Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment
What is it?
The Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment is a lump sum payment payable to employees who are unable to earn an income because they are required to self-isolate, quarantine or care for someone for the required 14-day period.
What is the value of the pandemic leave disaster payment?
If eligible, the employee will receive $1,500 for each 14-day period the employee has been told to self-isolate.
What criteria must the employee meet to be eligible for the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment?
The key criteria you must meet are as follows:
A health official has told you to self-isolate or quarantine and this direction was given for any of the following reasons:
- you have coronavirus (COVID-19);
- you’ve been in close contact with a person who has COVID-19;
- you care for a child, 16 years or under, who has COVID-19; or
- you care for a child, 16 years or under, who’s been in close contact with a person who has COVID-19.
You may also be eligible if you're caring for someone who has COVID-19.
You must also meet all of the following:
- you’re at least 17 years old and live in Queensland;
- you’re an Australian resident or hold a visa that gives you the right to work in Australia;
- you're unable to go to work and earn an income;
- you have no appropriate leave entitlements, including pandemic sick leave, personal leave or leave to care for another person; and
- your period of quarantine is after 7 October 2020.
If the employee is in a couple, both can claim this payment and both members of the couple must complete separate claims.
When will the employee be ineligible for the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment?
You will not be eligible if, during your 14 day isolation period, you receive:
- any income, earnings or salary from paid work;
- any income support payments, ABSTUDY Living Allowance, Paid Parental Leave or Dad and Partner Pay;
- JobKeeper Payment; or
- have received a Queensland Hardship Payment (the predecessor to the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment).
Employees would be unlikely to be eligible for the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment where they are receiving an income through paid leave entitlements under the award including pandemic leave in the form of annual leave at half pay.