Canberrans experiencing financial hardship through the pandemic who are not able to temporarily work under a COVID-19 direction or health guidance will be able to receive up to $1500 from the ACT Government. The payment will be made from a new $1.25 million Hardship fund. The new support measure comes off the back of the Commonwealth’s offer of the same “disaster payment” scheme available to Victorians if the Territory moves into a State of Emergency due to COVID-19, an offer Mr Barr said the ACT would accept as the ACT could not afford to implement a universal paid pandemic leave scheme on its own. “[A pandemic leave payment] does need to be national and it does need to cover a broad base. The second smallest government in Australia cannot provide a scheme on that quantum,” he said previously. The eligibility is that you have exhausted other sources of income – sick leave, any Commonwealth entitlements, savings. This is for ACT workers and the eligibility will extend to ensure people who need to isolate in the ACT are provided financial support,