Attention Centrelink recipients — there’s a major change happening soon.

On March 6, the Cashless Debit Card (CDC) program will end and a new Enhanced Income Management system will come into effect.

‘Enhanced Income Management helps you budget your payments from us,’ Services Australia said.

‘It also helps you meet essential household needs and expenses, like food, rent, bills and education.’

‘You access your enhanced Income Management account with your SmartCard.’

More than 16,000 eligible participants nationwide will be sent letters containing further details before the program lapses.

The new changes announced by the government for CDC participants will take effect in March. Image Credit: flickr

‘For now, you keep using your CDC until you get a new SmartCard, which looks and works like a regular bank debit card,’ Services Australia added.

Participants who will opt to get the new SmartCard will need to go to their respective service centre or agent to avail of the change.

According to the Department of Social Services (DSS), the Enhanced Income Management program also widens the current exclusions on alcohol, gambling, and cash withdrawal.

Under the new program, tobacco and pornographic materials have also been disallowed from purchase.

It’s also important to note that people who live in the Northern Territory or Cape York and Doomadgee (QLD) and have a CDC will be switched to the new system.

‘If you are on Income Management and have a BasicsCard, nothing changes. You do not move to Enhanced Income Management,’ Services Australia added.

‘If you live in certain areas of Australia, you can volunteer for Enhanced Income Management and access it with a SmartCard.’

Here are relevant links per qualifying state:

• Northern Territory
• Queensland
• South Australia
• Western Australia

The DSS has also stressed it will continue to deliver CDC-related support services in the qualifying areas.

‘Funding arrangements for over 40 existing services in CDC communities have been extended,’ the department said.

Tip

Got questions about the new SmartCards? Call Services Australia at 1800 252 604 or click here to find out more!

‘A range of added supports, including those requested by communities during consultation with the Government, are also being funded. These services will be co-designed with the local community to ensure the support meets local needs, empowering local voices and decision-making.’

‘Funding will be used to support alcohol and other drug treatment that complements existing services, addresses service delivery gaps, and is consistent with the needs and expectations of the communities.’

Income management programs such as CDC have previously been criticised for failing to address the problems it means to solve like poverty or excessive alcohol use. Image Credit: Flickr

For those unfamiliar with the CDC, it’s an income management system which prevents as much as 80 per cent of welfare recipients’ money from being used on vices such as alcohol and gambling or being withdrawn in cash.

It did this by splitting welfare payments in two — one chunk goes to a recipient’s regular bank account, and another goes onto their cashless debit card.

The program was first introduced around 2016 in trials in select parts of the country in Ceduna region, SA; East Kimberley and Goldfields region, WA; Bundaberg, Hervey Bay, and Cape York regions in QLD; and the NT to find out if reducing the available cash on hand in communities would lead to lower rates of welfare-related alcohol, gambling, and drug use.

The concept, however, is said to have been introduced to Australia in 2007 in the NT to help Indigenous communities in the area.

Key Takeaways

• Centrelink recipients who have been using the Cashless Debit Card (CDC) will soon receive a letter in the mail about the new income-management system coming into effect on March 6.
• Aussies who are switching over to the new SmartCard will need to visit a service centre or participating agent from March 6 to get their new card.
• Those who live in the Northern Territory, Cape York or Doomadgee who have a CDC will also move to the new system.
• The Albanese government announced in late last year it wanted to end the controversial CDC system.

Initial evaluations of the CDC program said it had a ‘considerable positive impact’ in trial communities — but a later federal government audit found that the program had a ‘lack of evidence’ to prove its effectiveness in meeting its goals.

In October of 2022, it was announced by the Labor government that the CDC will be scrapped, following through on an Albanese election promise.

In general, income management programs with similar setups — the government doles out welfare but with restrictions — have been criticised due to high administrative costs, the social stigma associated with being on a program like CDC, particularly for Indigenous Australians, and failure to address the systemic causes of problems like drug and alcohol abuse and poverty.

Now, speaking of changes, you might want to find out a couple in store for myGov after a review also found various points for improvement.

So, what are your thoughts on this most upcoming change?

