So confused. DF and I are changing roles & apparently payments

[butterfly_warrior]

I don't know about the primary carer thing, but our FTB has always been in DH's name since Sam was born, even though I was the one who stayed home with him for the first year and then again from when he was 18 months old. Now that I have a DSP, we also get rent assistance - which comes in with DH's FTB payments. We're eligible for it because I have the DSP, but it just tacks on to what DH was already getting.

We've never had to deal with PP, so our case is a little bit different, though.

BW

[Indadhanu]

It doesn't matter who the carer is when it comes to FTB etc. because it is FAMILY tax benefit, so it just goes on the income, not WHO is earning the income. If you were both earning an income that comes into it but it just says something like "primary income earner" and "secondary income earner", so it doesn't matter who earns what income or whose name it is getting the FTB payments.

[briggsy's girl]

FTB isn't paid to the primary carer - it's paid to the family, so can be in either name (and is best kept in one name for the life of claiming - swapping and changing is right painful)

PB, the info you've given is not correct for this circumstance
you've provided the information that applies if BOTH parties are on income support, one of those parties being on a pension (aged pension, carer pension, disability pension) - they income is treated differently in these circumstances (due to the theory that pension customers have less ability to earn money so the income is split as if earned by both parties, and the impact is different. basically if your partner is on one of these payments, you can earn more before they lose the entire payment.

[Pretty Butterfly]

Again, just skip over this one!!!

[briggsy's girl]

The rest was copied from the C/L site??

Now I am confused then!!!

you need to find the information for parenting payment when partner is not receiving payment or is on an ALLOWANCE (newstart etc) as opposed to a pension

will see what i can find

[briggsy's girl]

ok, this link should help more (this is part of the information book we receive at work and what we use to calculate entitlement)

(my apologies PB - i swear your post said "partner is on a pension") - the numbers in your previous post are correct! SORRY

the link in this post is all the basic information you should need though. if you're unsure of eligibility based on your circumstances you can run an estimator (centrelink rates only, not FAO rates) and it will help you work out what you'd get


i need sleep - not reading things properly today! sorry!

[Pretty Butterfly]

I know the FTB etc dont matter, but couldn't any guy say he is the "primary carer" and get PPP instead of the dole then, and just sit at home?

A friend does FDC, so is at home all day with their kids, and partner is on the full dole ....can he say he's the primary carer now, and get PPP for the kids, instead of the dole?

Seems something would be in place so this doesnt happen, otherwise dads all over the country on the dole would be on PPP instead!!! LOL

( I dont mean this for Alibaby's case, she is out working and a parent needs to be at home, but my friends kids count in her numbers, so they are "with" her anyway )

[briggsy's girl]

if that's what they want to do, then they can. it is not up to a consultant (or the government) to define the primary carer of a child. if someone states they are the primary carer, who are we to argue. the reality of the situation is that, if someone has the mentality that they WANT to bludge, whether they're on newstart (the dole) or parenting, they're going to do it. the people who want to screw the system are already well and truly doing it. they know the loopholes. they're the ones more likely to say they're seperated under one roof, while still living in a marriage like relationship and continuing to have more kids with their (ex) partner.

primary carer status is up to the family. Seven days a fortnight, and overnight EVERY night, i am my DD's primary carer. but for c'link, DH is listed as primary carer. not because we're trying to dupe the system, he would get exactly the same on newstart, but because he was linked to a job network member, while on newstart, that couldn't help him with the problems with his eyes, couldn't get a referral to an appropriate provider who COULD because they were booked up for months in advance, so we switched him to PPP when i went back to work, so that he didn't have to waste time attending pointless appointments. for all intents and purposes i am deemed her primary carer (she still BF's at least four or five times a day/overnight and i don't express so i HAVE to be around), but the government have DH listed as primary carer at this point in time. in 10 days he goes of parenting payment based on my income, and then it goes back to just FTB and no one gives a fig who her primary carer is again lol

[Pretty Butterfly]

WOW, I didnt know that that was the case, I assumed it wouldnt work!! (the PPP thing with partners getting it instead of the dole)

When Ad was on newstart it was a NIGHTMARE..... he was VERY activly looking for work, but was being harrased to go to "mock" interviews, and learn how to make a resume, and learn how to dress etc... all of which took time away from actually looking for work... ( and are things he def knows how to do for chrits sake, He wore a shirt and tie everyday and dealt with ov/s customers daily!) They made him get a fork lift licence, when he works in computers...
He wasted mountains of time with guys who had NO intentions in getting a job, and wasting Ads valuable time... Wish we had known this then, it would of made life a LOT easier!!!

eta...hehehe, no worries, ill still fix them up!!

[Indadhanu]

I know the FTB etc dont matter, but couldn't any guy say he is the "primary carer" and get PPP instead of the dole then, and just sit at home?

A friend does FDC, so is at home all day with their kids, and partner is on the full dole ....can he say he's the primary carer now, and get PPP for the kids, instead of the dole?

Seems something would be in place so this doesnt happen, otherwise dads all over the country on the dole would be on PPP instead!!! LOL

Not to hijack, just to mention. I contacted the OECEC (which is our QLD department daling with making sure the legislation is being followed) and they said that (for Qld at least, but I dare say it's the same for other states) if there is another adult home with the child, (and its a regular thing, like they are registered as the primary carer so it's obvious they are there to specifically care for the child) they don't count in the numbers. So when I do FDC Shel will be at home, as the primary carer for Jazz, getting PPP. So him being primary carer would be legitimate.
Let your friend know. She might be able to take more children if thats something she wants to do.

[Pretty Butterfly]

Oh thanks Leash, that makes sense!!

It always bugged me that if another parent was home with your kids, and they were parenting the kids while you work, how they still counted in numbers....if he is going to be home, my g/f should be able to bring more income in with taking on more kiddies!!!
With Ad still going in and out a bit for work, I couldnt get mine taken off numbers just yet... bummer!!