MORE than 16,000 people are now on social welfare payments in the Playford Council region as the COVID-19 pandemic sees thousands in the north join the unemployment line.

Documents tabled to the senate’s select committee on COVID-19 last week revealed the extent of Federal Government spending on the $550 a fortnight coronavirus supplement on each local government area during a period in June.

The papers showed more than 16,300 people in Playford were now on payments such as JobSeeker, Youth Allowance and the single parenting payment – around 17 per cent of the council’s population.

During the fortnight ending on June 26, Playford’s eligible recipients received more than $9 million in coronavirus supplement payments.

This amount excludes the base fortnightly payment rate received for each welfare program, such as the maximum $550 for JobSeeker – formerly Newstart – or the $790 single parenting payment.

Spence MP Nick Champion, whose electorate covers the entire council region, said the numbers were proof change was needed in the welfare sector.

“It’s an indication there are a number of people who have been on unemployment benefits for a long time,” he said.

“Realistically, those people needed an increase in their unemployment benefits.”

Only Salisbury and Onkaparinga councils received a higher amount of supplement payments, but Playford Council had a much higher percentage of recipients when compared to total populations.

In Gawler Council, around 2400 people are receiving eligible payments, which equates to nine per cent of the population.

During the same fortnight period, the Federal Government spent more than $1.4 million on the coronavirus supplement in the council region.