Expert Opinion Panel

Jason Bryce – Business & Finance Specialist

Howard and Gillard’s single parent pension cut to be restored?

By Jason Bryce

Next Tuesday the Treasurer Jim Chalmers will apparently largely reverse Julia Gillard’s axing of the Parenting Payment (Single) for single parents whose youngest child is 8 years of age or older.

Leaks and information coming out of Canberra indicate the parenting payment will be restored for single parents until their youngest child enters high school.

Single mums struggle on the Centrelink Jobseeker payment

Hundreds of thousands of mothers and children have lived in very difficult financial circumstances over the last 11 years. The Howard government first cut the Parenting Payment in 2006 but ‘grandfathered’ all recipients already on Parenting Payment.

The Gillard government ended the grandfathering, sending more than 80,000 parents onto the lower Newstart (now called Jobseeker) rate very suddenly.

Parenting Payment (Single) is currently $949.30 per fortnight including a supplement of $27.20. That’s more than $200 over the $745.20 per fortnight current rate for Jobseeker (Single with dependent children).

Raising the Parenting Payment age of the youngest child

The big question seems to be what will be the new maximum age for the youngest dependent child under the new Parenting Payment (Single) rate?

The minister for women Katy Gallagher is believed to be pushing for a cut-off at age 14. The government’s Expenditure Review Committee is arguing for 13.

The Albanese government apparently believes a child should be sufficiently independent by high school age for the parent to re-enter the workforce.

The government was being pressured to return the cut-off age to 16 years but that seems to be off the table. The Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce, the Greens Party, some independent MPs, and women’s advocates like Anne Summers all asked the government to return the age limit to 16 years.

“These are good people, calling for more spending in the budget,” said Jim Chalmers.

“We take these considerations and these proposals in good faith.

The government cut billions of dollars from already struggling single parents

The government is believed to have saved more than $5 billion over ten years cutting the Parenting Payment. Lifting the age back to 13 or 14 will cost $1.1 billion over the next three years.

The Treasurer Jim Chalmers said he’s trying to be responsible with government finances and assist the neediest.

“We are a Labor government, and we will always try and do what’s right by people.

“I need to make it all add up. I need to do that in a responsible way and that’s what we’re focused on.”

The Liberal Party Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor said the government should focus on getting people into the workforce.

“We have over 420,000 vacancies in the economy,” said Mr Taylor. “The most important priority is to help people into work.”

Unfair single parent welfare payments

I was cut off the pension by John Howard, not Julia Gillard.

Australia’s first female prime minister Julia Gillard is known around the world for her famous ‘misogyny speech’ delivered to parliament on 9^th October 2012. That speech has been voted most unforgettable moment on Australian TV.

These days you can buy Misogyny Speech earrings, tea towels, mugs and all sorts of merchandise.

That same afternoon (9^th October 2012) the government passed amendments pushing 80,000 single parents off the parenting payment and onto the lower Newstart payment, up to $110 a week less.

These two events are forever linked in history and muddy Julia Gillard’s legacy among many women and parents.

Terese Edwards, CEO of the National Council of Single Mothers and their Children was at Parliament House on the day of the famous speech but did not see it.

“I wanted to clap and cheer and be part of that empowerment, but I couldn’t,” said Terese Edwards.

Terese was with many other single mums, outside the parliament protesting the cut to the single parent payment.

Prime Minister John Howard took welfare away from struggling single mothers

What is often forgotten is the first part of the story. John Howard introduced the age 8 cut off for the parenting payment in 2006 but grandfathered all current recipients.

That created a strange situation where two single parents with children of the same age could be treated completely differently by Centrelink.

Two mums chatting at the school yard gate could learn one is getting a reasonable deal whilst one is struggling with looking for work and poverty level government payments.

My youngest (of three) children turned 8 years old in 2009. But I had only been receiving a part-payment since 2007. I was cut off on my child’s eighth birthday.

I remember helping a single mum friend in 2010 to move into her newly purchased home, which she could afford because she had been grandfathered.

I remember the school gate conversations and confusion with other single parents about payments work requirements.

John Howard’s actions in cutting the single parent payment left us with two classes of single parent. Julia Gillard fixed that – by putting everyone in the same miserable poverty-stricken boat.

Jason Bryce

Jason is an expert business, finance and consumer issues journalist specialising in personal finance, debt, consumer issues and banking, Jason is now based in Melbourne and works as a journalist . Previously Jason has worked for ABC TV, News Ltd and plenty of magazines and online publishers. You can keep up to date with the latest Centrelink news and information at Jason’s Facebook page, Centrelink News or his website www.jasonbryce.com.au.
Jason is a proud single dad of three children. Follow Jason on Twitter @JasonBryce.

The post Centrelink Single Parenting Payment changes – more money – child age increase expected appeared first on Singlemum.

Expert Opinion Panel

Jason Bryce – Business & Finance Specialist

The ultimate guide to Australian single mum Centrelink benefits & more

UPDATED: May 2023

Centrelink, State Government, Welfare Agencies, Charities, Banks and more…

Single mother guide to assistance

These agencies can assist you with money when you’re a single mum:

1. Centrelink

2. Child Support Agency

3. Crisis agencies / charities

4. Legal Services

5. Banks

What Centrelink benefits am I entitled to?

First rule of Centrelink is don’t go to Centrelink.

You have heard the stories about lines and wait times. Only go to Centrelink if something goes wrong. Very wrong. Or Centrelink asks you to attend.

Get online. Get the app, link Centrelink to your mygov account. If you really need assistance, sit down and call Centrelink and be prepared to wait.

What Centrelink benefits can single parents get?

The main pensions and benefits available for single mums are:

Parenting Payment

Jobseeker (Newstart)

Family Tax Benefits

Child-care benefits

ParentsNext

Crisis Payment

Parents who are eligible for one or more of these payments can also get rent assistance and  some other supplementary payments to top up their income.

How much is Parenting Payment for Single Parents?

The base rate of Parenting Payment Single is currently $862.10, per fortnight, including the pension supplement of $24.70.

You will also get the Energy Supplement of $12.00 per fortnight.

The maximum rate of rent assistance is now $142.80 per fortnight and that is payable when you pay at least $318 per fortnight in rent. You will get a part payment of rent assistance if your rent is over $127.60 per fortnight.

Payment rates are indexed up according to inflation every March and September.

How much is Jobseeker for single parents?

Single mums whose children are all over the age of 8 are not eligible for Parenting Payment but may qualify for JobSeeker. That comes with terms and conditions – like looking for a job and attending JobActive appointments.

The base rate of JobSeeker for single parents is now $676.80per fortnight.

Homeschooling & Foster Carers exemptions

You can get the higher $862.10 per fortnight rate if you are:

How much is Family Tax Benefits for single parents?

Family Tax Benefits come in two variations – Family Tax Benefits Part A and Part B.

Family Tax Benefit Part A

Eligibility for FTB Part A is based on your household income. The amount you get depends on the number and age of your children. Millions of Aussie families qualify for FTB Part A.

FTB Part B is just for one-income households, so many single parents qualify for this additional payment as well.

The maximum rate of Family Tax benefit Part A is now $191.24 for a child 0 to 12 years and $248.78 for a child 13 to 19 years. Children aged 16 – 19 must be studying for you collect FTB Part A.

The Family Tax Part A end-of-financial-year supplement for the 2021-22 financial year, is up to $788.40 for each eligible child, up from $781.10 last financial year. This is used to balance your payments against your income from work.

Family Tax Benefit Part B

Family Tax Benefit Part B is not paid per child, it is one payment for the family, based on your income. The maximum rate of FTB Part B is:

$158.34 per fortnight when your youngest child is under 6. When your youngest turns six, the max rate of FTB Part B falls to $110.60.

The FTB Part B supplement is up to $383.25 per family for the last financial year.

How much are child-care benefits for single parents?

Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate are no longer available. They have been replaced with a payment called the Child Care Subsidy.

Child Care Subsidy is based on your income, the hours you work and an hourly rate cap on child care costs. To work out how much you might be able to get to offset the costs involved in child care, you need to use the Centrelink Payment and Service Finder.

What is ParentsNext?

News Update! The Albanese government announced that ParentsNext will be abolished from 1 July 2024, and all compulsory participation requirements are now cancelled as of the 5th of May 2023.

ParentsNext is a controversial program for single parents with children under the age of 6. It is about training, helping you plan for the future and preparing for work when your children get to school age.

Single mums, of any age, who are selected for ParentsNext, needed to report fortnightly or risk losing their Parenting Payment or Newstart benefits. You may have had to attend interviews, meetings, complete programs and training to receive your benefits on time.

These requirements will no longer be compulsory, or threaten to stop your Centrelink payments.

Read our parents next hack sheet for tips.

What are the ParentsNext eligibility rules?

Centrelink may refer you to take part in ParentsNext if:

Plus one of the following also apply:

If you are invited to be a participant, Centrelink will send you a letter and make an appointment for you with a provider. It is no longer compulsory to attend.

Child Support Agency

The Child Support Agency exists to support single mothers (mostly) by mediating payments between ex-partners. Don’t be scared of it.

If you are not getting money from the other parent of your kids, get online or call CSA. You can also link CSA to your mygov account.

You can ask CSA to collect child support for you. CSA will then ask you for the details of where your ex works. CSA can contact their employer and take child support from their pay.

You can also register with CSA then choose private collection. That means you are telling CSA that your ex is paying you directly. If you partner fails to do so, you can easily report that to CSA.

Centrelink Crisis Payment

If you are eligible for one of Centrelink’s payments, you may also be eligible for a special crisis payment in the event of a major life upheaval. The crisis payment will be equal to one week’s pay of Newstart or Parenting Payment.

Crisis agencies and charities

Charities like the Salvation Army, Anglicare, Mission Australia and Foodbank can help single mums in need. Reach out to these services near you and don’t suffer in silence at home alone. Check out these resources, charities and assistance programs for mums (and others) in crisis.

Women’s Legal Services

Legal services.
You may be able to access free legal assistance. Commonwealth and state governments fund women’s legal services, family violence legal services and legal aid. You can find legal services near you here.

Banks domestic violence & single mum support

Before 2016, banks regularly effectively helped abusive husbands continue the abuse of mothers by withholding money, making closing joint accounts very difficult and being completely inflexible about joint debts.

Now things have changed and all banks are required to help you.

“Domestic violence is a serious community issue and banks have a role to assist customers who may be impacted financially,” said Diane Tate from the Australian Bankers Association in 2016.

“Customers affected by domestic violence can experience abuse of their finances,” said Diane, “It’s important that banks do everything possible to minimise the burden on these customers.

“To help with this, the ABA has developed new guidelines. For example, taking care to keep the customer’s contact details private from a joint-account holder, providing copies of documents free of charge, and referring customers to organisations that offer specialist domestic violence support.”

Escaping Domestic Violence

“Banks don’t need legal evidence of domestic violence, such as an Apprehended Violence Order, to be able to offer assistance to customers,” said Diane Tate.

So yes! Your bank can help you, when your relationship breaks down and later to help get you finances sorted and separated from your ex’s money and accounts.

And while the banks don’t advertise the fact heavily, at least some are handing out cold hard cash to mums escaping troubled home environments.

Commonwealth Bank domestic violence crisis payments

Commonwealth Bank won’t confirm officially but some single mothers are reporting they received $600 in crisis payments when they left their husband. Commonwealth Bank customers can check out the assistance they might be able to receive and have a look at Commbank’s checklist for divorce.

Westpac Bank domestic violence emergency cash

Westpac have put a lot of effort into compiling information and resources for separating parents, especially mums. Westpac can also provide emergency cash for victims of family violence escaping the home.

