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​

 

[siameezer]

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.

It is NOT a lie. I am sorry you seem to believe the media spin but Indue was appointed the company controlling this card and former National Party president, Larry Anthony, was deputy chairman of Indue from 2005 - 2013. A little research goes a long way before accusing people of lying.

 

[Kimwyatt5052]

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​

A politicAl grab. Same thing just spend a heap of money to rename the scheme and deliver a promise. What a waste of tax payers money

 

[rayd]

One thing is for sure the number of individual pontificators responding to this thread is incredible. They obviously are not of the Australia that my Grand Parents struggled to raise us through. I have never read such deplorable responses to an attack on human dignity of fellow Australians by those who obviously feel so capable of 'throwing the first stone'. I am sorry our fellow commentators find it necessary to deride those less fortunate than themselves 'presumably' from their secure spaces.

 

[Linwar]

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

"Their money". you mean the taxpayers money. People who have gone to work and paid their taxes so the drunken lay about druggies can get more from the Government. Yes, the Government does have a say in how its spent or would you like us to go the American way where you have to get food stamps and only spend them on food, which would be more humiliating than a plastic card.

 

[TheBear]

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.

This PDF says that Indue is an Australian owned and operated payment services provider.

https://www.accc.gov.au/system/files/public-registers/documents/Submission%20by%20Indue%20-%2017.06.21%20-%20PR%20-%20MA1000020_0.pdf

 

[siameezer]

One thing is for sure the number of individual pontificators responding to this thread is incredible. They obviously are not of the Australia that my Grand Parents struggled to raise us through. I have never read such deplorable responses to an attack on human dignity of fellow Australians by those who obviously feel so capable of 'throwing the first stone'. I am sorry our fellow commentators find it necessary to deride those less fortunate than themselves 'presumably' from their secure spaces.

Very well said and thank you. I am so disappointed in the vile attitudes people here are displaying and how easily they believe the media spin. I worked with welfare recipients from the unemployed through to Age Pensioners for 20 years and the vast majority were decent people trying to get ahead. I have never understood the need to stand there and throw stones at people you don't know. A little empathy and compassion go a long way.

 

[siameezer]

"Their money". you mean the taxpayers money. People who have gone to work and paid their taxes so the drunken lay about druggies can get more from the Government. Yes, the Government does have a say in how its spent or would you like us to go the American way where you have to get food stamps and only spend them on food, which would be more humiliating than a plastic card.

Your comment is vile and shows you have no understanding of welfare or who "owns" the money ... shame on you.

 

[Tipsy]

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.

So maybe they sold the business to them but they owned the Original, No lies moron/Troll while the LNP were in power they had the control of the card and it was on a gov doc I read. cant remember where

 

[Mindygirl12022]

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'm glad this has come in and would like liquor to be a part of it as well.

 

[Groovy]

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

The system is all broken, hey????

 

[alyn6652]

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 was working on a NT community as a manager in the general store when the first cashless debit card was introduced in 2007. Yes all hell broke out, not happy, and we were accused of keeping their money. It all settled down after a couple of months and the women accepted it quicker that the men as they had money (as such) to be able to buy food for the children. Centrelink also set up Christmas Club accounts so that they could sign up and have a portion paid into that account and it could not be touched until a month before Xmas. To access they had to ring Centrelink and they would release the money to their cards. They still found ways to access cash (sale of paintings, woodwork etc) then the men would go into Alice and buy the booze. There were designated areas at the communities where alcohol was to be consumed, outside the boundaries, as we found this at many communities where we worked. The only one that was different was a community in Queensland where they had there own bar. To enter who had to hold a card (which you had to apply for within the bar) and each time you wish to enter, let it be black or white, it was checked at the gate before entry. NO CARD no entry for everybody. IWe spent 8 years out bush. Unfortunately all the yahoo and criticism comes from those who live in the cities who think they are being hard done by. GET A JOB. Since working on communities I have a lot of respect for them, not the city dwellers.

 

[alyn6652]

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 agree with you. Centrelink has not looked at all welfare recipients. Correct me if i am wrong but other recipients from overseas have to wait 2 years before they can claim welfare, BUT then not many try to get jobs either, our welfare system needs a bloody good shakeup.

 

[Linwar]

Your comment is vile and shows you have no understanding of welfare or who "owns" the money ... shame on you.

You must be a welfare career person, I will say what I like about welfare money. I am still working at 72 and paying taxes, how about you mate.....Yes, I won the money that welfare comes from, its NOT their money and maybe they should bring in food stamps like in the USA, where you have to produce food stamps for your groceries.....and nothing else.

 

[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.

Wow much try NOT to play the race card! You are a part of the problem NOT the solution!