In 2025, Australians will begin the delivery of new cost of living payments, designed to help people who are most impacted by the cost of living challenges. At $955, this new payment is part of the new measures released by the budget and will be implemented by Centrelink, as everyday essential costs including grocery and necessary utility prices continue to increase. Increasing living costs, housing, and utilities contributes to everyday expenses.
Description of $955 Payment
Economical hardship from rising costs is the main reason Australian government will deliver the one off payment. The $955 payment is necessary to keep up with costs as inflation continues to increase. The intention of this payment and the supplementary support that has been released is to provide aid and support as the costs of living continue to increase. Automatic payment will be made available to people as no application is required to be made.
Who is included?
Those included as part of the government support are Age pensioners, people receiving disability and carer payments, jobseeker participants, low income, and veteran families as well as people with concession and Senior Health Cards. Payments will be made available to these people as of the expected eligible date mid June 2025. Self funded retirees and people earning over the stipulated caps are excluded from these payments.
Payment Dates and Process
Starting on June 22, 2025, payments will be disbursed directly to eligible recipients’ bank accounts through Centrelink. No manual application will be needed to make this process as convenient as possible, ensuring that aid is delivered to eligible Australians as swiftly as possible. To prevent payment delays, Centrelink must be kept up to date with clients’ information.
Key Features Compared to Previous Support
These payments will add to the cost of living support received previously, like the 2020 payment of $750 and smaller support payments received in the years that followed. The direct payment of $955, however, was designed to address the increases in inflation, especially the rising costs of housing, gas, and other basic living expenses. This payment is in direct response to the growing concerns that have been voiced. In addition to these payments, support will be given through indexation on the core benefits, energy relief rebates, and other relief measures.
| Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Payment Amount | $955 |
| Eligibility | Centrelink recipients |
| Payment Date | June 22, 2025 |
Impact and Criticisms
Although the payments have been received positively, there are still concerns that support will be provided to these social systems in Australia. Everyone is expecting aid to be given more frequently and predictably, as the aid given at the moment is largely inconsistent.
Questions and Answers
Q1. Who will receive the $955 payment?
Recipients will be those receiving Centrelink payments and those with concession cards by the cut-off date.
Q2. Do I need to do anything to receive the payment?
No. Eligible payments will be made without any action from the recipient, provided that Centrelink information is up to date.
Q3. What will happen if I do nothing and don’t meet the cut-off?
No appeals will be available, and no payments will be made to those who do not meet the criteria.
