COVID-19 Lockdown Support for Victorians
Lockdown Support For Victorians
The Victorian Government understands the impact the current lockdown has had and will continue to have on all Victorians. The Government has announced numerous payments that are available not only for businesses but also for individuals that have been affected.
To help you understand what payments are available we have provided a breakdown of each payment below.
Support For Businesses
Cash grants will be paid directly to businesses that have previously received grants from the Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two or the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021. This does include Regional businesses.
Businesses whom have previously received the grant from the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund will receive a top-up amount of $3,000 and business that have received the grant from the Business Costs Assistance Program will receive a top-up amount of $2,000.
If a Business has not received any of the grants listed above they will not be eligible to receive a top-up amount.
Support For Individuals
COVID-19 Disaster Payments
Individuals whom are unable to attend work, lost income and/or are unable to access paid leave entitlements may be eligible to receive the Disaster Payment. If you and your partner have both been affected by the lockdown you can both claim for the Disaster Payment.
Sole traders may also be eligible for the Disaster payments if they are unable to operate from their home and if they have not received the state business grant.
The Disaster payment will not be accessible until the 23 rd July 2021.
Depending on how many hours the individual has lost per week and if the payment if on or after the third period of lockdown will decide how much the disaster payment amount is. If the individual has lost between 8 and 20 hours per week they will receive $375. If the individual has lost 20 or more hours they will receive $600.
The disaster payment is available for individuals if they:
- Live or work in an area that is subject to a state or territory public health order that imposes restriction on movement and is declared a Commonwealth COVID-19 hotspot, or
- Have visited an area that is a Commonwealth COVID-19 hotspot and you are subsequently subject to a restricted movement order when you return to other parts of New South Wales or interstate.
And you:
- Are an Australian citizen, permanent resident or temporary visa holder who has the right to work in Australia, and
- Are aged 17 years or over, and
- Have lost 8 hours or more of work or a full day of your usual work as a result of the restrictions - losing work includes being stood down by your employer, not being assigned any shifts for the week of restrictions and being unable to work from home. Losing a full day of what you were scheduled to work but could not work because of a restricted movement order. This includes not being able to attend a full-time, part-time or casual shift of less than 8 hours, and
- Don't have paid leave available through your employer (other than annual leave), and
- Are not receiving income support payments, a state or territory pandemic payment, Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment or state small business payment for the same period. Income support payments include Age Pension, Austudy, Carer Payment, Disability Support Pension, Farm Household Allowance, JobSeeker Payment, Parenting Payment, Partner Allowance, Special Benefit, Widow Allowance, Youth Allowance and Income Support Supplement, Service Pension or Veteran Pension from the Department of Veterans' Affairs.
Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment
Individuals that have been advised by health authorities to self-isolate or quarantine may be eligible for the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment due to:
- Testing positive for COVID-19;
- Been identified as a close contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case;
- Care for a child, 16 years or under that has tested positive for COVID-19
- Care for a child, 16 years or under that has been identified as a close contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case
- Care for a person who has tested positive to COVID-19
If you are eligible you will receive $1,500 for each 14 day period they are required to self-isolate or quarantine. If you and your partner have both been affected by the lockdown you can both claim for the Disaster Payment.
The Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment is available for individuals that:
- Are an Australian citizen, permanent resident or temporary visa holder who has the right to work in Australia; and
- Are aged 17 years or over; and
- Are unable to go to work and earn an income; and
- Do not have appropriate leave entitlements, including pandemic sick leave, personal leave or carers leave; and
- Are not getting any income support payment, ABSTUDY Living Allowance, Paid parental leave or Dad and Partner Pay. Income support payments include Age Pension, Austudy, Carer Payment, Disability Support Pension, Farm Household Allowance, JobSeeker Payment, Parenting Payment, Partner Allowance, Special Benefit, Widow Allowance, Youth Allowance and Income Support Supplement, Service Pension or Veteran Pension from the Department of Veterans' Affairs.
The payment is taxable and you will need to declare it in your income tax return.
The material and contents provided in this publication are informative in nature only. It is not intended to be advice and you should not act specifically on the basis of this information. If expert assistance is required, professional advice should be obtained.
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