is it true (maternity payment?)

[2CheekyMonkeys]

someone told me that from jan 09 everyone will be getting the maternity payment in installments. is this true? i was really looking forward to the lump sum as we were gonna save most of it for a house deposit! i can imagine it getting flitted away if we get bits and pieces of money here and there.

[Tinks]

I'm pretty sure it depends on your age, but could be wrong.

[~Raven~]

Yep it's true!

[Cyathea]

Yep...as of Jan 09 everyone, regardless of age, will be getting it in fortnightly payments, over a period of 6 months. To be eligible, you need to earn less than $150,000/annum ($75,00 per 6 months)

Read all about it below...

Family Assistance Office | Changes to Baby Bonus from 1 January 2009

[Visitor8]

its true. doesn't depend on age. its paid in fortnightly installments over 6 months.

[2CheekyMonkeys]

argh!!!!!!!! not fair! oh well better than nothing i suppose.

[AliBaby]

DAmm it! I was hoping to pay my $2500 tax bill with that straight back to the government and pay some of my credit card off! That so is not fair!

[Visitor8]

I think it is good AND bad. It's bad for the people who would have spent it wisely on a car or something, but it's good as it will help a lot of people spend it better over the 6 months. I think people should already have everything a baby needs before it's born, I did (and I was on centrelink while I was pregnant), my sister is chucking a fit over it though because she has nothing for her new baby due in April.

[2CheekyMonkeys]

i know what you mean ali. is there a reason why they are changing it anyway? and dont they usually change these things per financial year, not calendar year! its a bit of a bugger.

[AliBaby]

Good point. They do normally change things as of July 1st each year.