Thousands of South Australians have started receiving a cash boost of up to $450 to cope with cost of living pressures.
The state’s low and fixed income households are eligible for the payment which is a doubling of last year’s cost of living concession.
Only one person per household is permitted to claim it.
Watch the latest News on Channel 7 or stream for free on 7plus >>
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Cash boost coming to SA’s low-income households
There are currently over 185,000 registered recipients, and those who applied before July will have started to see payments in their bank accounts as of this month.
New eligible applicants still have until December 2022 to apply for the payment.
“South Australians should check whether they are eligible for this payment and register online if necessary,” MP Stephen Mulligan said at the time of the concession announcement.
Concession card-holding homeowners can expect a $449 payment, while senior card-holding, self-funded retirees and public housing renters can expect a $224.60 payment.
The one-off cash injection is a near doubling of the maximum annual concession payment, which has been lifted by up to $231.80 since the last financial year, with the cost of the bump-up estimated at the time of its announcement in May to be $39.3 million.
Concession card-holding homeowners can expect a $449 payment, and senior card-holding self-funded retirees and public housing renters can expect a $224.60 payment. Credit: 7NEWSThe payment was part of the new Labor government’s first budget, and the initiative also brought forward the payment for renters from March next year to August this year.
Human Services Minister Nat Cook told 7NEWS that the advanced payment may leave “an extended period of time without another concession payment” but households needed help now.
“The average family in South Australia is facing pressure that they haven’t seen for some time,” she said.
Greens MP Robert Simms last month criticised the disparity between the concession payment for renters and homeowners.
“At a time when we are facing a full-blown rental affordability crisis, it’s absurd that the government is paying a different rate to renters and homeowners,” he said.
“We know that renters are facing record rent prices and are desperately in need of relief,” he said.
SA Financial Counsellors Association executive officer Kate Fox told 7NEWS that every little bit counts for those most in need.
“(The concession) will make a difference as far as being able to pay bills, or meet those essential payment requirements,” she said.
“Expenses are up and we don’t know for how long, and there’s always a need for more support for people.”
Pensioner Peter Zapris (left) and public housing resident Dave Matthews (right) have both felt the pinch of cost of living pressures. Credit: 7NEWSSouth Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said at the time of the announcement: “I know many South Australians are having to cut back their household budget to meet rising costs.”
Public housing resident Dave Matthews is one of those people and says the payment offers much-needed wiggle room.
“It is nice to have that little bit of a buffer zone,” he told 7NEWS.
“I haven’t done much spending outside of necessities, you know, no luxury items.”
Another pensioner Peter Zapris told 7NEWS: “My wife’s little Barina, I used to fill it up with about $25 to $30. If I go to the petrol station now, I’m looking at about $60.”
Malinauskas said although the rising cost of living was affecting everybody, it was “disproportionately hurting those on low and fixed incomes.
“While the government can’t click its fingers and make the cost of everyday items cheaper, what we can do is provide targeted relief to those who need it most,” he said.
“Doubling the cost of living concession will provide additional relief to people on low and fixed incomes to give them that little bit of extra breathing space.”
How you can save money at tax time this year
How you can save money at tax time this year
Read More