ANZ Bank separating parents advice

ANZ Bank have an information booklet full of contacts and advice for separating parents and some good recent advice on how to handle your superannuation after separation.

NAB single mum assistance

NAB is also ready to assist separating mums.

The information is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from a financial adviser. If you or someone you know is in financial stress, contact the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007.

Jason Bryce

Jason is an expert business, finance and consumer issues journalist specialising in personal finance, debt, consumer issues and banking, Jason is now based in Melbourne and works as a journalist . Previously Jason has worked for ABC TV, News Ltd and plenty of magazines and online publishers. You can keep up to date with the latest Centrelink news and information at Jason’s Facebook page, Centrelink News or his website www.jasonbryce.com.au.
Jason is a proud single dad of three children. Follow Jason on Twitter @JasonBryce.

Comment on this story below

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Do you have a single mum opinion, vent or story of your own?

If you’d liked to see your own single mum story or experience published anonymously here on the website, simply email it to us – short or long – using our contact page business form here and if approved, we can edit and publish it for you! (Successful submissions will not be paid)

Join our single mum support Facebook groups!

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The post The ultimate guide to Australian single parent support & Centrelink benefits 2023 appeared first on Singlemum.

Expert Opinion Panel

Jason Bryce – Business & Finance Specialist

Am I really single?

At what point does having a relationship affect your Centrelink benefits?

Plenty of couples split up and remain living under the same roof for financial or family reasons. And plenty of people in ‘friends with benefits’ relationships do not consider themselves a couple. Thousands of single mums have a boyfriend or girlfriend but consider themselves single for Centrelink purposes.

So are you really single according to the laws of the land?

Or are you, inadvertently, a ‘welfare cheat’ who will be forced to repay a big debt when the welfare officer checks up on you?

By Jason Bryce

So it might be time to ask yourself…

…am I really single?

Single parents no longer receive a letter or email to their mygov inbox regarding ‘third party verification’ requirements for Parenting Payment Single and Newstart.

However all single Centrelink payments, including Single Parenting Payment (Single parent pension), Jobseeker (Newstart), Family Tax Benefits and Carers Benefit can all be affected by relationship status and household income.

So it might be time to ask yourself – am I really single?

1 – Same sex relationships

Centrelink and other government agencies have recognised same sex relationships as defacto relationships since 1 July 2009. Centrelink say the recent change to the Marriage Act to recognise same sex marriages will not change the way they deal with couples.

“We are not taking any action to review same-sex relationships since the passage of the Marriage Amendment Bill,” a DHS spokesperson told News Limited last week.

However, when the marriage equality bill was passed on 8 December 2017, a Tasmanian mum duly informed Centrelink that she had married a woman overseas in 2016. Centrelink replied with a debt repayment notice for $6,600 in Family Tax Benefits she has claimed since then.

2 – De facto relationships

A departmental spokesperson told Singlemum.com.au that Centrelink’s test of a relationship has five factors to consider:

• Do the couple share finances?
• What is the nature of the household? (Live together?)
• What are the social aspects of the relationship? (Do things together?)
• Do the couple have a sexual relationship?
• Are the couple committed to each other?

A score of three out of five on this test means you are a couple according to Centrelink. Just because you are sleeping together does NOT mean you are couple. Social Security Law says:

“All five factors must be considered. The presence (or absence) of a sexual relationship is considered but does not, by itself, indicate a couple.

And the guidelines also say that the claimant/recipient’s opinion about whether they consider themselves to be in a couple “should be considered but is not sufficient to make a decision.”

3 – Two parents under the same roof

Centrelink recognises that single parents may share living arrangements and care arrangements with their ex-spouses. And if two separated parents are living in the same house, Centrelink applies the same five questions to determine if a relationship exists. Specifically Centrelink officers will ask questions like:

Do you share living spaces like the bedroom, the bathroom, the living room?

Is one parent now regarded more like a boarder or flat sharer?

Do you do your own shopping, cooking, cleaning, household maintenance and gardening?

Are your family and close friends aware of the relationship breakdown?

Do you visit people and go out socially together?

If you are genuinely separated and sharing the house and care of the children, Centrelink are understanding and no, the welfare officers will not visit you to check in your sock drawers. A Departmental spokeswoman told Singlemum.com.au that:

“All relationships are different, and for this reason, the specific circumstances of a claimant’s current relationship status are assessed to determine whether they receive the single or partnered rate of Parenting Payment.

“As part of this assessment, information is gathered about the claimant—both from them and from other sources.”

Can Centrelink call the school to check up on my relationship status?

Social Security Law says schools, child-care centres, sports organisations, etc. are not to be contacted by Centrelink as part of any investigation into a de facto relationship unless the fraud team are investigating and prosecution is likely or there is an appeal to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

Centrelink rules about relationships are both generous and understanding but equally unforgiving if you break them. Be alert but not alarmed because single mums can easily be caught out and branded a welfare cheat.

Jason Bryce
Business & Finance Journalist

Have your say on this story – what do you think? Make a comment below!

Comment on this story below

Australian single mums – your comments are valued here! Tell us your opinion by commenting your thoughts below!

Do you have a single mum opinion, vent or story of your own?

If you’d liked to see your own single mum story or experience published anonymously here on the website, simply email it to us – short or long – using our contact page business form here and if approved, we can edit and publish it for you! (Successful submissions will not be paid)

Join our single mum support Facebook groups!

If you want to join the general chat, ask questions or vent about being an Aussie single mum, join our Australian single mum support group or our Australian Centrelink mum support group, or our Australian Child Support mum support group.

You can join the Australian Single Mum Support Facebook Group here.

Jason Bryce – Jason is a business and finance journalist with 20 years experience.Keep up to date with the latest Centrelink news and information at Jason’s Facebook page here

The post When do I need to tell Centrelink I have a partner? appeared first on Singlemum.

