Money for those who need it

More than one million Australians will receive a boost to their Australian Government payments from January 1.These are payments for people who need support, such as carers, students and young people with disability, and they increase to keep pace with rising living costs. This extra assistance is being driven by the rising consumer price index and for those who rely on these payments, it’s vital that they keep pace with cost of living increases.However it's also important to remember that every benefit payment made is paid for by another taxpayer, and the Liberal National Coalition Government will continue to work to make the system fiscally sustainable.[box style="1 or 2"]The main payment increases are as follows:

• Carers will receive an extra $3.50 a fortnight to bring their rate to $121.70 a fortnight.
• Students and young jobseekers receiving Youth Allowance will get an increase of between $6.80 and $16.30 a fortnight.
• Young long-term unemployed people commencing full-time study and receiving Youth Allowance will get increases of up to $15.10 a fortnight.
• Single people aged less than 21 years receiving the Disability Support Pension will get increases of between $10.30 and $15.90 a fortnight.
• Members of a couple aged less than 21 years receiving the Disability Support Pension will receive an increase of $15.90 a fortnight.
• Students receiving Austudy will get an increase of between $12.40 and $16.30 a fortnight.

Payments such as Mobility Allowance and Double Orphan Pension will also increase, and additional child amounts (paid under some social security agreements) and permissible child earnings limits are also adjusted from 1 January 2015.[/box]You can find out more at:  http://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-department/benefits-payments/indexation-rates-january-2015