Drug and alcohol abusers claiming welfare because of their addictions will be denied payments under a resurrected government plan, unless they are undergoing treatment.
The federal government will attempt to disqualify drug and alcohol addicts from $814-a-fortnight payments when social services minister Dan Tehan reintroduces the measure, which was blocked in the Senate last year.
The proposed change to the disability support pension (DSP) – which is part of a greater plan to tackle addiction – would deem 450 people a year ineligible, The Australian reported.
But drug and alcohol addicted welfare recipients will still receive payments if they undergo rehabilitation instead of looking for work.
Drug and alcohol abusers claiming welfare because of their addictions will be denied payments under a resurrected government plan (file image)
The federal government will attempt to disqualify drug and alcohol addicts (stock image) from $814-a-fortnight payments
Mr Tehan said the government wants addicts to address their ‘problem’ if it’s a barrier to their employment.
He added: ‘It is fantastic that so many welfare recipients have taken up the opportunity to get treatment and address their drug or alcohol problem
‘As part of the Welfare Reform Bill, income support recipients won’t be able to use drug or alcohol use as an excuse for not meeting their mutual obligation requirements.’
A Parliamentary Budget Office report found the largest group of new DSP recipients are people with psychological conditions, which is often linked with substance misuse.
They were also found to be far younger than average recipients and could receive the pension for more than 20 years.
Previously unpublished data also shows 260 jobseekers have chosen to enter drug and alcohol rehabilitation or treatment instead of finding jobs.
Social services minister Dan Tehan (pictured) will reintroduce the measure, which was blocked in the Senate last year
Drug and alcohol addicted welfare recipients will still receive payments if they undergo rehabilitation instead of looking for work (stock image)
Australian Medical Association president Michael Gannon (pictured) said more people with mental health problems were seeking help because of a lifting stigma
The most ‘work ready’ unemployed – who are typically on the dole or youth allowance – are allowed to receive addiction treatment in lieu of looking for work as part of the regime introduced on January 1.
Meanwhile, those who are in Stream C – typically receiving the DSP – were already allowed to select this option and are doing so in large numbers.
There are more than 520 welfare recipients in the category receiving treatment, according to the publication.
Australian Medical Association president Michael Gannon said more people with mental health problems were seeking help because of a lifting stigma.
‘But I think we are seeing an increased burden in society more generally and a greater demand for services,’ he said.