What's new
6 July 2020
Orphans Benefit and Unsupported Childs Benefit
From 6 July 2020, caregivers getting Orphans Benefit or Unsupported Childs Benefit will get an extra $25.00 a week for each child in their care. See:
- Deskfile Orphans Benefit and Unsupported Childs Benefit rate
- Orphans Benefit and Unsupported Childs Benefit
Rent Arrears Assistance
Temporary changes have been made to Rent Arrears Assistance from 6 July 2020. These changes allow more people to get this assistance even though they may be eligible for Recoverable Assistance Payment or Advance Payment of Benefit. The amount that can be accessed has also increased from $2,000 to $4,000 until 31 December 2020. See:
Legislation
The following welfare programme has been updated, effective from 6 July 2020:
This is also available in a hard-copy (PDF) format. See welfare programmes.
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1 July 2020
Residential Care Subsidy
The Residential Care Subsidy asset thresholds, income from assets exemptions, and Territorial Local Authority maximum contribution rates increased on 1 July 2020. See:
- Residential Care Subsidy Asset thresholds
- Residential Care Subsidy Income from assets
- Deskfile Asset thresholds
- Deskfile Income from assets exemption
- Deskfile Territorial Local Authority maximum contribution rates
Student Loan - Targeted Training and Apprenticeship Fund
The Targeted Training and Apprenticeship Fund covers course fees, compulsory course costs and compulsory student service fees for all students studying eligible qualifications and programmes from 1 July 2020 to 31 December 2022.
If a student has already paid their course costs or compulsory fees they need to contact their education provider. See:
In-work tax credit
Working families no longer have a minimum hours requirement to qualify for 'In-work tax credit' payments. This includes both existing and new In-work tax credit clients. See:
Paid Parental Leave payments
A person can get Paid Parental Leave payments for up to 26 weeks from 1 July 2020. These payments are charged as income. See:
