would i still be classified as a 'single mum' to centrelink?

[Butterfly Child]

oh ok well i know someone who's doing this and still getting single parenting payments this was why i was confused.. as hes apparently not supporting her or anything financially thought it was abit strange.. sorry for the silly question..

[Lulu]

Nope. It's totally irrelevant what you decide to do with how you pay your bills or your home setup. It's the relationship status that is relevant and I'm pretty sure your friend will know that too.
It's too hard to get payments without fudging the truth or outright lying because of the type of questions asked on the forms and the constant review process.

[briggsy's girl]

i agree with Lulu - if you're living in a marriage like relationship, you're partnered and will be deemed partnered. if someone is living like that and still claiming single parenting payment, they are lying/committing fraud. what happens with your money within that relationship is entirely up to you - many married couples have his money and her money but they are definitely partnered.

[Glamourcide]

^ Definitely agree - there was a point in our relationship when DH and I were on similar money and split bills 50/50 so nobody got the short end of the stick... and yep, Centrelink DEFINITELY considered us partnered I think your friend is telling C'Link a few 'fibs' that might get her in a bit of trouble down the track if she gets busted...

[widdly]

You would have to lie on the forms to still get PPS whilst living with your partner, no matter if they help support you adn the child or not. That is the reason my sister pretty much always stays at her bf's place but still keeps renting her own place, otherwise if they moved in together her bf would have to support a child that is not his own and my sister who doesnt work cause she is looking after her child.

[HotI]

You would have to lie on the forms to still get PPS whilst living with your partner, no matter if they help support you adn the child or not. That is the reason my sister pretty much always stays at her bf's place but still keeps renting her own place, otherwise if they moved in together her bf would have to support a child that is not his own and my sister who doesnt work cause she is looking after her child.

That would be part of being in a relationship with someone.

[deletedit]

I was renting a house once as a single parent and I had a male housemate with whom I split the rent and bills but he was NOT my partner. I had to fill out some absolutely phenomenal number of forms and sign declarations and whatnot to 'prove' he wasn't my partner. He had to fill in a lot of the same forms. Very invasive. This was pre gay relationships being recognised, it would have been simpler to get a female housemate.

I did have a boyfriend at the time but it never got past the *ahem* 'casual' stage, and didn't even make Centrelink's minimum number of nights a week to count for anything (yes, they have a minimum number of nights you can sleep over at some else's house). I think he would have run away screaming at the slightest whiff of 'support' of any kind.