Single Mums with 4 kids or more - are you forced to work when smallest child is 6?

[Visitor7]

If you receiving Parenting Payment, then yes, when your oldest turns 6 (if you're partnered) or 8 (if you're single) you will need to re-enter the workforce. It's only to do with Parenting Payment though, not FTB.
ETA: link for parenting payment info
http://www.centrelink.gov.au/interne.../parenting.htm

[CathyS]

Yes I get that and have full time care of all of them. Thanks girls.

[deletedit]

You don't have to look for work if you have 4 under 16, I think. But otherwise, as above.

[CathyS]

Ok thanks

[Visitor7]

You don't have to look for work if you have 4 under 16, I think. But otherwise, as above.

That's for what they call 'grandfathered Parenting Payment' customers. So if you were receivng Parenting Payment before they changed the rules (1/07/06), then that's right
Grandfathered Parenting Payment

[~clover~]

Sorry, I'm confused. So, when my youngest turns 6, my oldest will be about 14. Because I will have 4 between 6 & 16 I won't be forced to look for work when the youngest is 6.
(This is given I'm single then of course. Right now I have no idea where I'll be.) But if DH earns enough next financial year that I lose PP all together for more than 12 weeks then end up single later I will have to look for work.
Very confused, lol.

[Visitor7]

clover - if you've been receiving Parenting Payment since before 1/07/06 and your partner remains under the income threshold, or you become single, then yes, you will still qualify. But if your partner exceeds the income threshold and your parenting payment cancels, then you've lost it. If you reapply for it later down the track, you won't be 'grandfathered parenting payment' just parenting payment, so you will need to go back to work.

[~clover~]

Hmm, ok, thanks. I plan to return to work around then anyway I think, if not before. But it is good to know.