Australians are divided as Centrelink recipients receive cash support when indexation of payments takes effect today.
Centrelink payments are indexed every six months for inflation, with the 1.8 per cent increases taking effect on Wednesday reflecting the combined rise in the Consumer Price Index in the September and December quarters.
People receiving Old Age Pension, Disability Pension and Carer’s Allowance will receive an additional $19.60 per fortnight for singles and $29.40 for couples every two weeks, from from March 20.
The maximum pension rate will increase to $1,116.30 for singles and $1,682.80 for couples per fortnight.
Single JobSeeker recipients without children and people over 22 on ABSTUDY will pocket an extra $13.50 per fortnight, bringing it to $771.50 including the energy supplement.
The payment for single parents will also increase by $17.50 per fortnight, bringing the total fortnightly payments to just over $1,000.
An additional 77,000 parents now benefit from a higher payment rate after eligibility was expanded last year to cover those whose youngest child is under 14, from eight.
Each member of a couple will receive an additional $12.30 per fortnight.
Commonwealth Rent Support, claimed by almost 1.4 million people, will increase by $3.40 to $188.20 a fortnight for single income support recipients.
Australians divided over increased Centrelink payments coming into effect this week
Some Australians have been unimpressed by the payment hike.
“Here in Australia welfare is a joke, there are too many bludgers and drug addicts stealing from the system,” one man fumed. “It’s about helping people through tough times, not being a generational career choice.”
A second said: “Wow give bludgers to get more money.” No wonder they don’t want to find work!
A third added: How about indexing income tax rates if that’s enough for welfare?
Another said: “What if they just got a job? “.
But many defended welfare recipients.
“Most welfare recipients are actually older retirees and they’ve earned their damn pension,” one man explained.
“They worked, they raised children, they contributed to society. And this increase only helps to offset inflation.
“As for the bludgers, unemployment benefits represent only a tiny percentage of the overall welfare bill. Plus, we are all one accident, illness, or recession away from joining them. A little humility goes a long way.
“In a cost of living crisis, this is a no-brainer and could mean the difference between homelessness and having a roof over their heads for some.” We need more support to help people find jobs! »
Centrelink recipients who will pocket extra money have also fought back.
’17$ = 8.50$ per week. WOW grateful yes. Seriously, that’s a pittance in today’s world,” one woman commented.
A second added: “I understand the frustration of those commenting, but the majority of these payments are for old age pensions and disabled people. Those who really need help, I am more than happy to support them.
Up to five million beneficiaries will benefit from a fortnightly boost to their bank accounts from March 20.
One woman called on the government to do more.
“How about cutting the salaries politicians get for doing nothing but lining their pockets?” she commented.
“They work for the Australian people, we don’t work for them.”
A JobSeeker winner has urged critics to look at the bigger picture.
“Disabled people don’t ask to be disabled, they deserve a raise,” she began.
“Newstart people are not asking to be unemployed, some are because their boss has decided they are surplus to requirements.
“So the meager increase we will get will probably allow us to buy an extra bottle of milk and loaf of bread per week.”
A single mother with a newborn also shared some ideas.
“My baby is 21 weeks old and I have a 12 year old. I have always worked and been a single mother, she wrote.
“The cost of living is ridiculous…what an extra $600 just to rent a place…the food is crazy…so any extra coin I appreciate.”
While many Australians were furious at the increase in Centrelink’s indexed payments, others argued the increased cash wouldn’t make much difference to those doing things hard.
Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said tackling inflation and the rising cost of living was her “number one priority”.
“Pension recipients are among the most vulnerable members of our communities, many having worked their entire lives to contribute to our society or care for a loved one,” she said.
The last indexed increase, six months ago, was in addition to the increase in income support announced in the federal budget as part of the $14.6 billion cost of living program.
Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth (pictured) said tackling inflation and the rising cost of living was her “number one priority”.