Struggling to make ends meet? Upcoming Centrelink boost still not enough for Aussies
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As the cost of living continues to soar, millions of Australians who rely on Centrelink payments are facing an uphill battle to make ends meet.
A recent announcement may see a boost in payments, yet many recipients think that this is not enough to get by.
Starting Friday, 20 September, regular indexation will see a payment increase for over five million Aussies, including those receiving JobSeeker and the Age Pension payouts.
Single Age Pension recipients should receive an additional $28.10 for single recipients or $42.40 for couples per fortnight.
This increase could bring total payments up to $1,047.10 for singles and $1,725.20 in total for couples.
Parenting Payment Single base will go up by $19.80 per fortnight, while the Parenting Payment Couple will increase by $14.
According to the government, this increase could provide 'timely cost-of-living relief'.
However, the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) and numerous recipients say otherwise.
'Although the increase per fortnight is certainly appreciated, it is still nowhere near enough to live off in these tough times,' one JobSeeker recipient said.
With rental prices skyrocketing and the general cost of living on the rise, the extra money is seen as a drop in the ocean.
'The Government still doesn't realise how far this money goes when you have rent to pay,' they added.
Another JobSeeker recipient shared her struggle to cover rent, utility bills, and the rising cost of groceries and fuel.
She stated that she could go 'broke' on the same day she received her payment.
According to PropTrack data, the nationwide rent average stayed steady at $600 per week, marking a 9.1 per cent annual increase.
'ACOSS welcomes investment in social security, but the core issue remains: JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, and related payments remain below all measures of adequacy,' ACOSS stated.
The welfare body also called for a raise in pension payments to at least $80 a day to effectively 'cover the basics'.
The organisation also pointed out that less than half of JobSeeker recipients get Rent Assistance.
Despite the upcoming ten per cent increase in Commonwealth Rental Assistance, most will still be in housing stress due to low JobSeeker and Youth Allowance payments.
Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth stated that the government has been 'firmly committed' to assisting Australians facing cost-of-living challenges.
'Indexation, together with our Budget measures, means maximum rates of Commonwealth Rent Assistance will have increased by around 45 per cent since the Albanese Government was elected,' Minister Rishworth said.
'This indexation will deliver timely boosts to people receiving allowance payments and pensions, ensuring that these vulnerable cohorts have more money in their pockets for everyday expenses.'
Yet, the question remains whether these measures are sufficient to support the vulnerable populations who are struggling to afford necessities.
The increases may be a step in the right direction, but the conversation around social security and the cost of living needs to continue.
What do you think of the upcoming payment increase? Are they enough to help you manage your expenses? Share your opinions with us in the comments section below.
A recent announcement may see a boost in payments, yet many recipients think that this is not enough to get by.
Starting Friday, 20 September, regular indexation will see a payment increase for over five million Aussies, including those receiving JobSeeker and the Age Pension payouts.
Single Age Pension recipients should receive an additional $28.10 for single recipients or $42.40 for couples per fortnight.
This increase could bring total payments up to $1,047.10 for singles and $1,725.20 in total for couples.
Parenting Payment Single base will go up by $19.80 per fortnight, while the Parenting Payment Couple will increase by $14.
According to the government, this increase could provide 'timely cost-of-living relief'.
The increase in payments aimed to alleviate cost-of-living concerns among Australians. Image Credit: Shutterstock/Nils Versemann
However, the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) and numerous recipients say otherwise.
'Although the increase per fortnight is certainly appreciated, it is still nowhere near enough to live off in these tough times,' one JobSeeker recipient said.
With rental prices skyrocketing and the general cost of living on the rise, the extra money is seen as a drop in the ocean.
'The Government still doesn't realise how far this money goes when you have rent to pay,' they added.
Another JobSeeker recipient shared her struggle to cover rent, utility bills, and the rising cost of groceries and fuel.
She stated that she could go 'broke' on the same day she received her payment.
According to PropTrack data, the nationwide rent average stayed steady at $600 per week, marking a 9.1 per cent annual increase.
'ACOSS welcomes investment in social security, but the core issue remains: JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, and related payments remain below all measures of adequacy,' ACOSS stated.
The welfare body also called for a raise in pension payments to at least $80 a day to effectively 'cover the basics'.
The organisation also pointed out that less than half of JobSeeker recipients get Rent Assistance.
Despite the upcoming ten per cent increase in Commonwealth Rental Assistance, most will still be in housing stress due to low JobSeeker and Youth Allowance payments.
Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth stated that the government has been 'firmly committed' to assisting Australians facing cost-of-living challenges.
'Indexation, together with our Budget measures, means maximum rates of Commonwealth Rent Assistance will have increased by around 45 per cent since the Albanese Government was elected,' Minister Rishworth said.
'This indexation will deliver timely boosts to people receiving allowance payments and pensions, ensuring that these vulnerable cohorts have more money in their pockets for everyday expenses.'
Yet, the question remains whether these measures are sufficient to support the vulnerable populations who are struggling to afford necessities.
The increases may be a step in the right direction, but the conversation around social security and the cost of living needs to continue.
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