How to get hold of COVID-17 payments

TOOWOOMBA residents waiting for their one-off coronavirus support payment can expect the money in their accounts in the next few weeks.

The Department of Social Services said most of the money would be handed out between March 31 and April 17.

It will hand out $750 to about 6.5 million Australians.

The money will be paid automatically.

To be eligible, you must be living in Australia, be receiving one of the following payments, or hold one of the following concession cards, as of March 12.

■Age Pension

■Disability Pension

■Carer Payment

■Parenting Payment

■Wife Pension

■Widow B Pension

■ABSTUDY

■Austudy

■Bereavement Allowance

■Newstart Allowance

■Youth Allowance

■Partner Allowance

■Sickness Allowance

■Special Benefit

■Widow Allowance

■Family Tax Benefit

■Carer Allowance

■Pensioner Card holders

■Seniors Health Card

■Veteran Service Pension

■Veteran Gold Card

Farm Household Allowance

Current income support recipients who cannot meet their Newstart obligations if they quarantined should phone Services Australia and ask for a “Major Personal Crisis” exemption.

They will not require a medical certificate.

Likewise, students on Youth Allowance will continue to receive payments when their classes are cancelled.

People aged 22-65 who cannot work because they have coronavirus or are in isolation can apply for a sickness allowance if they do not have leave entitlements, such as sick leave.

People under 22 in the same situation can apply for the Youth Allowance.

Recipients who claim the Family Tax Benefit as a lump sum after the end of the financial year will be eligible for the payment if they are eligible for the Family Tax Benefit in the 2019-20 financial year and will receive the one-off payment as part of their lump sum payment.

The government will also give a tax-free payment of $25,000 to businesses with less than $50 million in annual turnover.