The ACT lockdown is expected to carry a financial hit for Canberra's workers and businesses alike, but governments have prepared support for those struggling under the restrictions.
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Both federal and territory governments are encouraging those eligible for payments to apply for the help, as the ACT attempts to stamp out the local spread of COVID-19.
The Commonwealth will deliver Covid disaster payments to Canberrans who have lost work during the lockdown, while a package co-funded with the ACT government will help businesses.
I've lost work during the lockdown. What support is available?
The Commonwealth has declared the ACT a pandemic hotspot, and last week announced that eligible workers in the ACT can apply for the COVID-19 Disaster Payment from Friday, August 20.
When claims open that day, workers will be able to claim financial support back to the start of the lockdown.
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Those who are eligible will receive $750 per week if they have lost 20 or more hours of work, and $450 per week if they have lost between eight and less than 20 hours of work, or a full day of work.
People currently receiving an income support payment can also claim an extra payment of $200 if they have lost eight hours or more of work, and meet the other eligibility requirements for the disaster payment.
Members of a couple can both claim this payment, but will need to make separate claims.
How can I make a claim?
The federal government has said the quickest and easiest way to make a claim is online, through the myGov website.
Canberrans who don't already have a myGov account can prepare to claim now by creating one. They will need to link Centrelink to their myGov account.
The lockdown is impacting my business. Is help available?
The federal and ACT governments are co-funding support to small and medium businesses that have been impacted by the territory's COVID-19 lockdown.
The ACT COVID-19 Business Support Grant will deliver grants of $3000 for employing businesses and $1000 for non-employing businesses, where those businesses' turnover has fallen by 30 per cent or more as a result of the Covid health restrictions.
The ACT government is administering the program.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr yesterday said the territory and federal governments will work to provide continued support, and that further details will be provided in the coming days.
ACT senator Zed Seselja has said the business support grant would help meet the serious cash-flow needs of local businesses.
The ACT government has also announced a small business hardship scheme, letting eligible businesses apply for credits on the cost of eligible fees and charges of up to $10,000 per ABN.
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