Expert Opinion Panel

Jason Bryce – Business & Finance Specialist

• Parental Leave increased

• Home loan scheme doubled

• Everything single parents need to know about the new $250 cash payment:

• Who gets it?

• When do you get it?

• Can you get more than one $250 payment?

And more!

Scott Morrison is tipped to call an election within days and it will probably be held on Saturday 7^th or 14^th of May

You can tell an election is coming because last night’s budget contains one-off cash handouts, big changes to paid parental leave for single parents and extra benefits for families.

By Jason Bryce

War in Europe is pushing up the cost of living on ordinary Australian families, the treasurer Josh Frydenberg told parliament last night, so immediate cash relief is being handed out to millions of Australians.

“Tonight, the Morrison government announces a new temporary, targeted and responsible cost-of-living package to ease these pressures,” said Mr Frydeneberg

“Practical measures that will make a difference.”

The opposition leader Anthony Albanese said one-off payments are fine but there’s a need for permanent cost-of-living relief.

Albo told ABC Radio that Labor is likely to support all the cost-of-living measures in the budget.

“We’re unlikely to say, ‘No, don’t give people a one-off payment.”

“We’ll point out that it’s probably timed for the election,” said Labor’s leader Anthony Albanese.

So, enjoy some pre-election relief from the politicians as they get ready for the serious campaigning coming your way very soon.

Who will get the $250 payment to Centrelink recipients?

Single parents are likely to get a one-off $250 payment that was announced by the treasurer last night. This payment will flow to six million people getting Centrelink payments or holding a concession or seniors card. However, not everyone will get it.

The full list of eligible payment types is below. If you get one of these payments from Centrelink, you will get the $250 one-off cash bonus. If you get more than one of these payments, you will still just get the one $250 bonus. You can’t get two or more bonus $250 payments:

• Parenting Payment
• Disability Support Pension
• Carer Payment
• Carer Allowance (if not in receipt of a primary income support payment)
• Jobseeker Payment
• Youth Allowance
• Austudy and Abstudy Living Allowance
• Double Orphan Pension
• Age Pension
• Special Benefit
• Farm Household Allowance
• Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) holders
• Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders
• Eligible Veterans’ Affairs payment recipients and Veteran Gold card holders

When do we get the $250 one-off payment?

Centrelink will pay the one-off $250 cash bonus payment automatically in April 2022. The government has not given any specific date but is likely to be ont eh second half od the month.

You don’t need to apply for it. It will be paid to the account that usually receives your payments.

The $250 bonus payments will not be ‘taxable income’ and will not count as “income support.”

You don’t have to apply or do anything to get it if you’re eligible.

More paid parental leave for single mums

This is an important change for working single mums.

Right now, the main carer (usually mum) can get 18 weeks paid parental leave and the secondary carer can get two weeks.

Soon, that will change to a total of twenty weeks for both parents, to be split between them as they see fit.

And, for the first time, single parents can claim the whole twenty weeks for themselves. How much is paid parental leave? It’s $772.55 per week or $154.51 per day and you get it paid via your employer, who gets it from the government.

To get paid parental leave you have to have been in a job for not less than 10 of the previous 13 months prior to the birth (or adoption) of the child and have worked at least one day per week (330 hours over the 10-month period).

“Families, not government, are best placed to decide what works for them,” said Josh Frydenberg.

Pretty much every parent will be eligible for this as the income cap is rising to $350,000 per year (for the whole household).

Josh Frydenberg said this was to “provide working families with full flexibility and greater choice.”

How much will the petrol tax cut save me?

Fuel excise has been cut in half for the next six months only.

That means you’ll see a drop in petrol prices within the next two weeks that will save you about 22 cents per litre every time you fill up the car.

For an average family car with a petrol tank holding 60 litres that means a saving of about $13.20.

A tank of petrol that cost $120 at $2 per litre will now cost $106.80.

This measure came into effect at midnight last night and will take up to two weeks to flow through to the price you pay at the pump. The fuel tax relief ends on 28 September 2022, so expect prices to rise again in early October.

$420 tax-offset boost for low-middle income earners

Ten million working Aussies will see their existing tax offset of $1080 increased to $1500 when they do their tax return after 30 June this year. If you are one of the 4.8 million people earning between $48,000 and $90,000 you’ll get maximum tax refund of $1,500. The tax refund tapers down to $420 for those earning up to $126,000. So, if you are working it’s well worth getting your tax done as soon as possible.

Home deposit scheme for single parents expanded

The number of single parents who will become eligible for the Home Guarantee Scheme will double.

The scheme guarantees part of the loan, allowing home buyers to enter the market with a smaller deposit. For single parents as low as two per cent of the value of the property.

So, if you have an income that might support a mortgage and you have your eye on a nice home on the market for, say, $500,000, you might be able to buy it if you can save $10,000 (plus a bit extra for legals and fees).

The Indigenous Business Australia’s Indigenous Home Ownership Program (IHOP) will be extended by two years to 2024–25

This scheme offers concessional loans, so get in touch with Indigenous Business Australia to find out if you might be able to buy a home.

Jason Bryce

Jason is an expert business, finance and consumer issues journalist specialising in personal finance, debt, consumer issues and banking, Jason is now based in Melbourne and works as a journalist . Previously Jason has worked for ABC TV, News Ltd and plenty of magazines and online publishers. You can keep up to date with the latest Centrelink news and information at Jason’s Facebook page, Centrelink News or his website www.jasonbryce.com.au.
Jason is a proud single dad of three children. Follow Jason on Twitter @JasonBryce.

The post Single Parents Budget Guide 2022 – $250 payment recipients & more appeared first on Singlemum.

