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​

 

[Vio Kot]

Some people don’t want help and will continue to get smokes & alcohol from theft.

Then they should go to jail

 

[Macarj]

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.

What are they?

 

[Smith-Roberts]

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​

 

[Smith-Roberts]

Take your cameras to a place called Rabbits Flat and see if your opinion changes, I was told by one of the locals that they were being paid by mining companies in cash.

 

[Lisa]

Have they the all Knowing white government really truly gone to the root causes. Of what is happening in aboriginal communities. Or have they just pontificated from on high and not really listened to what the people need. Oh by the way. Is this card also for white folk who spend more of their pension on alcohol cigarettes gambling etc. or is it only for people of colour. I have no monkeys in this particular circus but injustice is in justice.

What planet are you on? It DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE! Seriously!! Look at your indigenous communities...the young ones WONT listen to the elders....they don't care ...the root causes are what exactly?? Because I for one am sick of hearing how bad done by they are....a classic example is an indigenous male saying its ok for our culture to sexually abuse a 5 yo. So fix up your own communities without the "know all whites" then tell us how it goes!

 

[Petra]

People who are addicted to "things" will get it, even if you stop their payments. How? Crime will rise !! I was born in a country where exactly this happened. They will get it, by breaking into your house, rob you in the streets, hi-jack your car, etc etc etc ...... just look how they scam people ....

 

[margaret12A]

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​

i dont think this card is goimg to help many people a small percentage yes otherwise no .the thing is when person has addiction drugs,alchol etc they are ill and have disabilty to the point they cant be hired by anyone their life is diffrent addcition in alot of these cases means they cant stop .i think having more services for people who can get help/want it is a start .next i think crime would go up with this card it is not finding any solutions that make sense to me .firstly i thing rent needs to be cheaper for people,food cheaper ,clothes and other basic things a person needs that is on a pension need to be cheaper .if these things are done than person will have more money to spend on entertainment etc which will help smaller bussinesses out .this card i think is a waste of tax payers money. theirs other ways that are more effective and i hope this dont become compulsory as this would punish everyone even people who do budget properly.

 

[jennifercharles257@gmail.]

Really what's next our bumbling bureaucrats are going to come up with wasting more money I don't believe they should be telling people how to spend their money I admit people are struggling with budgeting their money but in these days anything & everything is going up in price people with jobs are struggling governments are in it for themselves

 

[Kelmanj]

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​

 

[Kelmanj]

i dont think this card is goimg to help many people a small percentage yes otherwise no .the thing is when person has addiction drugs,alchol etc they are ill and have disabilty to the point they cant be hired by anyone their life is diffrent addcition in alot of these cases means they cant stop .i think having more services for people who can get help/want it is a start .next i think crime would go up with this card it is not finding any solutions that make sense to me .firstly i thing rent needs to be cheaper for people,food cheaper ,clothes and other basic things a person needs that is on a pension need to be cheaper .if these things are done than person will have more money to spend on entertainment etc which will help smaller bussinesses out .this card i think is a waste of tax payers money. theirs other ways that are more effective and i hope this dont become compulsory as this would punish everyone even people who do budget properly.

 

[Kelmanj]

Than goodness I live in NSW and won't be getting a smart card. Ridiculous I am on a person dont drink, smoke or gamble manage my finances very well and bank a $100 every fortnight how on earth would I or anyone else do that with a smart card its all only for spending. A few of us like to save nor spend everything.

Eve Kelman-J

 

[Bill MacL]

Another form of censorship, government wants total control of everyone's spending because the criminals are smarter than they are. There is NO deterrent to crime, that's why there is so much of it, It's time to bring back serious punishment for crime. These do-gooders who think they can re-habilitate all criminals are living in a dream world. It's the parents responsibility to teach their kids the difference between right and wrong when they are very young and some discipline is required. It's important to know you will be punished for doing the wrong thing.

 

[Jada]

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.

 

[Mr Chips]

Just one little phrase concerns me about many comments above and that is the words "our money". Just exactly who's money is it and why shouldn't the people's representatives (parliament) have the right to control the money spent by the Commonwealth?

 

[Pinknow]

If only one person is saved from a life of alcoholism or the abuse it causes, hen it is worthwhile.
If it prevents even one person from st artin on the road to drug abuse, then it is worth it.
Alcoholism and drug abUse know no colour. This is one step to help.

 

[Berrie23]

This is insulting to anyone on Centrelink payments. How dare anyone else decide what you can spend on? It infers that people are incapable of making their own monetary decisions

I agree 100% - I am not a child and do not need anyone telling me what I am allowed to spend my money on! This is insulting to one and all on any kind of Centrelink payments!

 

[siameezer]

I agree 100% - I am not a child and do not need anyone telling me what I am allowed to spend my money on! This is insulting to one and all on any kind of Centrelink payments!

I am with you 100% and I don't like the supercilious and condescending posts saying it is taxpayers' money and they have a right to say how it is spent. What a superior attitude these people have! My taxes also pay for health and I don't tell their doctor or hospital what procedures or treatment they can have, it pays for education and I don't tell the teachers what they can teach. Thank you for standing up for the rights of those on payments.

 

[Jenny07]

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.

I’m a First Nations Person who has worked since I was 8 years old retired due to ill health 13 years ago am 67-non drinker, non smoker, don’t take drugs. Went to university now on a disability pension and I object to the cashless card. I can manage my finances quite well myself.

 

[Mr. Diesel.]

This card and idea is crap, I like my alcohol and smokes.
I always pay by cash after I take my money out of the bank.

 

[JMH52]

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

That isn’t true..if I asked for evidence you wouldn’t be able to provide any. The operators of Indue card are a global entity, Star Group is a registered entity and has zero to do with the LNP… stop spreading lies.