Has the Government extended the Earthquake Support Subsidy and Earthquake Job Loss Cover?

On 28 March the Government extended the length of time that both the Earthquake Support Subsidy (to help earthquake-effected employers keep paying staff) and the Earthquake Job Loss Cover (to assist workers who have lost their jobs because of the earthquake) will be available. Previously both were going to end at the end of March, but they have been extended to 18 April 2011.

A fortnight after 18 April the payments for the Earthquake Suport Subsidy will reduce -from $500 to $375 p/w for full time staff ($300 to $225 for part-time). A further fortnight after that the subsidy will reduce again to $250 for full time and $150 for part-time employees.

After 18 April Earthquake Job Loss Cover will be replaced by an Individual Support Payment, for up to six weeks, which will be a top-up in addition to the unemployment benefit.