Individuals and businesses across New South Wales are being urged to reach out and claim financial support payments as Greater Sydney enters its fourth week of lockdown.
One measure available is the COVID-19 Disaster Payment, jointly funded between state and federal governments.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has also announced a slew of grants for businesses and sole traders affected by the lockdown, which she hopes will encourage residents to comply with health restrictions.
From this week, grants are available to businesses across NSW, with JobSaver payments and micro-business grants available later in July.
Here's a look at the key support measures available to individuals and businesses in NSW, and how to claim them.
COVID-19 Disaster Payment
The is a recurring weekly payment available for individuals living in Commonwealth-declared hotspots where restrictions lasting for more than seven days have caused them to experience reduced work hours or lost income.
It is accessible for Australian residents and eligible working visa holders - including temporary visa holders and international students with the right to work.
People across Greater Sydney who have lost less than 20 hours of work per week can now claim $375 for each week of lockdown if they're eligible, while those who have lost 20 hours or more per week can claim $600.
NSW residents outside Greater Sydney can also claim the payment if they are unable to earn their usual income and they meet the general eligibility rules. For a full list of eligibility requirements, click .
The payment is only available to those unable to claim other support payments. It is also taxable, which means it must be included in an income tax return.
Government Services Minister Linda Reynolds said on Monday the level of the payment “is about right” as a temporary support measure, which is "designed to help families put food on the table and keep the bills paid throughout this period”.
Authorities are urging NSW residents to make claims online through their Centrelink accounts.
Information is available through the .
A phone service is also available to those with particular requirements. Eligible visa holders can call 180 22 66 to file their claim, while a multilingual phone service is available on 131 202.
Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment
The is for people who can't earn an income because they must self-isolate, quarantine, or care for someone who has COVID-19.
The payment is $1,500 for each 14-day stretch of quarantine, isolation, or care for someone with COVID-19. A new claim is needed for each period.
The Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment is also a taxable income that must be included in a tax return.
To claim, call 180 22 66, or print and complete the and fax it to 1300 727 760.
NSW COVID-19 Business Grants
are one-off payments for businesses that have experienced a downturn in revenue as a direct result of lockdowns.
To qualify, businesses need to have an annual turnover of $75,000.
The amounts vary depending on the decline in turnover experienced during the restrictions. Businesses that have experienced a 30 per cent decline can claim $5,000, those experiencing a 50 per cent decline can claim $7,500, and those proving a 70 per cent decline can claim $15,000.
To apply, businesses need to compare their turnover over for a minimum two-week period after lockdown commenced to a minimum two-week period in June and/or July 2019.
JobSaver payments
The provides fortnightly payments to small and medium-sized businesses with the aim of maintaining staffing levels.
Businesses with a turnover of more than $75,000 can receive payments of up to 40 per cent of their weekly payroll, with a minimum weekly payment of $1,500 to a maximum of $10,000.
Sole traders will be eligible to apply for weekly payments of $1,000.
To be eligible, businesses must show that turnover has declined by 30 per cent during the lockdown when compared with an equivalent period in June or July 2019.
Importantly, businesses must demonstrate that their staffing levels have been maintained at the level they were as of 13 July 2021 to continue receiving payments.
Businesses can also opt in to defer all payroll tax liabilities for the next two months.
Applications for JobSaver open on 26 July, with payments expected to start from 30 July. Businesses can .
COVID-19 Micro Business Grants
Small businesses and sole traders with an annual turnover of between $30,000 and $75,000 will be able to apply for of $1,500 per fortnight while restrictions continue.
To be eligible, businesses must show that turnover has declined by 30 per cent during the lockdown when compared with an equivalent period in June or July 2019.
Applications are expected to open in late July, with businesses and sole traders able to .
MusicKeeper and CrewKeeper
These one-off cash grants of $2,000 (or $2,700 for families with dependent children) are intended to cushion the blow for artists, crew and music workers who remain largely unable to earn income due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions.
Eviction moratoriums
to ensure eligible COVID-impacted residential tenants are protected from eviction.
The 60-day moratorium period runs from 14 July until 11 September, with eligible tenants needing to prove a reduction in income of at least 25 per cent.
Landlords and tenants are encouraged to work together and negotiate rent reductions if a tenant is unable to pay in full due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Landlords will be required to attempt mediation before recovering bonds or evicting tenants impacted by the public health orders. Those who reduce rent will be compensated with either a grant of up to $1,500 or a land tax reduction.
Commercial and retail tenants have also been given protections, with no lockouts or evictions during the moratorium.
Around $12 million of additional funding has also been pledged for temporary accommodation for those at risk of homelessness.
What about Victorians and South Australians?
will be available to Victorian residents from 23 July - that's this Friday - after the state's lockdown was extended by one week.
Premier Daniel Andrews on Tuesday confirmed the five-day lockdown would be extended until midnight on 27 July.
Up to $200 million in cash grants has been made available to businesses affected by the lockdown, with an automatic payment set up for eligible businesses and sole traders across the state.
It applies to up to 90,000 businesses that have received - or are set to receive - payments through the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund and Business Costs Assistance Program, established in the state’s May-June lockdown. The payments are made at $3,000 and $2,000 respectively.
A number of South Australian local government areas have also been declared Commonwealth hotspots after the state announced a seven-day lockdown.
It means eligible South Australians in Adelaide, Burnside, Campbelltown, Charles Sturt, Holdfast Bay, Marion, Mitcham, Norwood Payneham and St Peters, Onkaparinga, Playford, Port Adelaide Enfield, Prospect, Salisbury, Tea Tree Gully, Unley, West Torrens, Gawler and Walkerville, as well as the Adelaide Hills Council, can seek the COVID-19 Disaster Payment.
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