Latest news with #DisabilitySupportPension
ABC News
29-07-2025
- General
- ABC News
Why the Disability Support Pension's partner income test is once again under scrutiny
If Naomi Kilmany falls in love, she's worried her income will be halved — or cut off completely. Like almost 800,000 Australians, the 24-year-old is on the Disability Support Pension. She earns the maximum rate of just over $500 a week, which helps her cover things like groceries, medical expenses and rent in a Melbourne share house. And like so many of her peers, she is also active on dating apps. "I really want the opportunity to be happy and find love and to have that be as joyous and light as it should be," she told triple j Hack. Naomi's worried about the partner income test, which lowers the amount of welfare someone can receive if their partner earns too much. She says it "makes disabled people feel really undesirable," when her health means she "already feels like a burden". Now, there's a campaign to scrap partner income testing altogether. The Disability Support Pension (DSP) was introduced in 1991 to support people who have a physical, intellectual or psychiatric impairment that prevents them from working more than 15 hours a week. To get the DSP, applicants have to meet a set of eligibility criteria. DSP payments are then cut if a recipient's income — or their income combined with a partner's — goes over a set amount. Those cuts are 50 cents for every dollar over $218 a fortnight for a single, or $380 combined a fortnight for someone in a couple. But advocates like Sophia Redjeb say the test is unfair. Their petition, which has attracted almost 20,000 signatures, is calling for the partner income test to be scrapped altogether. "Why is the government forcing some of Australia's most vulnerable to be financially dependent on their partner?" Redjeb says. "Disabled people are already more likely to experience intimate partner violence and have a cost of living that's higher than those without disabilities," they said. The 20-year-old isn't the first to call for change. In 2021, there was a Senate committee inquiry into the DSP, where advocacy group People with Disability Australia requested the government "immediately remove" the partner income test "to restore financial independence for people who rely on the DSP". While the committee didn't include the partner test in its final inquiry report, it did recommend the government reconsider the income test as a whole, and suggested raising the threshold at which payments start being cut. But the government never responded to the inquiry's 30 recommendations; it didn't table its official response until late last year, when it stated that a "substantive government response [was] no longer appropriate" due to "the passage of time since the report was tabled". A similar petition calling to scrap the partner test was rejected in 2023, with the government explaining it as a "needs-based" system. Tai, 29, had to quit his job as a retail manager because of his dissociation disorder, which can prevent him from functioning for weeks at a time. At first, being approved for the DSP gave him the "peace of mind" he needed, knowing he was backed up if an episode came on. That was until his payment was more than halved by the partner income test, leaving him with about $330 last fortnight — or just over $160 a week — to contribute to the mortgage, bills and groceries of his young family. He says it's left him and his wife living "pay cheque to pay cheque," with his wife picking up a second job "just to pay for the house". "It's a bit messed up that they expect them to work full-time and come home and look after us as well, and for us to use their money when they work for it. A spokesperson from the Department of Social Services said partner income testing, which applies to all welfare payments, is based on the principle that couples are able to pool their resources and share living costs. The spokesperson also said people could be excluded from partner income testing in cases of hardship, abuse or family and domestic violence, enabling the higher single rate to be paid. For Tai, while he says he understands the argument behind the income test — reasoning that if someone had a rich partner "it'd almost feel like you're robbing people" — he doesn't feel it reflects the current era, calling it "prehistoric". Naomi also believes it's outdated, and says most young Australians aren't considering their partner's income. "Maybe they will get some extra gifts at Christmas time, but they're not sitting there every day like; are you ready to pay my rent, pay for my surgeries, pay for my medications, my food," she says. "It's not a hundred years ago when it was more normal to be financially dependent on your partner. "Our dating culture really has changed." Sophia's petition calling for an end to partner income tests is currently awaiting a government response.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Centrelink cash boost coming in weeks for 2.4 million Aussies: ‘More money in bank accounts'
Millions of Centrelink recipients will see a small increase in their payments in the coming weeks. The increase is part of regular indexation, which is designed to ensure payments keep up with the rising cost of living. Around 2.4 million Australians will benefit from the latest round of indexation, which will come into effect from July 1. The increase will see a range of rates, thresholds and limits increase by 2.4 per cent. That includes payment increases for families receiving the Family Tax Benefit A and B, the Multiple Birth Allowance, and the Newborn Supplement. Income and asset thresholds will also be increased for recipients of the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension and Carer Payment. RELATED Centrelink payment change happening next week: 'Will increase' Major RBA interest rate call set to give homeowners $250 per month win $400 cash boost available for thousands of Aussies in new energy rebate Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek said the government's "number one priority" was addressing cost-of-living pressures. 'From 1 July, millions of recipients of social security payments will see more money in their bank accounts," she said. 'Payments like the Family Tax Benefit help cover the costs of raising children for many Australian families, and indexation is a crucial way to help families when cost of living rises." Families getting the Family Tax Benefit Part A will see their maximum fortnightly payments go up to $227.36 a fortnight, an increase of $5.32. For those with children aged 13 or over, the rate will increase to $295.82 a fortnight, which is an increase of $7. Families receiving the Family Tax Benefit Part B will see their maximum rate increase to $193.34, an increase of $4.48. Families with children aged over 5 will see their rate increase to $134.96. First-time parents of a newborn child will receive an extra $48 over 13 weeks, with the Newborn Supplement increasing to $2,052.05. The Multiple Birth Allowance will increase to $196.56 per fortnight for those giving birth to triplets, while payments for quadruplets and more will go up to $261.94 per fortnight. This round of indexation won't impact payment rates for the Age Pension, JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, the Disability Support Pension or Carer Payment. However, there will be income and asset threshold changes. Age Pensioners will be able to earn $218 a fortnight, up $6 a fortnight, and still be eligible for the full pension. The maximum amount you can earn before your pension cuts out will increase to $2,516. For couples, those limits will be $380 per fortnight and $3,844.40 per fortnight for the disqualifying income limit. Single homeowners will be able to have assets of $321,500 and receive the full pension, while couples will be able to have $481,500. The cut-off threshold to receive a part pension will increase to $704,500 for single homeowners and $1,059,000 for couple homeowners. The Paid Parental Leave annual income limits will also increase, with the individual limit increasing to $180,007 per annum and the family limit increasing to $373,094 per annum. Full details of the new rates and thresholds can be found in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Centrelink cash boost coming in weeks for 2.4 million Aussies: ‘More money in bank accounts'
