My partner and I are going through a rough time, and he has decided its best if we seperated and that he would stay with his brother for a few weeks whilst I stay in the house we are renting with our kids. (2 year old boy, 2 month old girl.) The only thing about this is that we aren't telling anyone we have split up because iI'm hoping to work things out and both families will be on our backs about getting back together (his family.) and moving back home and leaving him for good with absolutely no connections to him, (my family -_-)
however centrelink said im not entitled to any payments because im not classified as single? which I don't understand because i'll be paying my own rent, groceries, bills, fuel etc etc. the only thing he will pay for are the nappies, wipes and any clothing the kids will need? is this correct??
Centrelink. Single/Partnered Payments.
Centrelink. Single/Partnered Payments.
Posted in:
Relationships & Marriage, Money
7 Replies
You're not actually entitled to it because you're not single. You said it yourself. You're hoping you will work things out.
He will have to financially contribute as he normally does, otherwise he'd be paying maintenance.
Only other option is to actually become single and do it properly.
You are not single, you are only taking a short break. A couple of weeks apart does not entitle you to benefits
Going by your statement you'd be living together again by the time the payments kicked in anyway
You're not single, single is single and you're hoping to have this worked out in a couple of weeks. If you were parting ways for good it would be a different story. He will still have to contribute like you are actually together. Rent etc. it takes a few weeks for these payments to kick in anyway and you'll be back together by then.
I think to qualify for the single parenting payment, you would have to be receiving child support paid from your partner/ x partner. Also would need to provide details of seperation and new address details for each of you etc.
As others have said it takes ages to sort out the paperwork and for payments to start so he needs to keep paying rent, bills ect while he is staying at his brothers. If u do decide to separate permanently then have the paperwork ready and lodge it from that date. Sounds to me like he's wanting to reduce his contribution to you and the kids if he wants to move out and not continue paying rent etc. His family are his responsibility not the taxpayers until you decide what the final situation is going to be. Good luck
You can apply for parenting payment, but it takes quite a few weeks to process, you can also be legally separated living under the same roof and receive benefits. (with this option you must be essentially housemates, sharing expenses and you cant do things like cook, clear, do washing etc for him. You also need to get signed documents from friends or family stating you are in fact separated.
Be aware though that once you notify centrelink your separated, if you are getting any payments you have to put in application for child support otherwise family tax benefit stops.
Also be aware that from when you notify centrelink you have separated and are living under the same roof they will deem that "he" is entitled to half of the family tax benefit you would be receiving now and will create a debt for it. Its not automatic he gets the payment either, he has to apply for it.
Your best option is to call the Family Payments line (number on the centrelink website) and speak with someone about what you are entitled to claim because every circumstance is different and each is treated as a case by case basis.
Good luck with this.