PM urges Aussies to check eligibility for $750 COVID Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment as Omicron soars
Prime Minister Scott Morrison is urging Australians to examine their eligibility for COVID-19 pandemic holiday disaster payments, as O'Micron soars through the community, setting new records for NSW and Victoria.
A $750 payment is available for eligible individuals for each seven-day period they have been asked to self-isolate or quarantine, or if they are caring for someone who has COVID-19. Payment seekers will have to make a fresh claim for every seven day period.
Mr Morrison said financial measures are already in place for those who are forced into quarantine because of a state government requirement.
“It has been an important tool that we have … and a large number of Australians have done so,” Mr Morrison said.
“I encourage people to become familiar with the supports that are in place. Support is already there for people who are in a situation where they are forced to isolate.”
How to apply
- To be eligible for payment, the following criteria must apply to you:
- You can't work and earn
- You have no sick leave entitlement
You have been instructed to self-isolate or quarantine by a state or territory health department, a person employed by the state or regional health department, or a person from the state and territory education department working as a contact tracer.
These agencies should specifically tell you to self-isolate or quarantine because of a diagnosis of COVID-19, which is being identified as a close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19, or someone who Needs care for someone who has been diagnosed with or is a close contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19.
Labor health spokesman Mark Butler said Mr Morrison had no plans to support businesses and the primary care industries.
"The speed with which this fourth wave has burst around Australia means that businesses, health care settings, childcare centers are having to close or lay off their workforces," he said.
"There are no plans on how to support Australia's businesses, the healthcare sector, the childcare sector, from Scott Morrison from Canberra, which has reported hundreds of centers closing over the next few weeks."
