South Australian households struggling with rising living costs are urged to apply for a range of cost-of-living assistance programs before the deadline of December 31, 2024. Eligible applicants could receive up to $1,100 in financial relief, aimed at easing the strain of increased expenses.
These concessions are specifically designed for low-income earners, seniors, families, single parents, and individuals with disabilities. However, many eligible households have not yet applied for these benefits.
Available Centrelink Support for South Australian Households
The South Australian government offers a range of concessions to help residents manage everyday living costs. Here is an overview of the assistance available:
| Type of Relief | Maximum Payment Amount |
|---|---|
| Cost of Living | $255.60 |
| Energy | $274.85 |
| Water | Up to $398.40 |
| Sewerage | $162.20 |
| Medical Heating & Cooling | $274.85 |
| Emergency Services Levy | $46 |
In addition to these financial relief payments, over 400,000 Seniors Card holders are eligible for free public transport. Starting January 1, 2025, all individuals with a Centrelink Health Care Card will also be eligible for this transport concession.
Extra Support for Families
Families can also access initiatives designed to ease educational and extracurricular costs. These include:
- Sports Voucher Program: Each child in a family will receive two $100 vouchers in 2025 to help cover the costs of extracurricular activities.
- School Subsidies: Starting in 2025, the subsidy for materials and services charges for children attending government schools will increase to $200 per child.
Government’s Call for Action
Human Services Minister Nat Cook stressed the importance of these concessions in light of the ongoing cost-of-living pressures. “We know that a significant portion of South Australian households are already benefiting from these concessions, but there are still many eligible households who haven’t applied yet,” Cook said.
She encouraged all residents to verify their eligibility and apply for the 2024-2025 Cost of Living Concession before the December 31 deadline. Applications can be submitted online or via the Concessions SA hotline.
Who is Eligible for These Cost of Living Concessions?
Eligibility requirements vary depending on the specific concession, but generally, applicants must be low-income households or recipients of Centrelink payments. The following concession cards and payments make you eligible for these relief programs:
Qualifying Concession Cards:
- Pensioner Concession Card
- Veteran Gold Card
- Low Income Health Care Card
- Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
Eligible Centrelink Payments:
- JobSeeker
- Youth Allowance
- Parenting Payment
- Special Benefit
- ABSTUDY
How to Apply for the Centrelink Cost of Living Payment
Applications for the Centrelink Cost of Living Payment can be submitted online via the official Concessions SA portal, or by calling the Concessions SA hotline at 1800 307 758 to request an application form by post. Residents are urged to act promptly to ensure they receive the support they are entitled to.
These initiatives reflect the South Australian government’s commitment to providing financial assistance to residents facing economic hardship, helping them to meet essential needs and maintain their quality of life.