FAMILIES and seniors will receive an increase to their income support payments and pensions from next week.

The increase is in addition to the boost to income support announced in the May Budget as part of the $14.6 billion cost of living package, coming in next Wednesday, as well as access to cheaper prescription medicines that commenced on September 1.

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.

• Parenting Payment Single recipients will receive a base payment rate of $942.40, reflecting a $20.30 increase.

• Those on a partnered rate of JobSeeker and Parenting Payment will receive a base payment rate of $686.00, reflecting a $54.80 increase.

• 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.

• 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 Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Payment will receive an additional $53 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. 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.

Member for Blair Shayne Neumann said the Government recognised Australians were continuing to grapple with cost-of-living pressures.

“Indexation is a vital mechanism to safeguard the purchasing power of social security payments, ensuring they keep pace with the cost of living,” he said.

“Higher inflation is being felt most within households on low fixed incomes and these payments will help ease the financial burden for many locals who are doing it tough or may need some extra support.”

Mr Neumann said there was a large veteran community in Blair and the Government was making sure they and their families were looked after following their service.

“Not only will the indexation of these payments help veteran families with the cost of living, some fortnightly education allowances will also increase, ensuring veteran families are better supported,” Mr Neumann said.