Changes to Centrelink’s urgent payments system come into effect this week, largely in response to high levels of client aggression directed at Centrelink staff when payments are denied.
Welfare recipients who need an urgent cash advance may now find it easier to get them, with the requests to be granted almost automatically, however capped at two per year. If more than the allotted two advances are requested, the client will be moved onto weekly payments instead of fortnightly and counselled in financial management.
It is reported that Human Services Minister Alan Tudge said that the payments were in response to aggression faced by Centrelink staff, with 21 per cent of incidents following an urgent payment request and the vast majority coming after a refusal.
The advance payments are not on top of regular payments, rather they are simply an advance on future scheduled payments.
Advance payments, which are provided as a loan, and crisis payments, will not be changed under the reforms.
The changes come as part of a range of reforms to welfare, which include a plan to speed up disability support pension claims, and to work with doctor to better understand and determine who is eligible for disability support, as currently only a quarter of those who apply for disability support are deemed eligible.