As part of its stimulus package the government has introduced the coronavirus supplement, an extra $550 a fortnight payment for people on the jobseeker allowance, parenting payment (partnered and single), farm household allowance, special benefit recipients, Austudy, Abstudy and youth allowance (student).

Here those on youth allowance speak about the difference it will make:

‘I have never experienced financial security’

The announced increase will make an extreme difference to my welfare, wellbeing and my health. It will make such an extreme difference to me, but I’m furious the rate hasn’t been raised for 26 years. Whilst I welcome wholeheartedly the increase to the rate, I am devastated that it has taken a pandemic for the government to acknowledge that the rate is not sustainable.

The raise to the rate means that I can afford my rent, afford to eat and afford to pay my bills, but only for the next six months. It means I can live in the most basic meaning of the word itself. It does not help me with facing any of the other realities of being a full-time, unemployed student, or even a human being.

I am one of the “lucky” few who is receiving the full $560 a fortnight currently. Yet so many are receiving much less due to the punitive hoops they must jump through to qualify for the full amount. Even with the full amount, my payments only just increase to above the poverty line. Those of us who don’t qualify for the full amount will continue to live in poverty. The only difference is they have received an underwhelming increase, which comes with an expectation that they be “grateful”.

The raise does not eradicate the financial burden I hold being a working student, subject to mass casualisation, lay-offs and wage theft. The raise does not rid me of the financial burden of health care. I have to pay $50 a week in health expenses due to the underfunding of the public sector making the waiting list for my desperately needed hip replacement two years long.

I am 22 years old; I have never experienced financial security. I welcome the raise, but I reject the temporary nature of it, and I will not accept being forced back into extreme poverty after the six months is up and I am left to shoulder the recession whilst the government pats itself on the back for its “generosity”. – Freya, 22, Melbourne

‘I won’t have to decide between bills or food’

Receiving an extra $550 a fortnight will change my life entirely, going from living pay to pay and putting food as the lowest priority to being able to afford fresh fruit and vegetables. I’ll be able to not stress about affording medication and specialist appointments, or have to decide between paying bills or buying food. This will relieve stress and allow me to focus properly on my coursework. – Louise, 24, Adelaide

‘Many people I know could have suffered less’

Honestly, I feel outrage. I wish it was joy and happiness, but that is not the case. The supplement to welfare was 26 years too late. While it is welcome, a pandemic should not be the sole criteria for assisting people. Many people I know could have suffered so much less if the rate was raised beforehand. We will still have to live life after this crisis.

The supplement will give me time to focus on finding contracts abroad, mostly work-from-home. I work in the online games industry between studying, so work that does come by I can do without setting foot in an office. With the pressure off me for a while, I can gather my wits and a bit of scratch to survive. Entertainment and distractions are still needed during and after this trouble, so I don’t think gamers will be wanting for work.

The extra money will certainly help with bills and rent for the time being. I won’t have to worry about winter this time around, which is a nice bonus. I did have some simulation acting work lined up that was cancelled. If nothing else, I can now say I’ve failed a job application process by a freak accident of nature.

I have no doubt the federal government will cleave to making the rate permanent. The outcry if they knock it back down will bury anyone’s career. – Samara-Jade, 24, Melbourne

‘I can eat healthily enough for a pandemic’

Warmth and filling food are things I usually have to go without, at least most of the time, when receiving only the regular Newstart payment. Even with rent assistance, usually I’m eating two meals a day at best, and stacking clothes to warm up during the cold season. This changes completely with a raise to the payment. Albeit temporary, it has alleviated much of my concern about isolation. Now I can afford to stock up on food, or order a delivery if necessary. I can flick the heater on, and not worry about the cost. And each week I know the rent is paid. Horrifically expensive, as always, but paid.

And as the weeks go on, I’ll be able to save to buy myself a treat. The first new computer I’ll have bought since 2011 – a modest laptop to help with my study. And for fun. We are allowed fun! Even if it is once a decade and only possible because of a worldwide epidemic.

But mostly, I’m just happy to know that through this increase, I know where I’m living, I can pay for it for the time being, I can stay warm, and I can eat healthily enough to be healthy in this time of panic – things that would not be possible on the regular Jobseeker payment, and things I believe we take for granted. – Aidan, 25, Adelaide

‘I can afford to go to the doctor’

The coronavirus supplement, at $550 a fortnight, is more than I get from my regular youth allowance. About $360 more each month. I’ll be able to pay my rent and bills on time. I’ll be able to buy fresh fruit and vegetables. If I get sick, with coronavirus or anything else, I’ll be able to afford a doctor’s visit and medicine. I’ll be able to cook my girlfriend dinner, when this is all over. And for the first time, I’ll be able to save money while on a government payment – so that when this supplement stops, I’ll have a little bit of time before I’m back to living week to week. – Jess, 21 Melbourne