CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK ON OUR FUTURE

teleconsultation over the past six months, or;

For new patients, the telepsychology service has been recommended by their general practitioner, and;

The service is delivered before September 30, 2020, and;

The service is undertaken in accordance with Australian Psychological Society guidelines.

Meanwhile, Australian mortgage holders are among those able to access up to $10,000 in superannuation this financial year if they are impacted by the coronavirus crisis

Mr Watson recommended the first port of call for those who had lost their jobs was to use any connections they have to try and secure new employment.

“Recently unemployed people should look hard within their network to assess who might be able to assist them to get back into the workforce,” he said.

“The more conversations that are had, the more chance someone is to open up a job opportunity.

“Failing this, they should apply to the Centrelink Jobseekers program ASAP to ensure they receive some income assistance.”

Those who are unemployed can apply for Centrelink’s Jobseeker payments, which have also been extended to include casual workers who meet the income test.

From April 27, an additional $550 per fortnight will be paid to current and new recipients during the pandemic, including those on student payments.

Australians can access up to $10,000 from their superannuation fund from mid-April, but must do so by June 30.

If they are still experiencing financial hardship from COVID-19, they can access a further $10,000 in 2020-21 financial year from July 1.

Deciding to access superannuation prematurely will not impact Centrelink payment eligibility as the asset test has been frozen.

For more information, visit: www.servicesaustralia.gov.au

National Seniors chief advocate Ian Henschke recommended seniors of pensioner age and pensioners look at accessing the Pension Loan Scheme.

The scheme is available to retirees of age pension age, who own Australian property and meet pension eligibility requirements, and allows them to supplement their fortnightly pension up to a maximum of 150 per cent.

A couple on a combined fortnightly pension of $1407 can receive a combined additional payment of up to $703 per fortnight as PLS payment, according to National Seniors.

This, Mr Henschke said, would allow those eligible to make ends meet without taking out additional superannuation. The interest rate on the scheme was dropped from 5.25 per cent to 4.5 per cent last year, but Mr Henschke said he was fighting to have it lowered even further.

Mr Henschke also recommended seniors and pensioners facing financial adversity try to avoid using credit.

“It would be foolish … we know credit cards are the most expensive finance,” he said.

Australians who receive Centrelink payments, including the Age Pension, or are Pensioner Concession Card holders, will automatically receive a $750 Economic Support payment from March 31.

For more information on the Pension Loan Scheme and

Economic Support, visit: www.servicesaustralia.gov.au

Peter Strong, CEO of the Council of Small Business of Australia, said sole traders should first make use of available Centrelink payments.

Centrelink’s Jobseeker payment is available for sole traders and self-employed people who have experienced a reduction in income.

After this, Mr Strong said they should sit down and determine how much money they need for the next six months to get by until their business becomes viable again.

“I’d say, OK, what do I need to continue to function as a family? What do I need to continue to put food on the table to do the things that we all need as a basic?,” he said.

Mr Strong said sole traders should then take advantage of mortgage payment deferrals currently offered by banks.

He suggested renters ask landlords: “if they’ve got a holiday from repayments on their loan, then is there any way they can pass that on to you?”.

Sole traders should also look to remodelling their business or offering an online service online if possible, said Mr Strong, as well as connecting with other sole traders.

“If there’s work around, you might want to share it around.”

Sole traders who have experienced a 20 per cent or more reduction in turnover, or had their business suspended after January 1 are eligible to draw $10,000 from their super funds from mid-April, but must do so by June 30.

For more information, visit: www.servicesaustralia.gov.au

From mid-April, but Mr Watson said this should only be considered “by those people in serious financial stress” such as those who are unemployed, have been made redundant or now have a significant earning capacity reduction. Picture: STEWART McLEAN up at Centrelink in Cairns CBD this week as the coronavirus restrictions put people out of work.