South Australian households facing financial strain are encouraged to apply for a range of cost-of-living concessions before the deadline of December 31, 2024. Eligible residents could receive up to $1,100 in financial assistance, aimed at easing the pressure of rising living costs.
According to Yahoo Finance, these concessions are designed for low-income households, including older adults, families, single parents, and individuals with disabilities. However, many eligible households have yet to claim the available support.
Table of Contents
- Available Centrelink Support for South Australian Households
- Additional Benefits for Families
- South Australian Government’s Call to Action
- Who Qualifies for the Cost of Living Concessions?
- How to Apply for the Centrelink Payment?
Available Centrelink Support for South Australian Households
South Australia offers several relief options to assist residents in managing everyday expenses. Here’s a summary of the available support:
| Type of Relief | Maximum Payment Amount |
|---|---|
| Cost of Living | $255.60 |
| Energy | $274.85 |
| Water | Up to $398.40 |
| Sewerage | $162.20 |
| Medical Heating and Cooling | $274.85 |
| Emergency Services Levy | $46 |
Additionally, from January 1, 2025, free public transport will be available for over 400,000 Seniors Card holders. This public transport concession will extend to all Centrelink Health Care Cardholders.
Additional Benefits for Families
Families will also benefit from initiatives aimed at reducing educational and extracurricular costs, including:
- Sports Voucher Program: Each child will receive two $100 vouchers in 2025 to help cover sports and extracurricular activities.
- School Subsidies: The subsidy for materials and services charges for children attending government schools will increase to $200 per child, effective from 2025.
South Australian Government’s Call to Action
Human Services Minister Nat Cook emphasized the importance of these concessions for residents facing financial hardship due to the cost-of-living crisis.
“We understand that rising costs are impacting many households, and we know that a quarter of South Australian households are already benefiting from these concessions,” Minister Cook said. “However, many eligible residents have yet to apply, and we urge them to do so before the December 31 deadline.”
Minister Cook encouraged all eligible households to check their eligibility and submit applications before the cutoff. Applications can be made online or by calling the Concessions SA hotline.
Who Qualifies for These Cost of Living Concessions?
Eligibility for the various cost-of-living concessions generally includes those who hold qualifying concession cards, receive Centrelink payments, or have low incomes. The qualifying cards include:
- Pensioner Concession Card
- Veteran Gold Card
- Low Income Health Care Card
- Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
Eligible Centrelink payments that qualify residents for assistance include:
- JobSeeker
- Youth Allowance
- Parenting Payment
- Special Benefit
- ABSTUDY
How to Apply for Centrelink Cost of Living Payment?
To apply, residents can visit the official Concessions SA portal online. Alternatively, they can contact the Concessions SA hotline at 1800 307 758 to request an application form by mail. The government urges eligible individuals to act promptly to secure the financial assistance they are entitled to.
These cost-of-living programs reflect the South Australian government’s ongoing commitment to supporting residents during times of financial difficulty. By offering targeted financial relief, the government aims to ease the burden on vulnerable households, ensuring that they can continue accessing essential services and maintain their quality of life.