Parenting Payment is an income support payment designed specifically for people who have principal care of a child..

 

One of the things I learned from talking to other grandparent carers was that I can speak to the Social Workers at Centrelink - they were really helpful to me. Grandparent carer

Age pensioners receive a Pensioner Concession Card that covers both the cardholder and any dependent children.

AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT BENEFITS

The Australian Government recognises the special contribution that grandparents make to families and the community and provide a range of benefits to assist eligible claimants. The information provided is a guide only, due to its complexity. Any matters relating to assistance in respect of children entering or leaving care should be dealt with by appointment with the Family Assistance Office. Family Assistance Offices are located within Medicare and Centrelink offices and Australian Taxation Shopfronts.

Income Support Payments

PARENTING PAYMENT AND NEWSTART ALLOWANCE

I am the principal carer of my grandchild – which Income Support Payment/s might I be entitled to?

If you are unemployed or on a low income, and you are the principal carer of your grandchild, you might qualify for:

• Parenting Payment or
• Newstart Allowance.

Income support payments are income and asset tested. This means that in order to qualify the applicant will be assessed against their and/or their partner’s income and assets, and that these have to be below a certain limit to qualify for payment.

Parenting Payment

Parenting Payment (PP) is an income support payment designed specifically for people, either single or partnered, who have principal care of a child including grandparents and foster carers. PP can be paid in addition to FTB.

PP (Partnered) is only paid to one member of a couple. Only one person can receive PP in respect of a child (for example a natural/adoptive parent and a foster carer cannot receive PP for the same child).

Newstart Allowance

Newstart Allowance (NSA) is an income support payment for people aged over 21 years and below age pension age, who are unemployed. Recipients must be seeking full-time work, participate in activities designed to facilitate entry to employment, or meet the activity test by undertaking suitable part-time work.

How do I qualify for Parenting Payment?

In general terms, to qualify for PP, a claimant must:

• have principal care of a qualifying child;
• have income and assets below certain limits; and
• meet the residence requirements.

For the purposes of PP, a qualifying child is:

• for PP Single, a child under the age of eight; and
• for PP Partnered, a child under the age of six.

How do I qualify for Newstart Allowance as a principal carer?

In general terms, to qualify for NSA, a claimant must:

• be unemployed or part-time employed;
• satisfy the activity test;
• satisfy the terms of Preparing for Work Agreement (PFWA) they have entered into;
• be 21 years or over but under Age Pension age;
• be an Australian resident currently in Australia;
• not be subject to an Assurance of Support (AoS).

From 1 July 2006, people who are principal carers of at least one dependent child will receive NSA if they meet required eligibility criteria.

For the purposes of qualifying as a principal carer parent on NSA you must have principal care of a qualifying child:

• for single parents – a child eight years or over;
• for partnered parents – a child six years or over.

What, if any, participation requirements are applicable to principal carers who receive Parenting Payment or Newstart Allowance?

Principal carer parents who claim income support post 1 July 2006 will have part-time job search requirements of at least 15 hours per week if their child is six years or over, regardless of which payment they are receiving.

Depending on the carer’s individual circumstances, they may be eligible for a temporary exemption from job-search requirements (renewable) where caring for the child affects their ability to work, or search for work.

I am currently receiving Parenting Payment – how do the Welfare to Work changes affect me?
Principal carers who are on PP immediately prior to 1 July 2006 will be able to remain on this payment until their youngest child turns 16 (subject to them continuing to meet the payment’s eligibility requirements).

These people will be required to look for part-time work of at least 15 hours a week, as part of their participation requirements, from 1 July 2007 or when their youngest child turns seven (whichever is later).

How can I find out more about income support payments?

PP – 13 61 50 – www.centrelink.gov.au
NSA – 13 28 50 – www.centrelink.gov.au

The information above was provided by the Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.

AGE PENSION

Some grandparents who are raising grandchildren may be paid age pension. If you have previously claimed age pension, and your pension was not paid or was stopped because of your income, you may now be entitled to a payment because you have children in your care. Age pensioners receive a Pensioner Concession Card that covers both the cardholder and any dependent children.

You may get age pension if you:

• Are of age pension age;
• Meet residence requirements; and
• Have income and assets below a certain amount.

Age pension age for men is 65. For women it depends on your date of birth – women qualify for age pension at different ages depending on their birth date.

Date of birth	Qualification age
1 January 1943 to 30 June 1944	63
1 July 1944 to 31 December 1945	63½
1 January 1946 to 30 June 1947	64
1 July 1947 to 31 December 1948	64½
1 January 1949 and later	65

You can phone Centrelink on 13 23 00 or visit a Centrelink Customer Service Centre to tell them you wish to claim an age pension. Additional information on age pension can be found:

• In the Centrelink publication ‘About to retire or in retirement?’, available from Centrelink; and
• On the Centrelink website at: http://www.centrelink.gov.au

The information above was provided by the Australian Government Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.