This will benefit almost 7,000 people in the Bendigo electorate who will receive a boost to their payments.

Single JobSeeker Payment recipients will receive a base payment of $749.20 per fortnight, reflecting a $56.10 increase. This is the largest permanent dollar increase ever to the main adult unemployment benefit in Australia.

For single JobSeeker recipients aged 55-59, who are on payment for nine or more continuous months, eligibility for the higher rate will be extended, resulting in an increase of $92.10 per fortnight.

Parenting Payment Single recipients will receive a base payment rate of $942.40, reflecting a $20.30 increase. Eligible carers will now also be able to access this support until their youngest dependent child turns 14 after changes the Federal Government made in the May Budget.

The Federal Government is raising Commonwealth Rent Assistance for 1.1 million households across the country. This will increase the maximum rate of rent assistance by 15%, in the single largest increase to Commonwealth Rent Assistance in more than 30 years.

Quotes attributable to Member for Bendigo, Lisa Chesters MP:

“These Federal Government income support payment increases are going to help some of the most vulnerable people in our community.

“Increases in the cost-of-living hurts people on fixed incomes the most – that’s why I’m proud to be part of a government that is repairing the social security safety net.

“These changes are all part of the Albanese Labor Government’s commitment to social reform and assisting Australians with mounting cost of living pressures.”

The full list of changes coming into effect on September 20 include:

• Single JobSeeker Payment recipients will receive a base payment of $749.20 per fortnight, reflecting a $56.10 increase. This is the largest permanent dollar increase ever to the main adult unemployment benefit in Australia. Adult ABSTUDY recipients will also receive this boost.
  
  
• Parenting Payment Single recipients will receive a base payment rate of $942.40, reflecting a $20.30 increase. For those single parents transferring to this payment as a result of the Government’s change in the Budget to extend eligibility until their youngest child turns 14 (up from aged eight), they will receive an extra $227.50 per fortnight compared to their current rate, including supplements.
  
  
• Those on a partnered rate of JobSeeker and Parenting Payment will receive a base payment rate of $686.00, reflecting a $54.80 increase.
  
  
• As a result of indexation, recipients of the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension and Carer Payment will also receive an increase to their payments.
  
  
• The single pension rate will increase by $32.70 to $1096.70, and the rate for couples combined will increase by $49.40 to $1653.40. These figures include Pension Supplement and Energy Supplement.
  
  
• Single veterans on a service pension will receive an additional $32.70, bringing their service pension to $1096.70 a fortnight, while veterans on the Disability Compensation Payment (Special Rate), known as the Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Payment will receive an additional $53.00 a fortnight, increasing their payment to $1729.20
  
  
• Income support recipients who are renting will also receive an increase to the maximum rates of Commonwealth Rent Assistance, as a result of both the Government’s 15 per cent increase in the Budget and regular indexation. For single recipients without children, the maximum rate will increase by $27.60 to $184.80 per fortnight. For family payment recipients who have one or two children, the maximum rate will increase by $32.34 to $217.28 per fortnight.
  
  
• Income limits for Commonwealth Seniors Health Card recipients will also be indexed, increasing by $5400 to $95,400 per annum for singles and by $8640 to $152,640 per annum for couples combined.
  
  
• Other supplementary payments including Telephone Allowance and Utilities Allowance are also being indexed.