OVERLOOKING locals affected financially by Melbourne's extended lockdown indicates a lack of understanding of its impact on regional Victorians, according to Helen Haines (MHR, Indi).

Dr Haines contacted the office of Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg last Friday to express her concerns about the criteria for the Federal Government's temporary COVID disaster payment, and the need for regional Victorians out of work due to the pandemic to be able to access the assistance.

She has since written to Mr Frydenberg, and is hoping to see change to the eligibility criteria, which currently requires applicants to be working at a business in a designated hotspot which has been in lockdown for more than seven days.

While regional Victoria's lockdown was for just seven days, the ongoing impact of Melbourne's lockdown has affected local businesses due to a lack of Melburnians visiting amid restrictions.

"Quite a lot of businesses are affected," Dr Haines said.

"The problem is by tying the support to a designated hotspot, it takes no consideration into the impact of where people flow and how it impacts other areas."

Dr Haines said she had been contacted by businesses from throughout her electorate - from the Wangaratta area through to Marysville - about the need for better support.

"I don't know if any other MPs apart from myself and Russell Broadbent (MHR, Monash) are raising this issue," she said.

"But for me as an independent, I'll always stick up for my patch."

Mr Broadbent, a Liberal MP, posted on Facebook on Thursday in relation to the COVID payment: "It’s not logical or fair for country people affected by the lockdown.

"Why punish people twice when they get caught up in a lockdown not of their own making and now excluded from help because the Federal Government says you are not in a hotspot."

Dr Haines said it was now a case of 'wait and see'.

"Let's see what the Treasurer's got to say, but really, people need support now," she said.

"I'll be back in Parliament next week, and will be able to see the Treasurer, so I'll take that opportunity."