There are no extra payments for Centrelink customers. If you're not sure if Centrelink information you've seen online is real, search our genuine websites. See the link in the comments for more info 👇 The Guringai Festival had a story about a $750 one off payment for pensioners in December, 2025.
These so-called 'news reports' may pop up when you Google Centrelink, or in emails, on social media, or you may receive a phone call. We can confirm there are NO one-off payments due to be made by Centrelink.
The government has confirmed that no further Cost of Living Payments are planned for 2025. This means there will not be a new payment (such as the rumoured £450 payment) this year. Future financial support will depend on government decisions and the wider economy, including inflation and energy prices.
Eligibility for the $780 payment primarily depends on the recipient's participation in specific government support programs. The main groups eligible include: Age Pensioners and Disability Support Pension recipients. Carers receiving Carer Payment or Carer Allowance.
Centrelink payments to rise
The maximum basic rates of Youth Allowance and Austudy for singles over 18 who live away from home will increase by $13.90 per fortnight to $677.20.
Set to roll out from late December 2025, this cash payment is part of a national cost-of-living relief package aimed at supporting pensioners, carers, jobseekers, and low-income households facing ongoing financial strain.
The government has announced changes to Age Pension payments from 20 September 2025, including a lift on the previously frozen deeming rates by 0.5% and an increase to the Age Pension of up to $29.70 for singles and $22.40 each for couples.
The Centrelink $1144 payment refers to a significant cost-of-living boost available to eligible Australians receiving key income support payments such as JobSeeker, Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, and others.
Yes, Social Security is giving extra money through the 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), which is a 2.8% increase for most beneficiaries starting in January 2026, raising the average retirement check by about $56 monthly due to higher inflation. This annual adjustment helps benefits keep pace with rising living costs, though some people might receive notices later in December.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced that beneficiaries will receive a 2.8 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2026. This increase will affect nearly 71 million Americans who receive Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.
Centrelink payments have been indexed by 2.4% to keep pace with inflation. This adjustment affects various payments, including the Age Pension. The income and asset thresholds for Centrelink payments have also been increased.
Universal Credit standard allowances will receive an additional uplift of 2.3% as specified in the Universal Credit Act 2025. The basic and new State Pensions will be uprated by 4.8% from April 2026, in line with the annual increase in the Average Weekly Earnings (AWE) index for May–July 2025.
Getting the State Pension qualifies you for the Christmas Bonus. Pensioners can still receive the £10 payment if they also get another qualifying benefit such as Pension Credit, Attendance Allowance, or a disability benefit. If you receive more than one qualifying benefit, you still only receive one bonus.
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced a special $680 one-time payment for 2025, designed to support low-income individuals and families dealing with rising living expenses. This initiative is part of the government's program to reduce financial stress, offering direct cash support to qualified taxpayers.
The Federal Government has approved a single $1,100 cost-of-living payment for eligible Centrelink recipients. The goal: provide immediate financial assistance amid rising living costs driven by inflation, high utilities, rent increases, and everyday expenses.
Likely Eligible Groups:
Age Pension recipients. Disability Support Pension (DSP) recipients. Carer Payment beneficiaries. Part pensioners (depending on income and asset thresholds)
The dollar amount increase to checks will vary depending on a person's benefit amount, but the average Social Security Retirement benefit, $2,008.31 in July 2025, will grow by about $56.
The Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary, has announced the details for the Christmas Bonus, which will be paid to approximately 1.5 million people this week including pensioners, carers and people with disabilities.
How much do I need in my pension pot for £1,000 per month income? Using the same methodology, £1,000 per month is £12,000 of income each year. If you were again withdrawing from your pension pot at 4% each year, you would need a total pension pot of £300,000 to provide an income of £1,000 per month in retirement.
From 20 September 2025, the full pension is available, under the assets test, for homeowner singles whose assessable assets are under $321,500 – for homeowner couples the number is $481,500. The numbers for non-homeowners are $579,500 and $739,500 respectively.