Do you think that the expanded restrictions on tobacco and pornographic materials will make a difference in terms of improving the social outcomes of SmartCard recipients? Or do you think payments should be unrestricted?

Tell us your opinions below!

Source: YouTube/ABC News Australia​

 

[Col@45]

Attention Centrelink recipients — there’s a major change happening soon.

On March 6, the Cashless Debit Card (CDC) program will end and a new Enhanced Income Management system will come into effect.

‘Enhanced Income Management helps you budget your payments from us,’ Services Australia said.

‘It also helps you meet essential household needs and expenses, like food, rent, bills and education.’

‘You access your enhanced Income Management account with your SmartCard.’

More than 16,000 eligible participants nationwide will be sent letters containing further details before the program lapses.

View attachment 13195

The new changes announced by the government for CDC participants will take effect in March. Image Credit: flickr

‘For now, you keep using your CDC until you get a new SmartCard, which looks and works like a regular bank debit card,’ Services Australia added.

Participants who will opt to get the new SmartCard will need to go to their respective service centre or agent to avail of the change.

According to the Department of Social Services (DSS), the Enhanced Income Management program also widens the current exclusions on alcohol, gambling, and cash withdrawal.

Under the new program, tobacco and pornographic materials have also been disallowed from purchase.

It’s also important to note that people who live in the Northern Territory or Cape York and Doomadgee (QLD) and have a CDC will be switched to the new system.

‘If you are on Income Management and have a BasicsCard, nothing changes. You do not move to Enhanced Income Management,’ Services Australia added.

‘If you live in certain areas of Australia, you can volunteer for Enhanced Income Management and access it with a SmartCard.’

Here are relevant links per qualifying state:

• Northern Territory
• Queensland
• South Australia
• Western Australia

The DSS has also stressed it will continue to deliver CDC-related support services in the qualifying areas.

‘Funding arrangements for over 40 existing services in CDC communities have been extended,’ the department said.

Tip

Got questions about the new SmartCards? Call Services Australia at 1800 252 604 or click here to find out more!

‘A range of added supports, including those requested by communities during consultation with the Government, are also being funded. These services will be co-designed with the local community to ensure the support meets local needs, empowering local voices and decision-making.’

‘Funding will be used to support alcohol and other drug treatment that complements existing services, addresses service delivery gaps, and is consistent with the needs and expectations of the communities.’

View attachment 13196

Income management programs such as CDC have previously been criticised for failing to address the problems it means to solve like poverty or excessive alcohol use. Image Credit: Flickr

For those unfamiliar with the CDC, it’s an income management system which prevents as much as 80 per cent of welfare recipients’ money from being used on vices such as alcohol and gambling or being withdrawn in cash.

It did this by splitting welfare payments in two — one chunk goes to a recipient’s regular bank account, and another goes onto their cashless debit card.

The program was first introduced around 2016 in trials in select parts of the country in Ceduna region, SA; East Kimberley and Goldfields region, WA; Bundaberg, Hervey Bay, and Cape York regions in QLD; and the NT to find out if reducing the available cash on hand in communities would lead to lower rates of welfare-related alcohol, gambling, and drug use.

The concept, however, is said to have been introduced to Australia in 2007 in the NT to help Indigenous communities in the area.

Key Takeaways

• Centrelink recipients who have been using the Cashless Debit Card (CDC) will soon receive a letter in the mail about the new income-management system coming into effect on March 6.
• Aussies who are switching over to the new SmartCard will need to visit a service centre or participating agent from March 6 to get their new card.
• Those who live in the Northern Territory, Cape York or Doomadgee who have a CDC will also move to the new system.
• The Albanese government announced in late last year it wanted to end the controversial CDC system.

Initial evaluations of the CDC program said it had a ‘considerable positive impact’ in trial communities — but a later federal government audit found that the program had a ‘lack of evidence’ to prove its effectiveness in meeting its goals.

In October of 2022, it was announced by the Labor government that the CDC will be scrapped, following through on an Albanese election promise.

In general, income management programs with similar setups — the government doles out welfare but with restrictions — have been criticised due to high administrative costs, the social stigma associated with being on a program like CDC, particularly for Indigenous Australians, and failure to address the systemic causes of problems like drug and alcohol abuse and poverty.

