Full time job, FTB & Housing...

**~clover~** · May 27th, 2014, 12:55 AM

I'm hoping someone has an idea how the system works in WA. Both government housing & centrelink. There are some small differences over here.

I've applied for a full time job. This morning I received a call requesting an interview (panel type interview! *stressing*), so now I really need to think about how this job will affect my life if I was to get it.

First of all, I am on carers payment. I can only work 30 hours a week on carers. This job is 38 hours. Difference between it & school is 1.5 hours after school 4 days a week. So I'd lose my carers payment.
I need to know, when this happens, do I then go apply for PPS? Will I still be eligible for anything with a ft job? Or do I leave it. Does the job being temporary affect any of that (loss of carers/eligibility for PPS)? The job is 3 month trial basis, temporary maternity leave position with possibility of an ongoing position.

My other questions are pretty much dept housing questions. I was only just eligible for this house earning $150 a week from my last work place.

I think I still may just be okay on what I've quietly been told is the estimated pay rate. But there are still a few issues.

1, over here housing do not accept centrepay from your FTB. Only from income support payments. WA is the only state that do this.
If I'm cut off, they will accept other forms of payment won't they? Direct debit, or FTB??

2, how much do I lose in the $$ for FTB? I think income support rates are different aren't they? I've been told a few different amounts in the $$ after a certain amount.

3, crazy one, but needs to be asked. I'll be a bit lower for FTB to count in non existant csa payments. Would my one csa payment in over 2 years (backdated) affect my income for housing? csa would go down anyway I guess?

I'm just a bit confused, & very worried that I will lose my payments AND my house for a 12 month job :/ I want to apply to buy this house one day. This is a long term goal I'm trying to make happen, but I'm wondering if its worth the trouble?

**~clover~** · May 27th, 2014, 11:04 AM

No one?

**HotI** · May 27th, 2014, 11:15 AM

Can you ask if you can do the position 4 days?

sorry i can't help with the rest

**~clover~** · May 27th, 2014, 11:20 AM

I'm in a small community. If I was to do that it'd mean employing someone else. I'd certainly lose my chance if I even suggested it.

I don't mind losing my carers etc, as long as I can apply for PPS. I'm most worried about losing my house.

**briggsy's girl** · May 27th, 2014, 11:46 AM

If you otherwise qualify for pps (income limits, age of youngest child etx) there is no reason you couldn't apply for it.

Call up and speak to the carers team. Regarding hours worked and respite etc. Given your child I you receive carers for will be in school., I'm not sure how repute works exactly - but there are a certain number of weeks you can go over the hours worked without losing carers by accessing respite provisions. The carers team would be the only ones to give you a clear answer.

If ou remain on carers or pps, nothing would change with ftb. If you go off income support your ftb will be based on your income estimate. Your child support may be impacted either way. You would need to speak to child support to discuss that one

**e_p** · May 27th, 2014, 11:48 AM

if you lose your carers payment (I'm not clear on the respite allowances but you can have so many days per year of not meeting the care requirements and retain the payment - might be worth looking into if the job is initially a 3mth trial?), your eligibility for PPS would depend on whether you come under the income limit - $1993.35 p/fn gross plus $24.60 for each additional child. As long as you're under that limit and meet all other requirements for PPS (principal carer, asset test, age of children etc) you should retain your FTB at the same rate as you receive now.

No idea about housing, I'm sorry. Good luck x

**~clover~** · May 27th, 2014, 11:52 AM

I'll do that BG. Thanks.

From the info I've received, gross income is less than that amount. So that's good to know.

I'm trying to get hold of my housing officer to find out more from her. But she always seems to be out of the office, or doesn't call me back. Someone suggested that I shouldn't be kicked out & that I'd possibly just pay market rent. If I have to pay market rent does that mean I can apply for rent assistance? (Without rent assistance I pretty much pay market rent here anyway

)

There are only 2 other applicants for the job, while I don't think I could possibly have a chance, obviously I do or I wouldn't have made it through to interview stage. I'm so scared! lol

**~clover~** · May 27th, 2014, 02:12 PM

I just spoke to my housing officer. If I was to earn more than $815 a week, before tax, including centrelink benefits, I would be referred to another agency. I wouldn't be kicked out immediately, but the goal of the other agency would be to help me find a private rental, or if there are none available they would help me look to purchase a property. It is around a 6 month process. Of course I forgot to ask what happens if the income is only temporary/12 months, but I guess I'll address that if & when it happens.

At least I won't be kicked out & left homeless. I really hope I can stay in this house though.

I wonder if they'd hire me purely on me asking for a lower pay rate

I'm a bit confused about one thing. I mentioned my carer allowance as it isn't income tested & she said because it's an allowance they don't count it. Does this mean FTB or my carers may not count? Or is this carer allowance alone & the other 2 are still income? I know one of them isn't considered taxable income... So do both my FTB & income support payment count? I guess if I lose my carers & don't apply for PPS there's no payment to consider is there?