4 Aug 2020

Poverty plunge looms when Covid subsidy ends: Salvation Army

From Nine To Noon, 9:08 am on 4 August 2020
Warm food for the poor and homeless.

Photo: 123rf.com

The Salvation Army is warning of a sudden plunge into poverty for nearly half a million people who are currently receiving the Covid wage subsidy. 437,000 people are receiving the extended wage subsidy of $490 per week, but that comes off on September 1, and anyone still needing income assistance would apply for the Jobseeker benefit, at around $250 per week.

The Salvation Army, which has just published its latest Social Impact Dashboard says this will mean a sudden and extreme drop into poverty for many. Lynn speaks with Ian Hutson the Salvation Army's Director of Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit.