Covid-19 disaster payments available for Northern Rivers residents in lockdown

Covid-19 disaster payments of up to $750 a week are available to eligible workers locked down on the Northern Rivers.

Anyone who has lost work due to the lockdowns may be eligible for disaster relief payments.

Eligible workers who have been locked down on the Northern Rivers since August 9 will be able to apply for Covid-19 disaster payments.

Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience Minister Senator Bridget McKenzie said people in the Commonwealth declared Covid-19 hot spots of Byron Bay, Richmond Valley, Ballina and Lismore Shires may be eligible if their work or income will be affected by the seven-day lockdown.

“We stand shoulder to shoulder with Australians impacted by the global pandemic and continue to provide a safety net to support communities that are in lockdown,” Ms McKenzie said.

“People living in these areas were already able to claim the payment if they were affected by the local lockdown in Greater Sydney.

“Now more people living or working in the region may be eligible for the payment given these four local government areas are now directly experiencing lockdown.”

Long lines of cars are snaking their way around the Cavanabah Centre at Byron Bay.

Eligible workers who have lost more than 20 hours of work will receive $750 a week and anyone who has lost between eight to 20 hours or a full day of work will be eligible for $450 per week.

People currently receiving an income support payment can also claim an extra payment of $200 if they have lost eight hours or more of work and meet the other eligibility requirements for the Covid-19 Disaster Payment.

Minister Government Services Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said people already receiving the payments don’t need to do anything.

“If you’re in the NSW Northern Rivers and already getting a Covid-19 Disaster Payment it will continue automatically for as long as you’re eligible,” Ms Reynolds said.

“People who are newly eligible can claim now. The quickest and easiest way to claim is online.

“In line with recent announcements the Australian Government is pausing all Centrelink debt raising and new debt recovery in locked down Local Government Areas.”

A semi-deserted Jonson St, the main commercial area in Byron Bay, on the first day of the Northern Rivers lockdown, Tuesday August 10, 2021.

A National Recovery and Resilience Agency spokeswoman said the payments may also be available to people who visited a NSW hotspot area and have been subject to stay at home restrictions once they have returned to where they live.

“If they have been unable to work as a result of stay at home orders, they should visit the Services Australia website to find out how to claim and test their eligibility,” she said.

For More information about the Covid-19 disaster payment, and how to claim, visit servicesaustralia.gov.au/covid19disasterpayment