Hypothetical Question...

[C~Q]

If I (single mum with three kids) were to move in with someone who was on a disability pension does anyone know how it would effect my/his/our payments?

It's not something we're really planning...just talking about the future and possiblitities...

Also is a carers allowance something you get instead of FTB and PP?

TIA, i've been trying to find specific info but it's hard to find...

[C~Q]

[Cherished]

I have no idea but Briggsy's Girl is always great with this sort of stuff, hopefully she sees this post

[HotI]

If you are a higher earner, his disability payment may be reduced or stopped completely (depending on your money).

I don't know about the other bit.

this might help

http://www.centrelink.gov.au/interne...nts/chartc.htm

[Beatrix]

you also wont be on the Single parent payment any more as well.. you would be classed as partnered and depending on his earnings (pension etc) you may qualify for the partnered parenting payment.

[C~Q]

Thanks guys...gawd even that was confusing lol! I guess if I want a good idea of numbers then I should just call them.

[briggsy's girl]

first things first
at the moment, you're both paid a higher rate of payment because you're single
if you become partnered, you will be paid less each because you share the costs of living (rent, elec etc)

so pps stops, you can apply for ppp
dsp switches to partnered rate

ftb will be based on both of your incomes. essentially, because you will stay on a payment you would still get the same ftba and rent assistance (i assume you get max rate of these, or it is impacted only by maintenance - this would continue if one or both of you is on income support) - ftbb would be maintenance affected so would be less than now

you can apply for carer payment instead of parenting payment, if your partner is in need of additional care. you would change to ppp first and then apply for carers as the application process is longer so you are put on parenting as an interim thing

carer allowance - again, you can apply - this one is not means tested - so if you qualify, it doesn't replace anything else.

as for dollar values - run through the estimator on the c'link website - you'd have a vague idea of your earnings as you've had to do the profit and loss thing already for pps. it will give you fortnihtly values for payments. with that info, you can do the fao side of things as well

[C~Q]

Awesome thanks heaps BG...so essentially my PPS switches to PPP and his DSP switches to DSP partnered. FTBB - you said maitnenance affected...is this for me or him? Becasuse isn't mine already affected by my maintenance?
I'm guessing PPP would be more than carer payment as I have three?
And carers allowance is a possiblity and therefore a plus.
Thanks heaps

[briggsy's girl]

ppp is less than carers - you get the same rate of ppp for 1 or 10 children. carers takes into account the fact that you are limited in the number of hours you can work due to caring for someone who is ill/disabled, so is paid at a higher rater

ftba is already impacted by maintenance - it will continue to be impacted.
ftbb will be impacted as it will now be income tested instead of max rate (when you are single, there is no "lower income earner" as there would be in a couple, so you get max rate - when you are partnered, it is income tested. if he only gets dsp his income would be at a level that would probably halve your ftbb or a bit less)

[C~Q]

Ahhh I see thanks BEEG, you're such a legend

I won't be going anywhere for at least a year so I don't have to rush with anything but it's good info to know

[deletedit]

when you are partnered, it is income tested. if he only gets dsp his income would be at a level that would probably halve your ftbb or a bit less)

Yeah, this is a silly rule. If the lower earner earns more than $4k your FTB reduces dramatically. And DSP is way more than $4k.

My partner is on DSP. Our pays shot up dramatically when he went on it, because DSP has higher income limits than PP. I was getting about $240 a fortnight on PP back then because the income limit is only $60 a fortnight and you lose 50c in the dollar. But if we were both single we'd be getting a good few $100 a fortnight more than we do now, it is quite a steep drop from two singles on payments to a couple on it.

If you're on PPS now and you have any kind of side income and go on ordinary PP, expect to lose a LOT of centrelink money because the PPS income limits are much much much much much higher than the PP income limits.