In June 2024, the South Australian government distributed a one-time, additional COLC payment of $243.90. The regular COLC payment occurs annually between August and December, delivered via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).
Australian COLC Payment Date
The Australian Cost of Living Concession (COLC) is a financial support program offered by the South Australian government to assist residents with low or fixed incomes. This concession helps alleviate the burden of general living expenses, including energy and medical bills.
In June 2024, the South Australian government issued a one-off COLC payment of $243.90. This initiative was intended to offer temporary assistance during the winter, a period when energy costs usually escalate due to higher heating demands.
The regular COLC payment is issued annually between August and December through Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to recipients who qualified for and received the payment in the previous financial year.
Australian COLC Payment Schedule
The COLC (Cost of Living Concession) payment schedule in South Australia has two parts:
- Additional Once-Off Payment (June 2024):
- This was a temporary measure to help with rising winter energy costs. It has already been distributed (by the end of June 2024) to those who received the
- Standard COLC Payment (August – December):
- This is the regular annual COLC payment.
- Payments are made via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) between August and December.
- You are automatically assessed for this payment if you received the COLC in the previous financial year (e.g., received a COLC payment in 2023-24, you’ll be assessed for the August 2024 payment). There’s no need to reapply if your circumstances haven’t changed.
- To be eligible for the upcoming standard COLC payment cycle starting in August 2024, applications need to be submitted by July 1st, 2024.
Australian COLC Payment Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Australian COLC (Cost of Living Concession) payment in South Australia, you must meet one of the following criteria:
Hold a Qualifying Concession Card:
- Pensioner Concession Card (PCC)
- Veteran Gold Card (issued for Totally and Permanently Incapacitated (TPI), Extreme Disablement Adjustment (EDA), or War Widow status, or with 80+ impairment points under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004)
- Low Income Health Care Card (LIHCC)
- Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC)
Receive an Eligible Centrelink Payment:
On July 1st of the relevant financial year, you must be receiving one of the following Centrelink payments:
- Newstart Allowance
- Sickness Allowance
- Youth Allowance
- Parenting Payment Partnered
Meet Low-Income Thresholds:
- You may still qualify if your household income is below the threshold set by the South Australian government, even without a qualifying concession card or Centrelink payment.
- This threshold is reviewed annually and is the same as the income limit for water and sewerage concessions.
Tenants vs. Homeowners:
- Previously, the standard COLC payment offered different amounts for homeowners and tenants. However, effective from July 1st, 2024, the standard COLC payment will be the same for all eligible recipients.
Living Situation:
- Tenants must meet additional criteria regarding their household income. If anyone else resides with you and their income exceeds the low-income threshold, you generally won’t be eligible unless they are:
- Receiving an allowance from Centrelink or the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA)
- Your spouse, domestic partner, or dependent
Australian COLC Payment Amount
The Australian COLC (Cost of Living Concession) payment amount depends on the specific payment you’re referring to:
Additional Once-Off Payment (June 2024):
- This one-time payment, intended to help with winter energy costs, was a fixed amount of $243.90. It has already been distributed (by the end of June 2024) to those who received the COLC in the 2023-24 financial year.
Standard COLC Payment:
- The standard COLC payment amount isn’t fixed and may change from year to year. There is no information available yet on the exact amount for the upcoming August-December 2024 payment cycle.
However, there are some changes to the standard COLC payment structure effective from July 1st, 2024:
- Previously, the standard COLC payment offered different amounts for homeowners, tenants, and Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders.
- From July 1st, 2024, the standard COLC payment will be the same for all eligible recipients, regardless of their housing situation. This new standard amount is $255.60.
How to apply for Australian COLC Payment
Apply by July 1st, 2024 to be considered for the standard COLC payment cycle starting in August 2024. The process to initiate an application for the Australian COLC (Cost of Living Concession) payment in South Australia is:
- Go to the South Australian Government’s ConcessionsSA webpage (https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/care-and-support/concessions).
- Click the button labeled “Apply for a Concession.” On the next page, select “Cost of Living Concession” from the list of available concessions.
- Complete the Online Eligibility Check: Answer the provided online questions to the best of your knowledge. These questions will determine your potential eligibility for the COLC payment.
- Once you’ve answered all the questions, submit the online eligibility check.
- The system will analyze your answers and display your potential eligibility for the COLC payment.
- Call the provided number to finalize your application with ConcessionsSA.
- Download, print, and complete the application form and supporting documents checklist. Mail them to the specified address.
What should I do if my Australian COLC Payment is delayed?
If you believe your COLC payment in South Australia is delayed, here are some steps you can take:
Contact ConcessionsSA:
- If you’ve confirmed your eligibility and your bank details are correct, there might be a genuine delay with your payment.
- Contact ConcessionsSA for further information and to inquire about your specific situation. You can reach them through the following methods:
- Phone: Call the Concessions Hotline at 1800 307 758.
- Online Enquiry: Submit an online enquiry form through the ConcessionsSA website.