OK I need Help to work this out Parenting Allowance Etc

[tiggerlinda]

Ok the highly organised one in me needs to know what I need to:

I am the main income earner for the family as DH's business is running at a loss for the past fin year and will do for the next 6 months or so until some new contracts come in. I have not been on payments since I was 21 and have no idea where to start.

• What info do I need?
• Can I apply before she arrives?
• Is there any questions I should ask?

Thanks in Advance

[tattoo_mama]

Hi darl,
As far as I can tell you mean 'apply' as in apply for benefits?

The hospital should give you all the Centrelink forms just after you've given birth, you can't apply for payments before bubs is born.

If you want to try work out what youe elegible for and how much, the centrelink website has a calculator thingy where you can put in info (it asks for babys birthdate, I just put in 1.1.09 cause it wanted a date that's already passed, as if the baby is already born), and your estimated income etc and it'll work it all out.
Im not sure about sole trader/own business type stuff but try calling or going into centrelink, they can be a pain to get thru to but at least it'll give you an idea of what you could possibly benefit from. Hope this helps

[tiggerlinda]

Thanks for that this is really confusing for me Think DH and I will take a centerlink visit just after bubs is born

[Danni]

Hey Linda, it's not as confusing as you think

Have a look on the centrelink website. It is laid out really well and almost everything has been explained in easy to understand terms.

There is an online estimator which is very simple to use. You put in your birth dates, babys birth date (just put todays date), your incomes, whether you rent or not, and a few other foreign income questions.

They will then tell you how much PPP (parenting payment partnered) and how much FTB (family tax benefit) you will be entitled to. It will also tell you if your DH will receive any PPP as well. (WHich I think he should considering he is running at a loss)

If you are not currently working, you may be entitled to another payment before the bubs arrives. That would most likely be NEw Start Allowance in your case. This was formally known as the dole.
They may insist that you apply for jobs in this time, but I think the need for applying ceases at approx 34 weeks gestation.

HTH a little bit.

Hopefully BG will have some time over the next few days to give you some more info.

[briggsy's girl]

first bit of advice i can give you is DON'T go to the office looking for help - they will tell you to call

if you're taking unpaid mat leave, you're eligible for newstart allowance before the baby is born and you can then transfer to parenting partnered when baby arrives. essentially what you will need to provide is:
- letter from your doctor with EDD - if you take mat leave from 34weeks, you will have no job search requirements - anything before that, you may be required to look for work unless you provide a med cert
- given your DH is self employed, you will need to provide the last financial years FULL income tax return to be assessed by a complex assessment officer. if your partner hasn't been running his business for a full financial year, you'll have to provide the ITR, as well as an estimated profit and loss for the coming three months. at the end of that three months, you'll have to provide ACTUAL profit and loss for the past three months, and estimate for next three. then actual for past six, estiamte for next three etc until business has been up and running long enough to have a full financial year ITR.
- if last fin years ITR isn't representative of current circs (much higer or lower income), you can do the P/L thing to make sure it's accurate
- if you are going to be on paid mat leave, Newstart won't come into it at all. you will have to apply for parenting partnered when your leave expires
- same deal for parenting payment where your partners income is required to be proven
- for the parenting payment, if your partner is under about $700 a fornight, you'll get full payment for you (around $400 ball park) - if he goes over that, it starts to taper down - if his income is under $1400 a fortnight you'll receive a part payment

- for FTB - if you qualify for parenting payment, you'll get maximum FTBA. you'll have to work out your fortnightly parenting payment entitlement, add it to your income and work out FTBB - you will likely NOT get any FTBB this year, but may qulaify next financial year.



for more help, please RING FAO on 136150 - when you have a phone consultant, you have them for as long as you need them - they can discuss it all with you (self employment, residence stuff - the whole lot) - if you go into the office, they don't have the staff to devote to helping you and you will either get minimal help, referral to the website, or told to call anyway!

[tiggerlinda]

Thanks Heaps BG and Mabello I will make the call and get the letter from the OB for my upaid leave at the next visit.

Thanks heaps again coming from a full on career girl i got a bit confused