Centrelink Rules Change Approved: $5000 Cash Boost: Don’t Miss the Deadlines. The government of Australia has decided to boost the Centrelink payments for eligible individuals to help them financially. There are many people who rely on the payments made by Centrelink. Those vulnerable groups are suffering because of poverty, inflation, and the rising cost of living. This payment is intended to help individuals become financially stable. To know more about the topic “Centrelink Rules Change Approved $5000 Cash Boost: Don’t Miss the Deadlines,” read the complete article.
Centrelink Rules Change Approved $5000 Cash Boost
Centrelink has just expanded the eligibility rules for its Tertiary Access Payment, a one-off cash boost of up to $5,000 designed to help students from regional and remote areas cover the costs of moving away from home to pursue further study. The payment is intended to help the vulnerable individuals who are unable to afford basic necessities. This payment will help them cover the costs of essentials, such as food, rent, energy, and medical bills. Millions of Centrelink recipients will see a small increase in their payments in the coming weeks.
The increase is part of regular indexation, which is designed to ensure payments keep up with the rising cost of living. Around 2.4 million Australians will benefit from the latest round of indexation, which will come into effect on July 1. The increase will see a range of rates, thresholds and limits increase by 2.4 percent. That includes payment increases for families receiving the Family Tax Benefit A and B, the Multiple Birth Allowance, and the Newborn Supplement. Income and asset thresholds will also be increased for recipients of the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension and Carer Payment.
Don’t Miss the Deadlines
Centrelink has reminded recipients of the Family Tax Benefit (FTB) that “time’s running out” to make an important submission. People on the payment are able to claim it in fortnightly installments or as a lump sum. If they do the latter option, they need to make a submission to Services Australia by June 30. This time limit applies to people who were on the payment for the 2023-24 financial year. The increased amount can be claimed up to $5000.
Eligibility Criteria
You are required to be an eligible student from a regional or remote area, moving away from home to study at a tertiary education provider like a university or TAFE.
You must:
- Be an Australian resident
- Be from an inner regional, outer regional or remote area
- Be moving to study at a tertiary education provider that’s at least 90 minutes away from your family home by public transport.
- Have completed Year 12 or equivalent
- Be studying a tertiary course at Certificate IV or above
- Be 22 or younger on the day you start your tertiary course
- Have parents or guardians whose income is under the combined limit of $250,000 if you are a dependent.
Major Changes
Previously, the Tertiary Access Payment was only accessible to students who went directly from high school into tertiary study, meaning if you took a gap year (or two), you missed out. But, this time the rules have changed. It means if you’re 22 or younger and meet the other eligibility criteria, you can still claim the payment even if you took some time off after Year 12. As Services Australia General Manager Hank JOngen puts it, “We want to make sure students who take a gap year don’t miss out on this support.’ And with the cost of living and moving only going up, every little bit helps.
How to Claim the Payment?
To claim the payment, follow the steps given below:
Get Ready to Claim
You need to have your Centrelink online account linked to myGov to claim the Tertiary Access Payment.
Get your Documents Ready
You will have to attach or upload some supporting documents ready to help answer some of the questions in the claim.
You’ll need to provide:
- your study details
- details of your parents’ income
Submit a Claim
If your Centrelink online account is linked to myGov, sign in now. Select Apply for Tertiary Access Payment to start your claim.
Confirm your Study Details
Centrelink needs you to give them this information as soon as you can so your claim isn’t deferred or rejected. If you’re eligible and still apply, they’ll pay you after this check.
Wait for the Result
Centrelink will inform you of the result of your claim in written form.