Anthony Albanese confirmed the long-awaited extension to the Single Parenting Payment as part of the 2023-24 Federal Budget, bringing in the change of Parenting Payment (Single) being paid to single parents when their youngest child turns 14, instead of 8.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, “This change to single parent payments is about making things fairer for parents who are already doing it tough.”

The Federal government is responding to continual calls for change from single mum advocate groups to relieve the financial pressure on single mum families around Australia.

Finally a government is taking  steps towards restoring the previously removed single mother pension from women – at least in the most-part – to help support single Mums and their children.

Anthony Albanese was raised by a single mum

Anthony Albanese was raised by a single mother and experienced first-hand how much pressure sole parent families can be under. He has supported the change to help relieve the financial pressure single parent families are under so that mothers aren’t forced to return to work early, when their children are too young to adequately care for themselves.

Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth stated, “No parent should have to choose between meeting their children’s needs and their family’s safety or economic security.”

Here are the facts:

What is the change to the Centrelink Single Parent Payment?

This Budget will see the extension of the Parenting Payment (Single), so that eligible carers can access more financial support until their youngest dependent child turns 14.

When will the Single Parent Payment be extended?

The Single Parent Payment will change from the 20th of September 2023 (subject to legislation procedure). Single parents will be able to stay on the Single Parenting Payment until their youngest child turns 14, instead of being moved to the lower paid JobSeeker benefit when their youngest child turns 8.

What if I am already on JobSeeker?

If you are already receiving the JobSeeker Payment and your youngest child is aged under 14 you will automatically be transferred to Parenting Payment Single.

What is the difference between the Single Parenting Payment and Jobseeker?

The current base rate of Centrelink’s Parenting Payment (Single) is $922.10 per fortnight.

Jobseeker’s maximum basic rate payment for eligible parents and carers is currently $745.20.

How much more money will I get?

PPS is $176.90 per fortnight higher than the lower-paid Jobseeker.

Who benefits from the raise in Parenting Payment Single?

The vast majority of Australian parents affected by this change are single mothers. They represent more than 90 per cent of carers who will benefit. That’s 57,000 single principal carers – 52,000 of which are women.

Will there be mutual obligation requirements?

Unfortunately mutual obligation requirements will still remain in place for recipients of Parenting Payment (Single). More details to come on how this will work.

By Single Mum Australia Staff

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

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For many Australian single mums who are participants of ParentsNext, the Centrelink scheme is a constant threat to their financial stability. One missed appointment or attendance could result in the immediate suspension of their Centrelink payments.

For others, ParentsNext has helpful back to work training, child care subsidies and other support benefits.

Whichever way you see it, the Government has just announced that they are abolishing the ParentsNext program and suspending all compulsory mutual obligations.

We’ve put together a list of answers to some of the big single mum questions regarding the axing of ParentsNext.

• When does Parents Next end?
• When do ParentsNext compulsory obligations end?
• Do Jobseeker compulsory obligations end too?
• I’m on ParentsNext – what do I need to do?
• What do single mums need to tell Centrelink?
• Are there changes to Community Development Programs?
• What is ParentsNext?
• Can I volunteer to join ParentsNext?
• Will there be a new ParentsNext program?

When does Parents Next end?

The Albanese government has announced that ParentsNext will be cancelled entirely from 1 July 2024.

When do ParentsNext compulsory requirements end?

From the 5 of May 2023, all Parents Next compulsory requirements are paused. You will no longer lose your Centrelink benefits for not attending interviews or taking part in any Parent Next activities.

All ParentsNext compulsory participation has ceased and has been officially paused.

You can read our complete guide to Australian single mother Centrelink benefits and payments here.

Do Jobseeker compulsory requirements end too?

No. All other Centrelink compulsory requirements other than ParentsNext continue as normal.

I’m on ParentsNext – what do I need to do?

You may still be invited to join ParentsNext if appropriate.

You can commence or continue to be in the program if you choose to and take part in any current activities and receiving current supports.

Parents participating in ParentsNext will still receive help to plan and prepare for employment, including financial assistance to undertake education or training. The Albanese Government encourages single mums to continue to access ParentNext supports on a voluntary basis.

