Here’s How to Know If You Are Eligible for NSW Pandemic Leave Payment
Workers will have access to the federal government’s paid pandemic leave program
The NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian has opted for the federal government scheme which pays people AUD 1500 pandemic leave payment. It covers people who don’t have sick leave if they need to self-isolate to stop the spread of the virus. It’s good for people who don’t have JobKeeper payment access either.
Here’s how to know if you are eligible for NSW pandemic leave
If you need to self-isolate because you have COVID-19 or you came in close contact of somebody who had it, you might be eligible for a one-off AUD 1500 payment that would let you take care of the general living costs.
There is no limit on how many times you can access this pandemic leave payment. So, in case you have to self-isolate twice, you can access this payment twice. But do remember that this payment is considered as taxable income so you must disclose it in 2020-21 tax return.
You will be eligible if you have been directed to quarantine or self-isolate by NSW health due to any of the following reasons.
- You have COVID-19, or you are the primary caregiver of a child under 16 who has this disease
- You have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, and you need to self-isolate as per the law
- You are the primary caregiver of someone under 16 who needs to self-isolate
Make sure you satisfy these criteria too before you apply for NSW Pandemic Payment Leave
- You are 17 years of age or older than that
- Your period of quarantine began after September 17
- You live in NSW
- You have no income during the self-isolation period
- You are not getting a salary, sick/personal leave or income support payments like Youth Allowance, JobSeeker or JobKeeper payments
How to Apply for NSW Pandemic Leave Payment
You need to make a new claim of each time you have to self-isolate yourself as per law. To lodge a claim, you can call 180 22 66. You can also fax the Claim for Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment form to Services Australia on 1300 727 760.
The PM’s observation seems good in this scenario. He said “What we’re dealing with here is a disaster. And we need a disaster payment when it comes for people who have to isolate for a period of 14 days through no fault of their own, regardless of their job — what job they’re in or employment they’re in – they need that support.”
We think the NSW pandemic leave payment is a smart move given the fact that the COVID vaccine is still far away (though the trials of Oxford University have resumed) and Coronavirus update news like cases of reinfection are still terrifying people. Won’t you agree?