Now, speaking of changes, you might want to find out a couple in store for myGov after a review also found various points for improvement.

So, what are your thoughts on this most upcoming change?

Do you think that the expanded restrictions on tobacco and pornographic materials will make a difference in terms of improving the social outcomes of SmartCard recipients? Or do you think payments should be unrestricted?

Tell us your opinions below!

Source: YouTube/ABC News Australia​

Definitely any welfare payments should only be for purchasing essential items....NOT alcohol, drugs etc.

 

[Lee-Bee]

don't be so quick to pass the buck ,, it's not only Aboriginal / Australian folk ,,there are a hell of a lot of people from other countries as well on welfare,,,watching ACA one night the interviewer was speaking to an incredibly arrogant bullish man from another country who had two wives but don't remember how many children he had who claimed it was his right to have Australian welfare,,,,WHAT for both wives and possibly countless kids,,,Government need to stand up to those people and do some investigating before handing out people's hard earned money including mine..

Absolutely, payments should go to those in need, NOT to people who think it’s their right.

 

[Iggydi]

Some people, black, white or brindle just can’t seem to budget.
If this system of payment can keep a roof over family heads and healthy food on their tables, and clothes on their back, then it’s a win all round.
The children should not go without because their parents can’t manage their payment.
I work and have never bought a plastic shopping bag.
I regularly observe people on government payments buying 5-6 plastic bags when shopping. A little thing but it can still blow out a budget when added to other such wasteful purchases.
Most recipients of government payments have earned it, through hard work throughout their working life. They generally know how to budget.
Others however think the government payment is their right, even though they have never worked, just because they were born in Australia.
They are the recipients who need help to budget, for themselves and their family.

Exactly. I know of a single mum who spent most of her pay from her traineeship on getting her nails done each week, smokes and going out. She never worked a full week in the 12 months of the traineeship. She was still getting a benefit from the government and had the audacity to abuse the HR lady when she never got a full pay, because she couldn't pay the rent or buy stuff for her kids. She was one person that needed this. She would have had her rent money every fortnight.

 

[Lee-Bee]

if all the groups and individuals on benefits are so insulted by this move to help break a cycle of alcohol abuse then why don't they hand back the dole and look for work. Plenty of jobs about, stop the import of foreigners and get the poor welfare recipients some dignity and self respect by getting them work rather than sitting at home on the latest flagship mobiles with huge data plans wasting the day playing social media or xbox?
Lets not forget many schools are now providing breakfast to younger kids as the oldies are too pissed or stoned to care or have spent it all on drugs, inc alcohol and ciggies.

Yes, yes, yes.
Those “insulted” professional payment receivers have probably never worked in their life.
It’s their God given right to receive government payments, provided by the tax payer.
Oxygen thieves.

 

[siameezer]

I cannot believe the vile and nasty judgemental comments on this thread! As someone who worked in welfare for over 20 years, I can tell you the majority, the VAST majority, of people on welfare are NOT bludgers and I despise how rude you choose to be to people you don't even know! For every person who does rort the system (and they are not nearly as many as you believe), there are tens of thousands who are just trying to make ends meet ... but you choose to tar them all with the same brush. Shame on you.

 

[Butterfly]

Attention Centrelink recipients — there’s a major change happening soon.

On March 6, the Cashless Debit Card (CDC) program will end and a new Enhanced Income Management system will come into effect.

‘Enhanced Income Management helps you budget your payments from us,’ Services Australia said.

‘It also helps you meet essential household needs and expenses, like food, rent, bills and education.’

‘You access your enhanced Income Management account with your SmartCard.’

More than 16,000 eligible participants nationwide will be sent letters containing further details before the program lapses.

View attachment 13195

The new changes announced by the government for CDC participants will take effect in March. Image Credit: flickr

‘For now, you keep using your CDC until you get a new SmartCard, which looks and works like a regular bank debit card,’ Services Australia added.

Participants who will opt to get the new SmartCard will need to go to their respective service centre or agent to avail of the change.

According to the Department of Social Services (DSS), the Enhanced Income Management program also widens the current exclusions on alcohol, gambling, and cash withdrawal.

