The payment became available to people in certain areas of the city after the city‘s lockdown triggered Commonwealth disaster rules.

The local government areas where residents can apply for the payment right now are:

• City of Sydney
• Canada Bay
• Inner West
• Randwick
• Waverley
• Woollahra
• Bayside

On Sunday, residents of the following areas will also be invited to make a claim:

• The rest of greater Sydney
• Blue Mountains
• Central Coast
• Wollongong

The money can be sought by people who live in an eligible area and who have:

• Lost income on or after day eight of a lockdown
• Can‘t get paid leave from their employer
• Are not receiving other income support funds for the same period

People applying must be Australian residents or hold a valid work visa and be aged 17 or older. The payment is meant for people who would have otherwise earned an income but who can't work because of the lockdown.

People who have “liquid assets” – such as cash or savings – of more than $10,000 will not be eligible.

Couples can make two separate claims, one for each person.

The maximum sum of $500 is available for those who have lost 20 hours or more of work.

For those who have lost fewer work hours than that, the payment is $325.

The money is taxable and must be included in the next income tax return.

Claims should be made via myGov, or in the case of visa workers without an account, by calling 180 22 66 during weekday office hours.

The reason that some parts of Sydney will be eligible before others has to do with the federal government’s definition of a “hotspot”.

Federal chief medical officer Paul Kelly declared the initial seven local government areas hot spots on June 23.

Once a hotspot is declared, the payment becomes available eight days later. That means the payment was unlocked on Thursday.

On June 26, he followed up with a declaration giving the rest of Greater Sydney hotspot status as well, which will kick in July 4.