The government is scrambling to fix a loophole that would deny 400,000 laid-off Australians their promised coronavirus welfare payments. A so-called 'benefits cliff' means workers whose partner earns more than $1,844 a fortnight are not eligible for Centrelink. This means they would be denied both the $550 coronavirus supplements, rent assistance, and any other payments. Another million workers are expected to need welfare in coming months and bigger companies like Myer and numerous fashion chains are already shutting down. Their research calculated that only half of primary breadwinners who lost their job would get the $550 supplement, and only 25 to 33 per cent of secondary earners.

Source: Daily Mail March 29, 2020 02:16 UTC