$1500 Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment gets extended to Qld, SA
Following agreement with the state governments, the $1500 lump sum ‘Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment’, already available in New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia, has been extended to include South Australians and Queenslanders who cannot earn an income because they must self-isolate or quarantine, or are caring for someone with coronavirus (COVID-19).
Individuals in South Australia and Queensland who have been instructed by a health official to self-isolate or quarantine, and used up all appropriate leave entitlements, including any special pandemic leave, may be eligible for the payment. They may also be eligible if they are the parent or guardian of a child aged 16 or under who has been instructed to isolate as they are a close contact or have tested positive for COVID-19. People can claim the payment again if their self-isolation or quarantine period is extended longer than 14 days.
In line with arrangements with other states, workers in South Australia and Queensland will not be eligible for the payment if they are receiving income, earnings or salary maintenance from work, receiving JobKeeper payment or other forms of Australian or state government income support. To date, more than $15.5 million in Pandemic Leave Disaster Payments have been paid for 10,300 granted claims since 6 August.
Queensland’s Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment arrangements are being extended after an agreement with the Commonwealth. “Many Queenslanders are in a situation where they have had to self-isolate or quarantine and have used up their leave entitlements leaving them with no income,” Palaszczuk said.
For eligible workers, the Australian Government advises that the fastest and easiest way to make a claim is over the phone, by calling 180 22 66. The government also requests those eligible to please not visit a service centre.
More information is available at www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/disaster.
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