Cost of Living Payment

Legislative Authority

Treasury Laws Amendment (Cost of Living Support and Other Measures) Bill 2022

Stated Purpose/Intent

In response to the rising cost of living, the Government announced a one-off $250 Cost of Living Payment to be paid to recipients of certain benefits from Services Australia and DVA.

Eligibility

A person must be an Australian resident and receiving one of the following underlying payments as at the test date of 29 March 2022:

• Service Pension (Age, Invalidity and Partner)* or Income Support Supplement*
• Veteran Payment
• Disability Compensation Payment (formerly known as Disability Pension)
• Special Rate Disability Pension
• Permanent Impairment compensation**
• War Widow(er)’s Pension or Wholly Dependent Partner payment**
• Gold Cards, Commonwealth Seniors Health Cards and Pensioner Concession Cards
• Education Allowance under DVA’s Education Schemes, where recipients are aged 16 and over
• Age Pension paid by DVA

*including payments reduced to nil due to employment income during the 12 weeks prior to 29 March 2022.

**including lump sum payments taken in the past.

Notes

1. A person may receive only one Cost of Living Payment.

2. Those temporarily overseas on the test date may still receive the Cost of Living Payment, as long as they do not hold residency status in another country.

Date of Introduction

The Cost of Living Payment was announced on 29 March 2022 as part of the 2022-23 Budget, with payments commencing 28 April 2022.

Purpose/Intent

The Government announced the Cost of Living Payment as part of a broader package of measures to provide assistance with the rising costs of living experienced in early 2022.