Millions of Centrelink recipients will see a small increase in their payments in the coming weeks. The increase is part of regular indexation, which is designed to ensure payments keep up with the rising cost of living. Around 2.4 million Australians will benefit from the latest round of indexation, which will come into effect from July 1. The increase will see a range of rates, thresholds and limits increase by 2.4 per cent. That includes payment increases for families receiving the Family Tax Benefit A and B, the Multiple Birth Allowance, and the Newborn Supplement. Income and asset thresholds will also be increased for recipients of the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension and Carer Payment. RELATED Centrelink payment change happening next week: 'Will increase' Major RBA interest rate call set to give homeowners $250 per month win $400 cash boost available for thousands of Aussies in new energy rebate Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek said the government's "number one priority" was addressing cost-of-living pressures. 'From 1 July, millions of recipients of social security payments will see more money in their bank accounts," she said. 'Payments like the Family Tax Benefit help cover the costs of raising children for many Australian families, and indexation is a crucial way to help families when cost of living rises." Families getting the Family Tax Benefit Part A will see their maximum fortnightly payments go up to $227.36 a fortnight, an increase of $5.32. For those with children aged 13 or over, the rate will increase to $295.82 a fortnight, which is an increase of $7. Families receiving the Family Tax Benefit Part B will see their maximum rate increase to $193.34, an increase of $4.48. Families with children aged over 5 will see their rate increase to $134.96. First-time parents of a newborn child will receive an extra $48 over 13 weeks, with the Newborn Supplement increasing to $2,052.05. The Multiple Birth Allowance will increase to $196.56 per fortnight for those giving birth to triplets, while payments for quadruplets and more will go up to $261.94 per fortnight. This round of indexation won't impact payment rates for the Age Pension, JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, the Disability Support Pension or Carer Payment. However, there will be income and asset threshold changes. Age Pensioners will be able to earn $218 a fortnight, up $6 a fortnight, and still be eligible for the full pension. The maximum amount you can earn before your pension cuts out will increase to $2,516. For couples, those limits will be $380 per fortnight and $3,844.40 per fortnight for the disqualifying income limit. Single homeowners will be able to have assets of $321,500 and receive the full pension, while couples will be able to have $481,500. The cut-off threshold to receive a part pension will increase to $704,500 for single homeowners and $1,059,000 for couple homeowners. The Paid Parental Leave annual income limits will also increase, with the individual limit increasing to $180,007 per annum and the family limit increasing to $373,094 per annum. Full details of the new rates and thresholds can be found in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Centrelink $4,000 boost Aussies can get now: ‘Keep more of your payment'
Aussies claiming the Age Pension can get a 'one-off boost' of $4,000 through the Work Bonus scheme. The Work Bonus allows older Aussies to earn more income from working without it reducing their Centrelink payments, with Aussies able to start work 'straight away' if they want. Services Australia has issued a reminder about the scheme and how it could help you 'keep more of your payment'. You would be eligible if you're over the age of 67 and collecting the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension or Carer Payment. 'The Work Bonus automatically exempts $300 per fortnight you earn from work. Every fortnight you aren't working or have been paid less than $300 from work, you are contributing to your Work Bonus balance,' Services Australia community services officer Justin Bott explained. 'This balance can grow until it reaches a maximum of $11,800.' RELATED $3,300 Centrelink change that would leave thousands of pensioners worse off: 'Pile on more pain' Tax cuts, HECS debts, Medicare boost: All the major cost-of-living relief coming for millions of Aussies Intimidating salary now needed to afford a home in Australia If you are claiming an eligible pension for the first time, you will automatically start with a Work Bonus balance of $4,000. 'That means you could start work straight away if you wanted, and earn over $4,000 in your pocket before you see any change to your pension rate,' Bott said. 'If you earn more than $300 from work in a single fortnight, any extra income is offset against your Work Bonus Balance. Your pension payment doesn't change until your work bonus balance is reduced to $0.' The Work Bonus isn't money that you can draw on to use for other things. Instead, you use it to keep more of your pension if you are working. Bott gave the example of someone with a Work Bonus balance of $7,900 who returned to work after six months off. He was paid $750 in eligible income in his first fortnight. Services Australia would deduct the $300 fortnightly Work Bonus and then reduce the remaining $450 of income using his Work Bonus balance. This would reduce his Work Bonus balance to $7,450 and his pension payment would not be impacted. Assuming he continued working and being paid $750 a fortnight, it would take around 16 fortnights before his pension was affected by his wages. You don't need to apply for the Work Bonus. You just have to let Centrelink know of any income you receive from work. The Work Bonus is on top of the pension income test free area. Single pensioners can currently earn up to $212 a fortnight of income from any source and still be eligible for the full pension, couples can receive up to $372 a fortnight. The Work Bonus, which only applies to income from paid employment, adds an extra $300 per fortnight. That means singles can earn a combined income of $512 a fortnight and couples $672 a fortnight without it affecting their pension.