However any of your compulsory participation requirements have now been “paused”.

Any of the activities or tasks you were placed in as a Parents Next customer are now no longer required if you don’t wish to take part. This includes attending compulsory provider appointments.

You will no longer be required to attend any activities that were set by your provider or agree to any previously compulsory Participation Plan.

You are no longer being threatened with your Centrelink payments being cancelled or stopped because you didn’t satisfy your ParentsNext requirements.

What single mums still need to tell Centrelink

Do I need to Report to Centrelink?

Yes. You still need to report any income or earnings you receive to Centrelink.

Do I need to tell Centrelink if I have a partner?

Yes. If you haven’t already done so, all Centrelink Single Parent Payment recipients are required to disclose if they are no longer single as it may affect your payments.

You need to let Centrelink know if your circumstances change, such as if you enter into a new romantic relationship, have a new partner or move in with a boyfriend.

If you are receiving Single Parenting Payment (or Jobseeker, or other Centrelink benefits) the amount you receive may be affected by your new relationship.

You can read about what kind of relationships may affect your Centrelink payment here.

Are there changes to Community Development Programs?

The government has also announced that many of Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia’s Community Development Programs mutual obligation or participation requirements have also been paused.

Check if your CDP program has been affected on the Centrelink website here.

What is ParentsNext?

ParentsNext was a compulsory program introduced by the Coalition government in 2018. It was officially described as “helping” parents of children aged under six prepare for future work and employment. It aimed at creating a pathway for single mothers to get off welfare and back into the workforce via study or work goals.

Whist this sounds like a supportive program, participation for many was not a choice, with “customers” of the scheme actually being termed as “compulsory participants”.

What the ParentsNext scheme actually did was threaten, and indeed in many cases remove the Centrelink benefits of single mums who didn’t comply with the program. If they missed an appointment, activity or training their payments could be suspended indefinitely.

ParentsNext threatened disadvantaged Australian single mums with removing their Centrelink payments

ParentsNext was seen by many Aussie low-income mums as yet another government hoop to jump through, which actually added further to the stress of being newly divorced, separated or single woman with dependent children.

Single mothers who were already struggling, searching to find a new place to live after leaving an (often abusive) relationship, trying to survive with the majority care of their children whilst on low welfare payments and all the other added stresses of bringing up young children alone had even more onerous responsibilities heaped upon them by the ParentsNext scheme. If mothers didn’t meet their compulsory requirements, they faced imminent homelessness, starvation and poverty.

Can I volunteer to be in ParentsNext?

Yes. You can volunteer to be in ParentNext if you have a child under six years of age, are receiving Centrelink Parenting Payment and you don’t live in a Community Development Program or live in Norfolk Island. Contact Centrelink for more information.

Will there be a new ParentsNext program?

The government has indicated that yes, there will be a replacement work support program, but it will be a voluntary scheme that doesn’t threaten to take away Centrelink payments if you participate. We can only wait and see what that looks like after the approaching Budget announcements – watch this space!

By Single Mum Australia Staff

Comment on this story below

Are you on ParentNext? 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 SingleMum website, simply email it to us – short or long – using our contact page business form here. If approved, we can edit and publish it for you! (Successful submissions will not be paid)

Join our single mum support groups!

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

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

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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

Did this story interest you? 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.

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.

• who is a home or distance educator of child/ren in their care.

The current rate stated is $880.20 as at August 2022.

Use this information in your call or visit to Centrelink- many Centrelink staff members are unaware it exists.

Share

The post The Homeschooling Single Parent Centrelink Benefits Guide 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.

The ParentsNext program raised so many concerns that it prompted a recent public hearing with a Human Rights Committee at Parliament House in Canberra.

With Parents Next proving difficult for single mums to navigate, Terese Edwards of the NCSMC gives her expert tips to help negotiate this challenging program.

