Eligible Victorians impacted by COVID-19 restrictions can claim the COVID-19 Disaster Payment from today.

The COVID-19 Disaster Payment is available to help Victorians whose income or hours of work have been impacted by the current lockdown.

Senator Bridget McKenzie, Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience, explained people are now able to claim for the first week of this current lockdown, covering the period 16–22 July.

“Eligible people will be able to get $600 per week if they have lost 20 or more hours of work, and $375 per week if they have lost between 8 and less than 20 hours of work, or a full day of work,” SenatorMcKenzie said.

Senator Linda Reynolds, Minister for Government Services, encouraged people to claim the COVID-19 Disaster Payment online.

“Victorians can submit an application from today, with myGov being the fastest and easiest way to claim,” Minister Reynolds said.

“Payments are mostly being made within one business day and in some instances as soon as 40 minutes.

“The payment will be recurring, meaning people will be paid automatically for any additional weeks of lockdown.

“People need to tell Services Australia about any change to their circumstances, such as if they return to work or get a new job.”

There will be no liquid assets test applied to eligibility for these payments.

The COVID-19 Disaster Payments build upon the $45.4 billion of Commonwealth support that has already been delivered to Victoria.

More information about financial support available to Victorians, and how to claim, is online at: servicesaustralia.gov.au/covid19disasterpayment