Issues

At Sole Parents' Union we have a lot of experience with Centrelink. Some good, some not so good, as our blogs show.

Income Support

Centrelink is the first stop for many single parents after they separate. As a single parent you may qualify for parenting payment if your youngest child is under 8 and you have no, or a low, income. If your youngest child is aged 8 or more you may qualify for unemployment benefits (the dole). Both payments have work requirements you must satisfy. You may need to:

• enter into an Employment Pathway Plan
• look for a part-time job of at least 30 hours a fortnight
• participate in employment services (such as Job Services Australia)
• undertake a period of work experience activity with your Employment Services Provider.

You may also be able to meet your participation requirements by undertaking full-time study.

Make sure you check with Centrelink about your entitlement to payments. Ask them to explain everything to you if you don't understand. Recent research has shown that many people are missing out on support because of the complexity of the system, and because of stigmatisation of welfare recipients. Don't let your kids go hungry because going to Centrelink makes you feel bad!

You can call the Family Assistance Office on 13 6150 for assistance, or find your nearest Centrelink office 

Family Tax Benefit

Family Tax Banefit comes in two parts - Part A and Part B .You can claim Family Tax Benefit as either:

• fortnightly payments - you will need to lodge an instalment claim, estimate your income, choose a payment option if appropriate, and later lodge a tax return; or
• an annual payment - you will need to lodge a lump sum claim snf lodge tax return. You must keep accurate records when claiming Family Tax Benefit as a lump sum. You should keep records on changes to shared care arrangements and changes to your personal circumstancess

FTB (A) is paid to primary carers to help them with the cost of children. Where you share care of your children (above 35%) the Family Tax Benefit may be split between the parents. 

FTB (B) is an extra payment for single parents and families with one main income to help with the costs of raising children. Part B is limited to families where the primary earner has an adjusted taxable income of $150,000 or less per financial year.

Centrelink Debt

If you underestimate your income, don't report income correctly, don't advise Centrelink of any changes in care of your children, or don't tel them when other circumstances change you may incur a Centrelink deb t.

If you are receiving your Family Tax Benefit fortnightly, and you are being overpaid, you may not be aware of the debt until the end of the year when you do your tax return.

If you do have a Centrelink debt you will need to make arrangements to repay it . If you are in receipt of a payment such as parenting payment or newstart Centrelink may reduce the amount you receive until the debt is repaid.

If you disagree with a Centrelink decision

If you disagree with a decision Centrelink has made about your case, you can ask for a review by an Authorised Review Officer (ARO). This should be done within 13 weeks of receiving advice of the decision.

If you still think the decision is incorrect, you may apply for a review of the decision by the Social Security Appeals Tribunal (SSAT).  Again, this should be done within 13 weeks of receiving the decision of the ARO. The SSAT can be contacted on line or via telephone 1800 011 140.

If you wish to appeal further you can go to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (phone 1300 366 700), or the Federal Court.

Complaints

If you are unhappy with the way you have been treated by Centrelink you can complete one of their Customer Comment Cards or telephone their Customer Relations Line on 1800 050 004.

If you are not satisfied with the way Centrelink treat your complaint you can refer the matter to the Commonwealth Ombudsman or phone 1300 362 072.