Under the new program, tobacco and pornographic materials have also been disallowed from purchase.

It’s also important to note that people who live in the Northern Territory or Cape York and Doomadgee (QLD) and have a CDC will be switched to the new system.

‘If you are on Income Management and have a BasicsCard, nothing changes. You do not move to Enhanced Income Management,’ Services Australia added.

‘If you live in certain areas of Australia, you can volunteer for Enhanced Income Management and access it with a SmartCard.’

Here are relevant links per qualifying state:

• Northern Territory
• Queensland
• South Australia
• Western Australia

The DSS has also stressed it will continue to deliver CDC-related support services in the qualifying areas.

‘Funding arrangements for over 40 existing services in CDC communities have been extended,’ the department said.

Tip

Got questions about the new SmartCards? Call Services Australia at 1800 252 604 or click here to find out more!

‘A range of added supports, including those requested by communities during consultation with the Government, are also being funded. These services will be co-designed with the local community to ensure the support meets local needs, empowering local voices and decision-making.’

‘Funding will be used to support alcohol and other drug treatment that complements existing services, addresses service delivery gaps, and is consistent with the needs and expectations of the communities.’

View attachment 13196

Income management programs such as CDC have previously been criticised for failing to address the problems it means to solve like poverty or excessive alcohol use. Image Credit: Flickr

For those unfamiliar with the CDC, it’s an income management system which prevents as much as 80 per cent of welfare recipients’ money from being used on vices such as alcohol and gambling or being withdrawn in cash.

It did this by splitting welfare payments in two — one chunk goes to a recipient’s regular bank account, and another goes onto their cashless debit card.

The program was first introduced around 2016 in trials in select parts of the country in Ceduna region, SA; East Kimberley and Goldfields region, WA; Bundaberg, Hervey Bay, and Cape York regions in QLD; and the NT to find out if reducing the available cash on hand in communities would lead to lower rates of welfare-related alcohol, gambling, and drug use.

The concept, however, is said to have been introduced to Australia in 2007 in the NT to help Indigenous communities in the area.

Key Takeaways

• Centrelink recipients who have been using the Cashless Debit Card (CDC) will soon receive a letter in the mail about the new income-management system coming into effect on March 6.
• Aussies who are switching over to the new SmartCard will need to visit a service centre or participating agent from March 6 to get their new card.
• Those who live in the Northern Territory, Cape York or Doomadgee who have a CDC will also move to the new system.
• The Albanese government announced in late last year it wanted to end the controversial CDC system.

Initial evaluations of the CDC program said it had a ‘considerable positive impact’ in trial communities — but a later federal government audit found that the program had a ‘lack of evidence’ to prove its effectiveness in meeting its goals.

In October of 2022, it was announced by the Labor government that the CDC will be scrapped, following through on an Albanese election promise.

In general, income management programs with similar setups — the government doles out welfare but with restrictions — have been criticised due to high administrative costs, the social stigma associated with being on a program like CDC, particularly for Indigenous Australians, and failure to address the systemic causes of problems like drug and alcohol abuse and poverty.

Now, speaking of changes, you might want to find out a couple in store for myGov after a review also found various points for improvement.

So, what are your thoughts on this most upcoming change?

Do you think that the expanded restrictions on tobacco and pornographic materials will make a difference in terms of improving the social outcomes of SmartCard recipients? Or do you think payments should be unrestricted?

Tell us your opinions below!

Source: YouTube/ABC News Australia​

 

[Butterfly]

I would like all the knockers of this programme live in a remote community where women and children are open to abuse because they have money. When a senior lady was in hospital and had been paid royalties she had a steady stream of visitors all with their hands out. Same applied when the elderly artist are paid - members of the family all line up.
So when you have real life experience of living and working in a community your comments are way out of line. the cashless card prevented so much humbug for the women and children.
How many of you people have even met or interacted with aboriginal people???

 

[Freeman27]

I was under the impression that those folk who struggle to cover essential living cost could utilize a payment system via centrelink called centrepay to ensure that bill were covered but they still retained their autonomy.