What are the rules for child custody, care and access during COVID stay-at-home lockdown orders? 
A state-by-state round up of the current rules surrounding shared parenting access during lockdown and state border closures

By Jason Bryce 

A Sydney man, aged just 20 years old, died this week from COVID-19, underlining how serious this disease can be. Last week a Sydney woman aged in her thirties, with no other underlying health conditions, was killed by COVID.

So as a general rule-of-thumb, the less travelling around the community we do, the better. But fathers want to see their kids and mums want to know what the rules are around lockdowns and child access. Of course, COVID-19 restrictions vary according to the state, but they are all similar.

State – by – state COVID-19 restrictions

Links to all Australian state and territory government coronavirus restrictions and stay-at-home order information pages are listed at the end of this article.

In short, NSW is still reporting over 200 new cases of the Delta variant of COVID-19 per day and Premier Gladys Berejiklian says numbers have likely not peaked yet. Sydney’s south-west is likely to remain under stay-at-home orders for another month. Other areas of Sydney and NSW are likely to enter lockdown as well.

Victorian restrictions have eased last week and again this week. Groups can now gather outdoors and there are no limits on community sport. Unnecessary visits to homes are not allowed but care arrangements are not included in that order.

Queensland’s south-east is also currently under lockdown orders requiring people to stay at home except for (a very few) essential reasons.

Western Australia has some restrictions on visiting aged care facilities and travel is generally not permitted to Aboriginal communities.

South Australia is under “Level Three: Medium Restrictions” right now. There are restrictions on the number of people that can visit a home (no more than ten people in total in a residence) and kids sport is restricted to activities that do not involve other clubs, schools or teams.

In the ACT, there are currently no limit on household visitors.

Northern Territory has reported one new case this week and is forging ahead with encouraging all residents to be vaccinated. The government is advising indigenous people to stay in their home community.

Tasmania has mask requirements in certain situations and travel restrictions on people coming from NSW and SE Queensland.

Should my kids see their father during lockdown? 

What are the child custody access rules in a lockdown period?

Firstly, if anyone in the family has flu-like symptoms they must get tested and isolate until their test result is known. If no-one is in isolation awaiting a test result or is a close contact of a COVID-19 case the rules DO ALLOW child access and care arrangements to continue, in all states.

If you have concerns about the safety of your kids, you need to contact your state child welfare agency. You can call triple zero 000 if you have immediate concerns about your safety and the safety of your kids, but Police are not able to make decisions on child access and custody matters.

You may also find our Domestic Violence help page useful.

In NSW, even in the lockdown local government areas of South-West Sydney, arranging access and care for kids and their parents and other siblings is a “reasonable excuse” to leave home.

The NSW Health Department advises that:

You may leave your home (or temporary accommodation) to facilitate access … and contact between

• parents and children or siblings or
• children under the age of 18 who do not live in the same household as

o    their parents or siblings or

o    one of their parents or siblings.

For South-east Queensland, the state government says:

“All shared parenting, child contact and sibling contact arrangements can occur (not just court determined).”

That rule applies from today (Wednesday 4 August) until further notice, at least until Sunday 8^th August.

In Victoria, the government still bans most household visiting but looking after children is an permitted reason to visit another household

The Victorian government says “Yes” to the question: “Can I drop my children at childcare or someone’s house to have looked after?”

Other states have fewer restrictions on movement and similar advice regarding child access and custody. So yes, your children’s father is permitted to pick them up for the weekend or you can drop them off at his place. That includes if you live in Fairfield or any of the other local government areas in NSW or in Brisbane and surrounds.

What about interstate travel for child custody access?

Interstate travel restrictions are changing regularly. The Family Court of Australia advises parents to check on the state websites. Travellers to WA and Tasmania are required to download and apply for travel permits through the G2G app.

Court Orders as proof of child custody access

If you have court orders in place, the court says take them with you as you pass through the state border:

“When crossing State or Territory borders you may be required to provide the appropriate court order, as evidence of essential movement … 

“Please ensure that you also carry current photo identification. Ideally, you should have a hardcopy of the appropriate court order, or at least, an electronic copy or photo of the orders.” 

Australian COVID-19 restriction information

NSW government coronavirus restrictions information here.

Queensland government coronavirus restrictions information here.

Victorian government coronavirus restrictions information here.

South Australian government coronavirus restrictions information here.

Western Australian government coronavirus restrictions information here.

Tasmanian government coronavirus restrictions information here.

Western Australian ACT government coronavirus restrictions information here.

Northern Territory government coronavirus restrictions information here.

Jason Bryce

If you enjoyed reading this article, please give us a Facebook “Like” or comment below, to keep them coming!

The post Should my kids still see their father in lockdown? appeared first on Singlemum.

This is a budget for women and single parents with plenty of new funding and cash for people in difficult circumstances. But once again the government neglects to raise Jobseeker or the Single Parent Payment to a live-able  rate

Get on top of everything single parents need to know about the big spending 2021 federal government budget in just five minutes.

By Jason Bryce
Finance Expert

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s 2021 budget has money for women’s health, cash for those escaping DV, women’s superannuation, childcare, domestic violence services, training, the Single Parent Family Home Guarantee and more.

Last year, critics said the government had ignored women and Scott Morrison’s ministers were forced to say things like: “women drive on roads” but this year Josh Frydenberg wants to let women know they haven’t been forgotten.

“In the budget there is a focus on economic security and obviously childcare has been a signature item and women’s safety and health as well.”

Perhaps for single mums the most important changes are for those escaping domestic violence.

This is your quick five-minute guide to Budget 2021:

Domestic Violence 

Lockdowns and the disastrous social and economic conditions created by the coronavirus pandemic brought domestic violence to many families in 2020.

The government says that two-thirds of women who have experienced violence at the hands of a current or former live-in partner reported the violence started or got worse during the pandemic.

Tell your story once 

Centrelink will only ask you to recount your story once to access support. Previously, women have been required to repeatedly retell their story to access various payments and benefits.

