Weekly payment of income support to Centrelink’s vulnerable
Changes to the social security law have been passed by Parliament in response to the Australian Government’s White Paper – The Road Home: a National Approach to Reducing Homelessness.
As part of the strategy for addressing homelessness, weekly payments of social security benefits can now be made for the most vulnerable recipients, including those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Receiving income support benefits on a weekly basis is voluntary. Centrelink will work with vulnerable people to assess their needs and offer weekly payments where this is the best option for the customer.
Eligible recipients who have difficulty managing their finances to the end of a fortnight may include those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, with mental health issues, or gambling and/or substance addictions.
Some victims of domestic violence may also be offered weekly payments.
Recipients will retain their fortnightly instalment periods. An instalment period is the period during which a person’s income and assets are taken into account and applied to the rate of social security payment for which the recipient qualifies.
Centrelink will conduct regular reviews of weekly payments to ensure that weekly payments are assisting the recipients to better manage their funds.
The frequency of the review will depend on the person’s circumstances. Twelve months will be the maximum period for a person to receive weekly payments without a review.