Hacks and tips for single parents on Parents Next

1. Commence with the minimum activity within a program which is One. If personal circumstances are such that there is capacity to increase that activity, do this outside of the Job Plan which reduces the prospect of a suspension.
2. There is now a two-day warning, before suspension, and as suspension can be a product of the Provider not completing their data correctly, try and avoid an activity on a Friday as it is stressful entering a weekend with a suspension of payment.
3. Be clear about the compulsory attendance and the rules which are on the ParentsNext website.  Women are incorrectly referred.  Babies must be at least 9 months old.
4. Exiting ParentsNext can be undertaken by either Services Australia or the Parents Next Provider.
5. If women are in the post code area and want to voluntary participate, this is available from 1st of July 2021. They will be able to access the Participation Fund and workplace subsidies for the employer.
6. All compulsory participants to ask for assistance through the Participation Fund, the fund is underutilised and accessed. Ask about workplace subsidies.
7. Ensure that the Providers talk about the available exemptions, and if you want to exit, they can do this at the first interview. It would be your choice if you wanted to stay as a voluntary participant.
8. It is your Job Plan, and the activity must be agreed to by you.
9. Check to see if there are phone and/or an SMS texting capacity, which is important if you or your child is unwell, or if there are other life circumstances affecting you being able to attend an activity.

Terese Edwards
CEO, National Council for Single Mothers and their Children

Comment your thoughts or concerns on ParentsNext below

For this and other discussions you can join the Australian Single Mum Support Facebook Group here.

The post ParentsNext – important hacks for sole parents appeared first on Singlemum.

The selling point of ParentsNext is that it is a “light touch”, a pre-employment program. However, the 2021 version which commenced in 10 locations and then rolled out to 30 in 2018, has lost its carrot and the stick has grown.

Such is the concern for the ParentsNext program, that that it was granted a hearing at a Parliamentary Joint Human Rights Committee on Friday the 25th of June.

It is too early to tell if this will result in change, however the vast majority of various representatives all spoke strongly against the program, and sought that it either be scrapped or to be made voluntary

Terese Edwards, CEO of the National Council for Single Mothers and their Children (NCSMC), told the Committee Members that ParentsNext is underpinned by compliance, compulsion, suspension and duress, and the window dressing does not alter that fact.

Every small increment gain for participants was greeted with resistance, and it was a product of consistent lobbying.

An evaluation (2016) was undertaken by the department and before it had the target compulsory framework (TCF). Those who are up close and personal know that this framework is that if you don’t adhere to the rules – often complex confusing  – and managed differently by different providers – your critical parenting payment will be suspended and/or cancelled.

Terese Edwards described the evaluations, and the two reviews as self-serving and selective in nature.

Real life matters such as domestic violence, homelessness, hardship,  and the significant role of sole parenting is subordinate to the Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) within the program.

Edwards further told the Committee that when women escape the ParentsNext program it’s a relief and that when mutual obligations were put on hold, forced by the pandemic, it gave the parents a much-required break.

Emphatically, it is not fit-for-purpose, it is not respected by participants, and critically for the Committee, it falls well short of our human rights obligations.

The Committee further heard that there was confusion around the exemption process and the participation fund, which Edwards conceded was the only reason why she is calling for the program to be voluntary rather than scrapped. The Parents Next Participation Fund is not well known by participants and is underutilised by providers.

Representatives from the Government appeared before the Committee and spoke in earnest about its value.  However, they did concede that 55,000 participants had been suspended from their payment, and that suspension typically lasted three days. Payments remain suspended until participants have engagement or have followed the directions of the providers.  Continued sanctions can be cancelled parenting payments for one week, then two weeks and then cancelled permanently.

Department representatives spoke in favour of retaining compulsory requirements, and confirmed that providers receive $626.40 per participants every six-months. This was in direct contrast to Edwards who told the Committee that if the service is valued, if it comes from a place of strength and one with respect and support, that women would voluntarily seek it out when it works within their family circumstances – especially if there was access to a participation fund.

Money is the key to unlocking options to study, to get mandatory workplace certificates and to get job-ready as an income support system is so low.

Single Mum Staff

You can read our ParentsNext hacks and tips for single mothers article here

Comment your thoughts or concerns on ParentsNext below

For this and other discussions you can join the Australian Single Mum Support Facebook Group here.

The post ParentsNext Human Rights Committee Public Hearing at Parliament House, Canberra 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.