 

[Suzanne rose]

I cannot believe the vile and nasty judgemental comments on this thread! As someone who worked in welfare for over 20 years, I can tell you the majority, the VAST majority, of people on welfare are NOT bludgers and I despise how rude you choose to be to people you don't even know! For every person who does rort the system (and they are not nearly as many as you believe), there are tens of thousands who are just trying to make ends meet ... but you choose to tar them all with the same brush. Shame on you.

So very well said

 

[siameezer]

I would like all the knockers of this programme live in a remote community where women and children are open to abuse because they have money. When a senior lady was in hospital and had been paid royalties she had a steady stream of visitors all with their hands out. Same applied when the elderly artist are paid - members of the family all line up.
So when you have real life experience of living and working in a community your comments are way out of line. the cashless card prevented so much humbug for the women and children.
How many of you people have even met or interacted with aboriginal people???

That is no excuse to punish all Australian citizens with the use of this punitive card. You do realise that the Basics Card has not been taken away in the NT and that there is already income management there? Despite the fact the card is still in play there the problems are still occurring and that shows how ineffective the card actually is.

 

[Suzanne rose]

I strongly objected to the CDC and now this one as well. As an aged pensioner, I can budget and pay all my bills. I don't want to be told that I cannot withdraw money for what I want. I dont' smoke, drink, gamble or watch porn, so why should I have to have this. It is the Liberal Party all over again, just new name and slightly different. Put the money into fixing the health system.

It's not for pensioners but for those on welfare eg jobseeker and high risk areas know for drugs and gambling

 

[siameezer]

It's not for pensioners but for those on welfare eg jobseeker and high risk areas know for drugs and gambling

EVERYBODY, including pensioners, were targeted in the initial trials and if it ever becomes compulsory it WILL include pensioners too. In the trial areas DSP recipients of a certain age were included and Age pensioners were exempt, except in the Cape York trial area. The idea, had the government of the day been returned, was to roll it out to all welfare recipients including pensioners.

 

[Jumping Jack Flash]

don't be so quick to pass the buck ,, it's not only Aboriginal / Australian folk ,,there are a hell of a lot of people from other countries as well on welfare,,,watching ACA one night the interviewer was speaking to an incredibly arrogant bullish man from another country who had two wives but don't remember how many children he had who claimed it was his right to have Australian welfare,,,,WHAT for both wives and possibly countless kids,,,Government need to stand up to those people and do some investigating before handing out people's hard earned money including mine..

Absolutely agree with your comment ...... rorting the system ...... and what does the government do about it??? SWEET FA!

 

[PepeLePew]

I smoke cigarettes but I don't drink alcohol, do drugs and have no interest in porn and I raised my children on Centrelink payments without them EVER going without anything they needed. I lived on a very strict budget with money for all bills being part paid every fortnight. Christmas laybys went on in June at the mid yr sales and money was put aside in a Xmas Club account as well. Also budgeted in a trip to Wet 'N' Wild every yr. One other theme park was also budgeted in. If something was needed that was out of the budget then it was laybyed and budgeted into the fortnightly payments. Birthday presents were done this way as well. They also did Little Atlethics every yr. Always made sure there was a couple hundred dollars in my account in case something went wrong with an electrical item and had to get repairs done. Love, love, love 2nd hand stores so clothing was never an expense that broke the budget. I never once had to turn to anybody for help with or assistance for food or bills and still don't. Nor did I ever get an advance payment on my Centrelink payments. When I discovered I needed glasses, the optometrist had a pay off system. By the time my eldest child needed glasses they had stopped this so I started an account with them where money was paid in every fortnight. When my other children at different times needed glasses the money was there to purchase them straight away. Even bought my grandson a pair of glasses when his parents were struggling financially after a robbery.
Nowadays I just get extensions to bills to pay them off as the companies have gotten greedy and charge for part payments. I have a very bad habit now of buying for my children and grandchildren all yr round so come Xmas/birthdays they get nothing but my love & company and grandkids will get a specialised cake if they ask for one.
I now live on Job Search Allowance where I have to do 30hrs mandantory volunteer work to meet Centrelink obligations and during this time I spent 90% of my granddaughter's first 10yrs raising them without any help from their mother and now look after my 2 youngest grandsons every school holidays (they stay with me 24/7) and have never expected their parents to pay me for this as I believe it's a privledge that they trust me enough to do this.

