Is your local Centrelink closing soon? Here’s how you can stay ahead and keep receiving assistance
Australia Day is a time for celebration, but for many who rely on Centrelink, it can also be stressful and uncertain.
Services Australia has recently issued a reminder about closures over the upcoming Australia Day long weekend, urging recipients to plan to ensure they continue to receive their payments without disruption.
The closures will affect many recipients, including those receiving the Age Pension, JobSeeker Payment, Disability Support Pension, and Youth Allowance.
'We want to help you plan so you still get paid,' Services Australia said. 'You may need to report your income early so we can pay you during these closures. We may pay you early.'
The Australia Day public holiday on Friday, January 26, 2024, will close service centres and most call centres. However, this doesn't mean that you're left without options.
Services Australia said, ‘You can still report your income to us, even when we’re closed. However, if you do this on a public holiday, we’ll pay you after the public holiday.’
Recipients can still use their Centrelink online account through myGov to manage their payments and report their income.
You can still do the following through your Centrelink account through myGov:
The Australia Day public holiday may change your reporting and payment dates, and you may need to report early to receive your payment.
‘Your Centrelink online account will show your new reporting date for the Australia Day reporting period,’ Services Australia added.
If you need to report early, it's important to include what you expect to be paid for the full reporting period.
If you're unsure of your income or if there are changes to your circumstances, you can choose to report after your reporting period. However, you will be paid after you report.
For those who don't need to report to receive their Centrelink payment, you may receive your normal payment early.
Payments are made as close to and before your normal payment day as possible, and there should not be delays in payments due to the public holiday.
You can check any reporting or payment changes through your Centrelink online account or Services Australia’s website here.
Centrelink closures don't have to be a source of stress. With a little planning and understanding of how the system works, you can ensure you continue to receive your payments without disruption.
Have you experienced any issues with Centrelink holiday closures, members? Do you have any tips for navigating these closures? Share them in the comments below.
Services Australia has recently issued a reminder about closures over the upcoming Australia Day long weekend, urging recipients to plan to ensure they continue to receive their payments without disruption.
The closures will affect many recipients, including those receiving the Age Pension, JobSeeker Payment, Disability Support Pension, and Youth Allowance.
'We want to help you plan so you still get paid,' Services Australia said. 'You may need to report your income early so we can pay you during these closures. We may pay you early.'
The Australia Day public holiday on Friday, January 26, 2024, will close service centres and most call centres. However, this doesn't mean that you're left without options.
Services Australia said, ‘You can still report your income to us, even when we’re closed. However, if you do this on a public holiday, we’ll pay you after the public holiday.’
Recipients can still use their Centrelink online account through myGov to manage their payments and report their income.
You can still do the following through your Centrelink account through myGov:
The Australia Day public holiday may change your reporting and payment dates, and you may need to report early to receive your payment.
‘Your Centrelink online account will show your new reporting date for the Australia Day reporting period,’ Services Australia added.
If you need to report early, it's important to include what you expect to be paid for the full reporting period.
If you're unsure of your income or if there are changes to your circumstances, you can choose to report after your reporting period. However, you will be paid after you report.
For those who don't need to report to receive their Centrelink payment, you may receive your normal payment early.
Payments are made as close to and before your normal payment day as possible, and there should not be delays in payments due to the public holiday.
You can check any reporting or payment changes through your Centrelink online account or Services Australia’s website here.
Centrelink closures don't have to be a source of stress. With a little planning and understanding of how the system works, you can ensure you continue to receive your payments without disruption.
Key Takeaways
- Aussies on Centrelink benefits are reminded of service closures over the Australia Day long weekend.
- Recipients are advised to report their income early to ensure they receive payments during the closures.
- Centrelink online accounts through myGov can be used to report income even when offices are closed.
- Changes in reporting and payment dates due to the public holiday are outlined, and early payments will aim to be as close to the normal schedule as possible.
Have you experienced any issues with Centrelink holiday closures, members? Do you have any tips for navigating these closures? Share them in the comments below.