Cash for escaping DV 

From June 2023 (so two full years away), the Government will start a two-year trial providing emergency $1,500 cash payments for women leaving a violent relationship plus $3,500 worth of goods.

More funding:

There is almost $300 million in additional federal funding for services and accommodation for DV survivors.

DV services for Indigenous women will be boosted by $57 million in extra funding.

$12.6 million will go to building emergency accommodation for people leaving violent relationships.

Family Law services 

$416.2 million in new funding for the family law system will mean women may find it easier to get help with family court matters. Couples with less than $500,000 in total assets may be eligible for lawyers to help with the property settlement and divorce/separation.

Childcare 

Nearly half of all women looking for more work say their care responsibilities are the major barrier that stops them from starting a new job or taking on more work.

From 1 July 2022, childcare may get cheaper and easier to afford, for up to 400,000 families with more than one small child.

The government will spend $1.7 billion on increasing childcare subsidies for families with more than one child under five years old in childcare. The maximum subsidy will rise to 95 per cent for the second and subsequent children.

The $10,650 cap on the Child Care Subsidy will be removed as well, assisting 18,000 families who use a lot of childcare.

The government says 40,000 individuals will be able to pick up an extra day at work without paying more in childcare. For example, single parents earning about $65,500 with two children in four days of long day care will be able to work a fifth day, and still be $71 a week better off.

These changes do not start until July next year – 2022.

Tax

Ten million people earning less than $126,000 will continue to receive the Low and Middle Income Tax Offset which is up to $1080 when you lodge your tax, so around July.

If you earn up to $37,000 per year, you can look forward to tax relief of up to $510 at tax time.

People earning between $37,000 and $90,000 can expect between $510 and $1080. Between $090,000 and $126,000, taxpayers will get slightly less, depending on circumstances.

Health

Women experience a higher proportion of mental or behavioural conditions, such as anxiety, than men, says the government. So, the plan is, that women will particularly benefit from Josh Frydenberg handing $2.3 billion in extra funding to mental health services after the last few years of bushfire, drought, floods and the coronavirus pandemic.

Services in regional and disadvantaged areas and places most affected by youth unemployment and natural disasters will get more money to serve their communities.

For example, women expecting a child stand to benefit from $47.4 million in extra funding for the National Perinatal Mental Health Check Initiative, which helps expecting parents access mental health and other services.

There is also money for BreastScreen Australia and other breast cancer services.

Breast cancer is the number one killer of women aged 45 to 64 but is one of the most preventable and treatable cancers. Kisqali, a drug used to treat advanced breast cancer will be added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, lowering the cost from over $50,000 to $41.30 per prescription. Fulvestrant will also be added to the PBS for advanced breast cancer sufferers.

Cervical cancer screening, education and research will get more than $30 million in additional funding.

Superannuation 

Industry Super said this federal budget is increasing women’s savings by billions by maintaining the planned increases to super and scrapping the minimum $450 per month wage threshold for the payment of superannuation.

That means part-time and casual workers who earn less than $450 per month will now be paid superannuation. This change will benefit 300,000 people in total and twice as many women as men.

The plan to allow victims of family and domestic violence to access their superannuation balances early has been scrapped and that previously announced scheme will now not happen at all.

Buying a home 

First home buyers will be able to get more out of their super for a home deposit – up to $50,000 of additional voluntary concessional and non-concessional contributions, up from $30,000 previously.

These changes may not happen until 2023.

But from July 2021, single parents may be able to benefit from the Single Parent Family Home Guarantee. This lowers the minimum deposit required for  a mortgage loan (without Lender’s Mortgage Insurance) from 20 per cent to just 2 per cent for eligible single parents. Read more about the Single Parent Family Home Guarantee here.

Funding for mid-career, middle aged women

Women aged 30-45 will be able to access free career counselling more quickly. The Mid-career Checkpoint service is for women who have taken time off, out of the paid workforce, for caring responsibilities.

Previously the Checkpoint counselling service was open to women out of work for two years but will now be open to women who have been out of work for just six months.

Indigenous women entrepreneurs

$13.9 million over four years has been allocated for an Early Stage Social Enterprise Foundation to support social enterprises that improve the economic security of Indigenous Women.

Loans and grants will be made to around 30 social enterprises that support Indigenous women entrepreneurs.

Women in STEM 

The Government will spend $42 million over seven years to support about 230 women to pursue higher level qualifications (Masters, Doctorates etc) in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Rarely (if ever) does a budget feature so many announcements aimed squarely at women.

This is the last budget before voters go to the polls again to cast judgement on this government. No doubt Josh Frydenberg and Scott Morrison are hoping women will look favourably upon the government after a disastrous 2020 and 2021 for many women and mothers.

Jason Bryce

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The post The single mum 5 minute guide to Budget 2021 appeared first on Singlemum.

On Tuesday the 11^th of May, the treasurer Josh Frydenberg will announce a new program to help separated and divorced parents buy a home of their own – the Single Parent Family Home Guarantee.

Singlemum.com.au has all the details of this major federal budget initiative ahead of time and we’re sharing them here for you.

The post The new Single Parent Family Home Guarantee – everything single mums need to know appeared first on Singlemum.

By Jason Bryce

From 1 April 2020, the Morrison government is raising the base rate of JobSeeker by $50 but axing the Coronavirus Supplement of $150. That means a NET result of $100 less in your pocket.

What will JobSeeker pay from 1 April? 

For single parents on JobSeeker, the current full JobSeeker base rate is currently $762. From 1 April, the parenting base rate of JobSeeker will be $662 per fortnight.

What are the current Family Tax Benefit rates? 

Family Tax Benefit Part A is paid per child and the current maximum rates (until adjusted again in September 2021) are $189.56 per child per fortnight up to 12 years and $246.54 per child 13 to 15 years, or up to 19 years for students.

The maximum FTB Part A Supplement for 2021 is $781.10, paid at the end of financial year and used to balance your payments against income.

