What if you don't receive FTBB in installments? We received it last year as a lump sum at tax time. What does this mean??

We didn't get the last $1,000 payment either so does that mean we won't qualify this time??
if you don't have fortnightly installments (or listed as current but not receiving payments) both of these payments will be processed when you do a lump sum claim at the end of the financial year - you won't be omitted from receiving payments that you're eligible for just because you aren't FTB current - it's just you won't get them until you've done your tax and submitted a lump sum claim application. a lot of people will receive at the end of the financial year - for some, it's just easier to NOT claim through the year cos of the way their income works (i will be one of them when Gremlin arrives - DH's income is so variable!) - it's usually better to get payment at the end of the year than to potentially get a debt for underestimating

what i will suggest for you willow (and anyone else in your circs) is, when your next bubba arrives and you call to claim the baby bonus, you can ask to become FTB current but receive no payment if your DH's income is close to the limit. if you qualify for FTBB you can opt to JUST receive that payment through the year, and FTBA at the end of the year. make sure you talk through payment options with the person on the phone and don't let them fob you off - if you don't understand exactly what they're saying, ask them to say it differently. as a consultant, i would rather explain something half a dozen times (esp to a new mum - it's full on giving birth then trying to understand ftb stuff) and make sure people understand, then to have them hang up not knowing what i was talking about kwim?