Social Security is the state’s benefit paid to residents in Australia when they meet certain criteria or have some special needs.
People who are aged, sick, disabled, single parents, unemployed, widows, families with children are some of the categories of those that are eligible for social security benefits. People who want to avail the social security benefits are subjected to income test or means test. Social security payments are reduced or cancelled if the person has sufficient income or means of income.
New migrants have to wait for 104 weeks to be eligible to avail social security payments. However, refugees and humanitarian immigrants are exempted from the waiting period. Migrants can claim certain special benefits under exceptional circumstances. In some cases, the sponsors of the migrants have to provide an assurance of support. In that case the sponsors have to repay the Australian Government in case if the migrants avail any welfare benefits during the first two waiting years.
Newstart Allowance:
Newstart Allowance is an income support payment that is paid either to the unemployed or to the people who are treated as unemployed.
These are the eligibility criteria for Newstart Allowance:
- Be an Australian and resident of Australia.
- Unemployed, including casual work, part-time work, or temporary work.
- Age: between 21 and pension age.
- Sign Employment Pathway Plan and agree to its Terms and Conditions.
- Qualify Income and Assets Test.
- Undertake Activity Test, while looking for job.
Age Pension:
The Age Pension provides income support to older Australians who need it and, at the same time encourages the pensioners to increase their other sources of income.
The eligibility criteria for the Age Pension are:
- Qualify age requirements.
- Should have been an Australian resident for a total of at least 10 years, with at least five continuous years.
- Qualify income and means test.
Widow Allowance:
The widow allowance is paid to the woman who was born on or before 1 July 1955 and:
- Has lost the support of partner.
- Is widowed, divorced, or separated since turning 40.
- Does not have recent work experience.
- Qualify income and asset tests.
- Fulfill residence requirements.
Parenting Payment:
Parenting payment is paid by the Australian Government to the principal carer of a dependent child. It is an income support payment for both single parent and partnered parents. In case of partnered parents, it is payable to only one member of the couple.
The eligibility criteria to receive parenting payment are:
- Single parent and principal carer for at least 1 child aged less than 8.
- Partnered and principal carer for at least 1 child aged less than 6.
- The income and assets less than certain amount.
- Resident of Australia.
