FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Can I claim on income protection insurance if I lose my job or am sick with COVID-19?
2. How do I access the MyGov website to apply for the Jobseeker payment or early access to superannuation?
3. What happens if I can’t pay my mortgage?
4. What is the Government's WhatsApp service and how do I access it?
5. What is the Government’s Australian Coronavirus app service and how do I access it?
Ask a question, please email info@ambleside.net.au
1. Can I claim on income protection insurance if I lose my job or am sick with COVID-19?
Income protection insurance does not provide cover if you lose your job due to the economic downturn resulting from COVID-19. If you find yourself in this situation you may be able to apply for the Jobseeker (formally Newstart) allowance. Check out our link here for more information.
If you are sick with COVID-19 and unable to work you may be able to claim on your income protection policy. You must however meet the policy’s definition of ‘disabled’ and be unable to work for the waiting period before being eligible for payment. You would have set the waiting period when you took out the policy and it can be as short as 14 days, but it is most likely between 30 and 90 days. Check your policy details.
Although we are still learning how long it takes to recover from COVID-19 it would generally not be as long as the average waiting period.
2. How do I access the MyGov website to apply for the Jobseeker payment or early access to superannuation?
First of all our website has more information about the Jobseeker payment here, and early access to superannuation payments here.
To apply for Centrelink services you need a Centrelink customer reference number (CRN) and access to the MyGov website. The MyGov account covers a range of government services including Centrelink and Medicare. Some people already have a CRN from previous dealings with Centrelink but for many this is their first time.
This FAQ covers how to apply for a CRN and access the Centrelink website. The process has been accelerated however there are numerous media reports of long queues outside Centrelink offices and the MyGov website crashing.
To set up a MyGov and Centrelink account you will need an email address and mobile phone to receive confirmation codes.
Step 1. Create a MyGov account. If you already have a MyGov account go to step 2.
To apply for an account, Google MyGov sign in and follow the link, or click here. You will need to enter your email address, mobile phone number and create some secret questions. This step doesn’t require and ID verification.
Step 2. Apply for a Centrelink customer reference number (CRN).
If you have received a payment from Centrelink at some point in your life, but you can’t find or don’t have a CRN. Call Centrelink on 132 850 (Mon-Fri 8am – 8pm, Sat – Sun 9am – 5pm) and they’ll ask you some questions to get your CRN. Note you will probably be on hold for a long time.
If you have never received a Centrelink payment. This will require you to set up a new account. This is usually done in person at a service centre, but importantly that has now changed. You can now ring up Centrelink and identify yourself over the phone. Call Centrelink on 132 850 (Mon-Fri 8am – 8pm, Sat – Sun 9am – 5pm).
Step 3. Log onto your MyGov account and link to your Centrelink account. Information on linking your accounts is here.
You can now access Centrelink online and you are ready to apply for the Jobseeker payment or early access to superannuation.
3. What happens if I can’t pay my mortgage?
The government is calling on banks to support customers that can’t pay their mortgage, and they have responded. To date the big four have announced they will allow customers to pause their repayments. The rules for each bank vary, but they generally include the ability to defer repayments for up to six months, however the interest is capitalized, or added to your overall loan. This means you are simply delaying making repayments and paying interest, not being let off.
Some banks require you to have been affected by the Coronavirus (eg lost your job), and some banks require proof of this. There are different rules for different banks. Check out this article from the ABC for more information.
Banks are encouraging application online wherever possible, but you can ring instead. Links to the financial hardship applications for the major banks are:
· ANZ. https://www.anz.com.au/about-us/sustainability/financial-hardship/hardship-enquiry/
· CBA. https://www.commbank.com.au/latest/support-for-home-loan-customers.html
· NAB. https://www.nab.com.au/common/forms/coronavirus-contact-form
· St George. https://eforms.stgeorge.com.au/olfmu/eforms/assist/#/welcome/applyNow
· Bankwest. https://www.bankwest.com.au/personal/home-buying/defer-home-loan-repayments
4. What is the Government’s WhatsApp service and how do I access it?
The Australian Government has launched a new messaging service on WhatsApp, which is designed to be a trusted place of advice and information to keep you updated about COVID-19.
What is WhatsApp
WhatsApp is a free mobile messaging app that lets you send messages from your I-Phone and Android smartphone over the internet rather than your mobile network. WhatsApp enables you to make calls, and send and receive messages, documents, photos, and videos, like how you would normally communicate with friends and relatives over text.
What is the Government’s WhatsApp service and what information does it provide?
Inside the Government’s WhatsApp messaging service, you will have access to the latest news and updates about COVID-19. This information includes:
Latest news, including recent restrictions on facilities which can’t be accessed to the general public
Latest number of COVID-19 cases
The common symptoms of COVID-19 to look out for
How to protect yourself and others
Support resources available to individuals, families and businesses.
How do I download the WhatsApp app onto my phone?
To download WhatsApp on an iPhone, simply open the App Store, type “WhatsApp“ into the search and it should appear. To download WhatApp on an Android, simply open the Google Play Store, type, “WhatsApp“ into the search and it should appear.
Once the app has installed, select, “Open.”
How do I add the government's WhatsApp number into my WhatsApp contacts?
Open WhatsApp.
Tap the “Chats” tab on the bottom of the screen.
Tap the box with the pencil icon, on the top right corner of the screen.
Tap “New Contact”. Doing this will open a new contact page.
Type in the government’s WhatsApp number which is +61 400 253 787.
Tap “Done” on the top right corner of the screen.
Send the WhatsApp account a message, for example “Hi, please send me updates.”
You will receive a message back (an example of a reply, can be seen below).
Follow the instructions to get the information you need.
5. What is the Government’s Australian Coronavirus app service and how do I access it?
The Australian government has also launched a free app service which again is designed to give you easy access to official information related to COVID-19. The government coronavirus app can be downloaded onto any smartphone or table device.
What information does the government’s coronavirus app service provide?
The government’s coronavirus app provides you access to information including:
Symptoms of COVID-19 to look out for
Advice on how to protect yourself, how to social distance, how to access medicine delivery service and how to access financial support and more
News and media releases
Current confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Australia
Numbers to contact seeking further information about COVID-19
How do I download the Government coronavirus app?
To download the Government coronavirus app on an iPhone, simply open the App Store, type “Government coronavirus app “into the search and it should appear. To download Government coronavirus app on an Android, simple open the Google Play Store, type, “Government coronavirus app “into the search and it should appear.
Once the app has installed, select, “Open.” An example of how the app looks like can be seen below:
If you would like to get access to new updates as they come, you can enable the app to give you notifications to your smartphone or table straight away. To get this functionality, you will need to:
Open the Government coronavirus app
Select “Settings” option, located at the bottom right corner.
Select “Push notifications” option
Select “Notifications”
Hit “Allow Notifications” option.