If you are on single parent pension, then go off it for a period of time because circumstances change (eg you move in with a new partner) the you are in a position after a while where you are again a "single parent" why aren't you entitled to parenting payment anymore?
This to me sounds crazy, but apparently you are then only entitled to new start, which is a complete different ammount to qualify for than parenting payment single
there was a date in may a few years ago where the rulings were changed - if you were on parenting payment single before that date, you are able to stay on it until your youngest child turns 16, with the explectation that you engage in mutual obligation (similar to newstart) from their 7th birthday. you get to keep your 'grandfathered' parenting payment status (you keep concession card and higher rate of payment). if you go off the single payment for more than a certain period of time (i think it's 13 weeks) you lose your 'grandfathered' status, and are treated under the newer rulings. under the newer rulings, parenting single is only available until your youngest child turns 7. at that time, you move to newstart as a principle carer (you're expected to engage in work/study/training for 15 hours per week, or be actively looking for work). newstart has a lower level of payment and you only get a health care card, not a pension concession card.
thee are other differences, but they are the main ones...
Briggy's girl, that was the explination that was given, but how is that fair that for a single parent who went off centrelink for a few years and did the right thing in supporting themselves are almost punished for it? How is it fair for one person to be entitles to higher payments for an extra 9 years than another just cause for a few months they were off parenting payment. Thats so stupid. No wonder people lie about their relationships and abuse the system by claiming something they aren't entitled to. Centrelink is one big joke.
i just commented in another thread and i'll say it here too - the policy makers obviously don't have to live on welfare payments cos they have no idea how it is in the real world!
i don't agree that there should be changes to the rate of payment - if you're single, you're single. i DO agree with the expectation for meeting mutual obligation agreements once your kids are at school (there has been a lot of study into the impact of being out of the workforce for 16 years or more and it's not good) - but yeah, as a person, not as a centrelink employee, i agree with you wholeheartedly. one single parent is no different to any other.
Q's about paretning payment single
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