Carers now getting their bonus payments
June 20, 2008
Eden-Monaro’s 656 carers have started to receive bonuses from the Australian Government to assist with the financial pressures they face while performing a critical role in our community.
Mike Kelly, Member for Eden-Monaro
“They are among more than 430,000 eligible carers across Australia, all of whom should have received their bonus payments worth a combined total of $428.1 million by the end on this month,” the Member for Eden-Monaro, Mike Kelly said.
“The Government recognises the enormous pressures carers face. They perform a vital role in our community under very difficult circumstances.
“We are committed to the long-term needs of this group.”
Recipients of Carer Payments and Department of Veterans’ Affairs Carer Service Pensions will each receive $1,000 bonus payments.
Carer Allowance recipients who receive a Wife Pension or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Partner Service Pension also receive $1,000.
Carer Allowance recipients will be paid $600 for each eligible care receiver.
“The Government values the contribution of carers in our society, which is why we are retaining and introducing new measures that assist them,” Dr Kelly said.
These measures include;
- Fairer and simpler access to financial support for eligible carers looking after children with a severe disability;
- $100 million for additional supported accommodation to help ageing parents who can no longer care for their disabled children at home; and,
- Extending the Utilities Allowance to Carer Payment recipients.