ABC News
29-04-2025
- Business
- ABC News
WA rentals out of reach for households on income support, Anglicare report finds
Western Australia's rental crisis has reached new depths, with data from one of the state's charities showing there's not a single property or room that is affordable for people on Jobseeker, Youth Allowance or the Disability Support Pension. Anglicare WA's 2025 Rental Affordability Snapshot shows that despite a significant increase in private rentals listed across WA, affordability is languishing with the state's median rent hitting $680 per week, up five per cent from last year and 21 per cent from 2023. The charity defines an affordable property as one requiring less than 30 per cent of a household's income, and it says rooms across the state are well out of reach for households on income support or the minimum wage. Anglicare WA chief executive Mark Glasson said the report needed to serve as a wake-up call for governments at all levels to do more, and to have a bold vision to come up with long-term solutions. Anglicare WA chief executive Mark Glasson says affordability has tanked for those on low incomes. ( ABC News: Blake Kagi ) "What this survey tells us that no other one has, is that there is absolutely nothing across the whole state if you're on Jobseeker, Youth Allowance or the Disability Pension. We have never had that experience before," Mr Glasson said. "Supply has increased, so there has been a growth in the number of housing that's available … but affordability has tanked. "We've got havoc, we're there now, we actually need to be bold, and have that vision, we need a vision that says we're going to have so much social and affordable housing. Photo shows Gold Coast renters Jazlyn, Melanie and Nahla Misuraca smiling at the camera These are the nation's worst postcodes for renters, as well as the places hit with the biggest rent hikes since the pandemic. "We need a broader vision that says everyone is entitled to a house that they can afford, that's fit and safe and sustainable." A CommSec report this week crowned WA as the nation's best performing economy, but Mr Glasson said countless West Australians aren't seeing any benefit. "Yes we have a bustling economy that's really kicking ahead of the rest of the country, but the question that I would have to our leaders is 'what is that for if we can't house and feed our people'?" he said. Priced out Caitlin Beresford-Ord never imagined she and her family would find herself without a place to rent and reaching out to charities, friends and family members for assistance. Caitlin and her son Darcy could not afford an extra $190 a week for their rental. ( ABC News: Blake Kagi ) But when faced with a $190 per week increase in her long-term rental in the Perth suburb of East Victoria Park, she was left with little choice. She has been forced to move into her parents' house, with her 20-year-old son Darcy Stokes staying in a caravan provided by a friend, which is parked in the driveway of the home. "It's catastrophic, $190 a week, it's huge," Ms Beresford-Ord said. "We stopped private health insurance for quite some time, I had to make all sorts of decisions in order to accommodate that rental hike until we were able to move in here. "I can no longer afford to rent a place and keep my family together and I regularly work seven days a week." Darcy Stokes is living in a caravan parked outside his grandparent's house. ( ABC News: Blake Kagi ) Her son is balancing his studies with work at a fast food restaurant and says his biggest fear is never being able to move out and find a place of his own. "Probably just not being able to move out ever, unless I'm like living with 10 other people or something like that," Mr Stokes said. Exclusive new data shows skyrocketing rents have outpaced income growth in every regional area in Australia and all but one capital city. "None of my friends have moved out yet because it's basically impossible at this point anyway." Mr Glasson said despite so much focus on the cost of living in this year's state and federal election campaigns, the major political parties have failed to come up with long-term solutions to the rental crisis. "What we're seeing is lots of announcements … which are really welcome, they will put more houses on the ground," he said. "But we're talking about proportionality here and the scale of growth that's being projected is nowhere near enough. "The level of social and affordable housing in Western Australia is 3.7 per cent, it's dropped over the last 10 years, we need a bold government that says that's going to get to 6 per cent in this term." Loading