Many single parents also get Family Tax Benefit Part B, which is paid per family per fortnight. The maximum rate of FTB Part B is currently $161.14, when your youngest child is 0 to 5 years of age and $112.56 when your youngest child is 5 to 18 years old.

The maximum FTB Part B Supplement for 2021 will be $379.60 per family.

How much is rent assistance for single parents? 

Rent assistance for parents ranges up to $185.36 (maximum) for parents with three children. For a parent with one or two kids, the maximum rent assistance is $164.08.

Rent assistance is set at 75 cents per dollar of rent paid, up to these caps.

What are people saying about the JobSeeker changes? 

Firstly, the Prime Minister said the changes are fair.

“Welfare is a safety net, not a wage supplement,” said Scott Morrison, “We want to get the balance right between providing support for people and incentives to work.”

Labor’s spokesperson for Centrelink matters, Linda Burney, told ABC Radio yesterday (Thursday) that the opposition will approve the $50 per fortnight increase. So the change is expected to go through the House of Representatives.

Greens Senator, Senator Rachel Siewert moved a motion in the Senate for JobSeeker to be raised to the poverty line. The motion was successful and was supported by a majority of senators but is not in any way binding on the government.

Minister for Employment, Michaelia Cash announced changes to mutual obligation, including the controversial employer hotline for dobbing in job seekers who decline a job offer and said some job seekers are cheating the system.

“Most job seekers are doing the right thing and trying to find employment, however, a small minority are actively trying to game the system.”

Michelle O’Niell from the ACTU replied: “Imagine a circumstance where someone is treated badly at the interview, where they’re harassed, or perhaps sleazy propositions put to them at the point where they’re going for a job.

“Then you’re saying that employer can dob in that unemployed woman for the fact that she’s knocked back a job? This is dangerous territory to give power to employers to further punish people who are simply looking for work.”

Dr Cassandra Goldie from the Australian Council of Social Services said the $50 rise “is a heartless betrayal of millions of people, including hundreds of thousands of children, single parents, people with disability, older people, students and people with illness and injury.”

“It’s a cruel decision,” said Dr Goldie, “It comes as devastating news for so many and will have serious consequences for people’s lives.”

The Senate voted this week to refer the government’s JobSeeker legislation to an Inquiry.

What single mums are saying about JobSeeker changes: 

Single mum Careen is studying and posted in a single parent Facebook support group:

“I believe that Jobseekers is a payment to enable people to put a roof over their heads and provide food for their family. . . 

“[My tutor] the other day said that I should have printed my resources at uni despite me saying that I had no money. I had $0 on my printing card as I exhausted my budget but that apparently means that I can prep my own resources and I was severely scolded for it. Living on $40 per day, looking after my two sons and I now have the pressure of providing holistic resources for a classroom. I am prepared to be failed but I will still show up. I am sick of the stress of survival. On Tuesday, I have decided to go to my local federal member to tell them a story of survival and having to jump through these hoops just so we can become our independent selves.” 

Mum Marina Gardner, whose bio states she works at McCafe, described the changes as “an insult to everyone on Jobseeker.”

Disabled parent Skye commented on Facebook that the changes are “a start.”

Jodie Atkins from NSW’s central coast said on Facebook that: “The Government don’t care and don’t have a heart.” 

Vicki Jamieson said “charities were overwhelmed with demand from parents sending kids back to school.“ 

Tammy Raymond urged JobSeekers to “speak up” and posted that: “The ridiculous hidden costs that this lowly payment creates affects everyone.”  

Single mum Kellie Chandler posted:  “The current welfare system is a mess and needs a complete overhaul” and urged the government to put single mums back on parenting payment.

Single parents and other people on JobSeeker are being urged to ‘share your story’ with these stories to sent to senators:

“Can you share your story to help build pressure on members of Parliament to legislate an increase that is more than a measly $3.57 a day?”

Jason Bryce

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The post Centrelink’s NEW JobSeeker Newstart raise – what single mums need to know appeared first on Singlemum.

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By Jason Bryce

Single mums face extra burdens in many areas of childrearing. One of them is teaching kids about money. And this COVID-19 pandemic is giving mums plenty of extra things to think about. Some questions that you may not have found answers for yet are:

1. How can I teach good money habits when my ex-husband / mother-in-law / grandparent gives my child whatever they want?
2. Should I continue to give my kids cash pocket money (notes and coins) during and after COVID-19? Can kids understand budgeting and saving if they don’t get to feel money in their hands?
3. And how do I manage kids online if they have access to money online?

There’s plenty of research to show that single parents face extra challenges when it comes to educating their kids about money. Singel parents do it their own way and find their own answers to their families questions. Some choose to dealy the money education.

Ashley, a single mum interviewed for a study on children’s financial education (see below) is choosing to not give her 11-year old daughter Agatha any money or money education at all yet. Ashley said she provides everything and Agatha should focus on school and not concern herself with doing little jobs to earn money she doesn’t need. Ashley has had struggles with health and wants to teach Agatha the importance of a good diet.

Rhiannon said she is not sure how to discuss money with her three children. Rhiannon said she wanted them to focus on essentials like family and being healthy.

Britney makes a link between money and relationships. Britney is teaching her kids about valuing relationships and has noticed that “family dynamics are less stressed” after some key conversations about money with her daughter.

For single parents educating their kids about money, it starts with cash, coins and the occasional note in a moneybox or piggybanks and graduates to a bank account when your child goes to primary school.

The two big extra challenges for single parents are consistent messaging and undermining behaviour.

Consistent messaging in a single parent family

First of all, messages need to be consistent but single parents are dealing with ex-husbands, mothers-in-law and others who may not be sending the same message to your kids about money.

Parents who find it difficult to ensure consistency with other family members face real challenges according to a recent study on children’s financial education in the UK.

