coffee

 

[Esma Rose]

Dare I say that "Cutting your cloth according to measure" was with me since I was a teenager which has been my yardstick all my life. We are ALL different. The best of plans go awry even if you budget, especially when you have children. Of course you must teach them the basics & WE need to say NO & mean it. These last two & a half years have been difficult for ALL of us. Did those poor people expect to lose everything in the fires, the floods etc etc? From day to day you just HAVE to weather the storm & pray the next day will be better. This time we must make sure in our heart that we are voting right. Our interlect personally will be vital. GET IT AS RIGHT AS WE THINK WE CAN. We're puppets on a string & truthfully none of us are suckers. We have to stand up & fight for our future who already has been taken over by our childrens children which there is no glimmer of hope, no matter what our belief in clearing our debt. Gifting one hand & taking it back with another will get us heavier into debt as long as greed flows out of Gov't control. Another area I find daunting is Lotto claiming yet another number to be added. For every additional number to contend with, the more the Gov't loves because you have little to no hope of winning. The power of numbers will laugh all the way to Canberra. I am NOT against gambling & I am normal like you all, & in my time have worked for gambling Organisations such as the Tab, Lotto & SP when the children were old enough to leave. Now it is impossible to keep going without two incomes. Times WERE different. ..
it is insane to make comparisons between generations. I have plenty of Faith friends, but IF we don't get it right this time...........................................................
t


nspo

 

[Barraabus]

I fully agree with many pensioners regarding the $250 payment. It is ridiculous to think that it will cover ALL the rising costs of living for us. Most pensioners have worked all their lives, and this is the result of those years of devotion to the country. We grew up with those standards that working for the money you get is an honest day's work. We didn't look for handouts, we worked, but the politicians do not seem to appreciate those who put in the time and honesty and muscle power to accomplish all these jobs, they have simply given us a darn good slap in the face with such an insult. We would rather have an extra $50 a fortnight for singles and a relative amount for doubles on a fortnightly basis. Then we just might see a bit of sunlight in our lives. The pollies need to exchange positions for about 3 months with we pensioners, not getting any benefits from their positions in government, but living identically to us all. They are fat cats living lives of luxury and thinking they are hard done by. They have had better chances in life than most people and have access to investments the likes than none of we little people ever will, that fattens their wallets exponentially yearly, then on top of that, when THEY retire, they are given big fat pensions for the rest of their lives. Where is the fairness in that?!!!!

Wait till they come for your houses...