 

[siameezer]

I smoke cigarettes but I don't drink alcohol, do drugs and have no interest in porn and I raised my children on Centrelink payments without them EVER going without anything they needed. I lived on a very strict budget with money for all bills being part paid every fortnight. Christmas laybys went on in June at the mid yr sales and money was put aside in a Xmas Club account as well. Also budgeted in a trip to Wet 'N' Wild every yr. One other theme park was also budgeted in. If something was needed that was out of the budget then it was laybyed and budgeted into the fortnightly payments. Birthday presents were done this way as well. They also did Little Atlethics every yr. Always made sure there was a couple hundred dollars in my account in case something went wrong with an electrical item and had to get repairs done. Love, love, love 2nd hand stores so clothing was never an expense that broke the budget. I never once had to turn to anybody for help with or assistance for food or bills and still don't. Nor did I ever get an advance payment on my Centrelink payments. When I discovered I needed glasses, the optometrist had a pay off system. By the time my eldest child needed glasses they had stopped this so I started an account with them where money was paid in every fortnight. When my other children at different times needed glasses the money was there to purchase them straight away. Even bought my grandson a pair of glasses when his parents were struggling financially after a robbery.
Nowadays I just get extensions to bills to pay them off as the companies have gotten greedy and charge for part payments. I have a very bad habit now of buying for my children and grandchildren all yr round so come Xmas/birthdays they get nothing but my love & company and grandkids will get a specialised cake if they ask for one.
I now live on Job Search Allowance where I have to do 30hrs mandantory volunteer work to meet Centrelink obligations and during this time I spent 90% of my granddaughter's first 10yrs raising them without any help from their mother and now look after my 2 youngest grandsons every school holidays (they stay with me 24/7) and have never expected their parents to pay me for this as I believe it's a privledge that they trust me enough to do this.

And you are the perfect example of the vast majority of people on Centrelink payments ... a decent and honest person who does all they can to make ends meet! You should be proud of yourself and I hope those automatically disparaging welfare recipients read your post and realise yours is the story of most people.

 

[gordon1940]

I totally understand the reason behind this move but I remain absolutely against any government dictating what a person can spend his/her money on. There are other, less intrusive ways of ensuring money is ethically disbursed.

Hang on! Its not"his/her" money it originated from current Tax payers and passed on as a Govt approved Benefit. All Taxpayers contribute, as they should.

 

[gordon1940]

And guess where the profits of operating the card go to..... The LIBERAL PARTY

More Facts/Information please.

 

[Cool Bat]

I don't drink alcohol, I don't smoke, I don't use illegal drugs, I don't buy pornographic material, My budget is under control and I don't squander what little money I have left after I have paid my bills... So why would I need that card?

 

[Linwar]

I totally understand the reason behind this move but I remain absolutely against any government dictating what a person can spend his/her money on. There are other, less intrusive ways of ensuring money is ethically disbursed.

If they are on this welfare payment the money they get is the taxpayers money, and it is the taxpayers who can dictate how they spend it. My boss doesn't just hand over $400 a week to me for nothing. he takes money out of what I have worked for and gives it to the government. maybe get your facts straight.

 

[Linwar]

don't be so quick to pass the buck ,, it's not only Aboriginal / Australian folk ,,there are a hell of a lot of people from other countries as well on welfare,,,watching ACA one night the interviewer was speaking to an incredibly arrogant bullish man from another country who had two wives but don't remember how many children he had who claimed it was his right to have Australian welfare,,,,WHAT for both wives and possibly countless kids,,,Government need to stand up to those people and do some investigating before handing out people's hard earned money including mine..

I couldn't agree more. Our tax payer money is being squandered on other ethnic people when it should be spent on maybe more housing for the disadvantaged. If this guy wants one or a dozen wives, he should be paid for one. In Australia it is called bigamy to marry more than one wife.

It's also for white folk although colour or race isn't the issue it's for those who use their payment on things other than essential items

Why should the tax payers pay for someone's alcohol, drugs or fetishes

You've got my vote there.