Earlier changes

What's new

6 April 2020

COVID-19 Essential Workers Leave Support

The COVID-19 Essential Workers Leave Support is now available under 'Specific employment-related assistance'. See:

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1 April 2020

Changes to Map from 1 April 2020

A large number of changes in Map have been published for the Annual General Adjustment to financial assistance available for clients, including from the Income Support Package and COVID-19 Recovery Package.

Due to the number of changes it would really help us if you find any errors, please contact us so we can fix them.

Annual general adjustment

Rates increased on 1 April 2020 by the annual general adjustment have been amended in Deskfile. Other parts of Map have also been amended to incorporate the increased rates.

Increase to main benefit rates

A one-off increase has been made to main benefit rates. This is on top of the annual increase on 1 April. The following benefits will have an increase of $25 in payments:

  • Jobseeker Support
  • Sole Parent Support
  • Supported Living Payment
  • Young Parent Payment
  • Youth Payment

Transitional Assistance Payment

A Transitional Assistance Payment has been introduced so no clients will have their extra help affected by increases in main benefits and other assistance. This is a non-taxable payment for clients whose extra help may have been reduced by changes from the Income Support Package and COVID-19 Recovery Package. Clients will automatically get the Transitional Assistance Payment, and they do not need to apply. See:

Winter Energy Payment

Winter Energy Payments have doubled for this winter. See:

Removal of Child Support deductions

The benefits of sole parents are no longer reduced when clients cannot identify a paying parent. See:

Income abatement thresholds

The amount a client can earn before their benefit is reduced due to additional income has increased. The amount of the increase depends on the clients personal circumstances. See:

Minimum wage

The adult minimum wage, the starting-out wage, and the training minimum wage increased on 1 April 2020. See:

Legislation

The following ministerial direction has been updated, effective from 1 April 2020:

This is also available in a hard-copy (PDF) format. See ministerial directions.

The following welfare programme has been added, effective from 1 April 2020:

This is also available in a hard-copy (PDF) format. See welfare programmes.

The following welfare programmes have been updated, effective from 1 April 2020:

These are also available in a hard-copy (PDF) format. See welfare programmes.

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