Hardship payments

TASMANIANS asked to quarantine and those who lost income during the snap threeday lockdown are eligible for Commonwealth support payments.

Premier Peter Gutwein said those who had lost earnings would be eligible for federal government help through the Covid-19 disaster payment.

The lump-sum payment is for workers unable to earn income due to a Covid-19 state or territory public health order.

“It was agreed at national cabinet … that would come into effect when an area is designated as a hotspot – which we have been – but there is a time period of seven days,” Mr Gutwein said.

“Working with the Commonwealth, we are very pleased to announce that that will be available on a pro-rata basis for Tasmanians in terms of the short lockdown.

“People can log on from this coming Friday on to MyGov and the pandemic disaster payment on a pro rata basis will be made available for them.”

The $1500 commonwealth pandemic leave disaster payment is also available for people living in Tasmania who can’t earn an income because they must self-isolate, quarantine or care for someone who has Covid-19.

The state government pandemic isolation assistance grants scheme provides help for those who are directed to have a test or are placed into 14 days quarantine, with financial assistance of $250 per adult and $125 per child, capped at $1,000 per household available to help people whose income is affected. The scheme’s criteria has been extended to include people who have been impacted by the stay at home order but not necessarily placed into quarantine for 14 days.

Mr Gutwein said further business support was coming.

“Business Tasmania are developing a broader package .. there have been some businesses where they’ve had significant stock on hand expecting to have either a function or a large weekend of trading and spoilage has occurred,” he said.