Welfare advocates welcome Centrelink rule change to help domestic violence victims

Officers will have to consider whether domestic violence is a factor when determining if welfare recipient is part of a couple

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Australian welfare rights advocates have welcomed changes aimed at preventing family violence victim-survivors from being punished under Centrelink rules.

Under social security rules, people must declare to Centrelink whether they are single or in a relationship. Those deemed to be in a “couple” receive a lower rate of income support than singles.

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