Here is a classic parents mistake cited by the university researchers that can really set back how children see and value savings and the value of money: (and every single mum will relate to this):

You give your child $5 to put in their moneybox to save up for an expensive new toy then another family member takes your child out and buys them an expensive new toy.

This confuses children say the researchers but pretty much all families deal with this one way or another. Generous well-meaning family members can be just as problematic as trouble-makers. Here are some strategies suggested by the research:

Catherine’s children’s father often made big (infrequent) purchases for their kids.

So … Catherine has been encouraging her children to do chores to teach them that money takes time to accumulate.

And … Catherine has explained why their father sometimes buys them big presents: his financial situation is different and the children understand this is something he can’t do it very often.

Some families used the differences in spending habits and patterns to teach lessons about how NOT to manage money said the researchers. But this needs to be done gently and let kids work it out themselves really.

For example, Carina spoke to her children about their uncle who likes to spend money but often asks Nana and Pop for a loan.

Undermining Behaviour

Unfortunately, children learn more from watching how their parents manage money than from what their parents tell them about money.

A long way behind both of those sources of information is school. The defining feature of a good financial education is a great parental role-model. The good news is that you don’t need to be rich to be a good financial role-model. A single mum on Parenting Payment Single knows more about budgeting and managing finances than many company CEOs.

But look at these case studies (cited in the financial education research) of single parents sending the wrong messages:

Melissa warned her daughters about debt and told them to not get into debt.

Melissa used catalogue loans to buy gifts for her daughters at Christmas even though she still had not fully repaid previous debts.

So  .. now Melissa is showing her daughters the trouble she has got into and how she is working her way out.

Single mum Ashley, with daughter Agatha, has been very cautious with her finances because she is starting a new business and waiting for it to pick up. But Ashley said at Christmas budgeting is impossible and she wanted to spend as much as necessary to buy others the gifts they would want.

So … now Ashley and Agatha are dealing with the issue of saving up for a mobile phone.

Bethany encourages her daughter (11 years old) to save but Bethany has no savings herself. She runs a business with her ex-partner and does not put money aside for superannuation or savings.

Bethany says: “I’m not a saver. There’s not enough to save”

So we have all been these situations. The researchers say the single parents who are doing it the best are sitting down their kids and explaining things as they go. They are also the parents who are in charge of their money, whether it comes from Centrelink, a job or a vast portfolio of investments….

Sandy pays all her expenses every month using a credit card. At the end of the month she sits down with her daughter to match receipts to statements to keep track of her spending and check she hasn’t been wrongly charged for anything.

Sandy first got a credit card when she was travelling and still uses it for benefits like insurance. Sandy hasn’t yet explained all the reasons why she uses a credit card but they share the budgeting and receipt matching every month.

Sandy isn’t perfect and she’s doing what we all do – making things happen with a limited budget. All the way along she is taking her daughter with her so the researchers are giving a Sandy a big thumbs up.

Should I continue to give my kids cash pocket money during COVID-19?

First of all, some reassurance. There is a lot of fake news going around that the WHO has told people to stop using coins and notes.

The World Health Organisation has NOT warned consumers against using cash during the COVID-19 pandemic. The World Health Organisation has made public statements to counter the false claims.

“We did NOT say that cash was transmitting coronavirus,” said WHO spokeswoman Fadela Chaib.

“We said you should wash your hands after handling money, especially if handling or eating food.”

“Doing so is good hygiene practice.”

Here is another fact check on this issue by a reputable British organisation. The Reserve Bank of Australia has looked at the issue as well and decided that Australian notes are a minimal risk of virus transmission.

ASIC’s Moneysmart Service says cash is important to helping kids gain an understanding that money is real.

“With credit cards, tap-and-go, online banking and shopping, kids do not often see actual money changing hands,” says Moneysmart.

“Handing over money for something can give them a sense of what things actually cost.”

So if we keep our hands clean, handling cash is important to children as they learn to understand money.

“Invisible money makes it easier for them to think money is unlimited, rather than something that has to be earned.”

ASIC recommends a piggy bank for younger children that keeps coins and notes. When you think they are ready, a kids bank account is a good way to introduce concepts like saving, interest and banking.

There are plenty of new solutions to helping us educate our kids about money. 91 per cent of 14-17 year olds own a mobile phone so they are going to have bank apps, savings apps and criminals looking for their passwords.

Are there any apps for kids’ pocket money in Australia?

Yes there are apps for pocket money so you can manage your kids spending and saving and help them learn. ZAAP is a kid’s saving app that you can connect to a debit Mastercard or a wearable device to make payments in-store.

Most of the banks have kids savings accounts and right now the Bank of Queensland is among the best paying children’s accounts in the market.

Some other banking and micro-investing apps aimed at young people include Pocket Money, RAIZ and Spaceship. Some of these apps help educate young people and put their money into shares.

Commonwealth Bank have one as well, called CommSec Pocket.

How to manage kids and money online?

If you suddenly see a $200 charge for “in-app purchases” you can join my club of bad parents leaving their kids alone with a screen for too long.

These days my “in-app” and online purchases are protected by my fingerprint so that has been educational for everyone.

You can set up payment limits and prevent your kids buying online but this is a challenge for every parent.

Moneysmart recommends what my Nana recommended – recognise the difference between your needs and your wants. They have a great kids activity on this.

Also – make a budget, get the kids involved in choosing things for their own party, so they can compare needs, wants and budgets.

As your kids get older parents need to talk to kid about the cost of things they understand, like a pet, or consumer questions about buying, selling donating, investing, saving. Later they will want to know about the costs of bikes, homes, cars and things they can see.

In their teens, they will ask questions about moving homes, tax, super and payslips.

Spending time, explaining, budgeting, modelling good behaviour are the keys to teaching kids good habits around money.

Yes, kids need to handle cash to understand more easily about money and how much it is worth. Moving with them through the myriad of options for online banking and commerce is a parent’s joy and nightmare.

Jason Bryce

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