Budget Promises To Boost Payments To Help With Cost-Of-Living Pressures

Social security increases will see more than 900 people across Hawkesbury and the Blue Mountains according to Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman.

As part of the Budget’s $14.6 billion cost-of-living package, Jobseeker, Youth Allowance, Parenting Payment, Austudy, ABStudy, youth Disability Support Pension and Special benefit will be increased by $40 per fortnight.

Ms Templeman said that meant 8400 people in Macquarie would receive a $40 fortnightly increase.

“For 365 Jobseekers in the Hawkesbury and Blue Mountains, aged between 55 and 50 who have been on income support for nine or more continuous months, there will be a payment increase of $92.10 per fortnight,” she said.

“We know this group, largely women, face multiple barriers to finding work.

“There will be more than 400 single parents locally who move from JobSeeker to Parenting Payment, giving them and their children an extra $176.90 per fortnight.

“And more than 5000 households with the largest increase to Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA) in more than 30 years.

“The new rates will commence from 20 September 2023, subject to the passage of legislation.

“Getting more Australians into work remains Labor’s ultimate goal, but for those who are unable to support themselves, are studying or need extra help, our social security system is a safety net.

“And we know that often the additional support flows through to local businesses.

“The increases are part of a suite of measures Labor is delivering in the 2023-24 Budget, including the energy savings, and historic investments in Medicare, which all work together to help ease cost-of-living pressures in a targeted way.”

• Topics:

• Government
• Living and Lifestyle
• Cost Of Living