Changing Parenting Payment recipient

Ok (BG ;) :p) I need a little bit of help. Just wondering, how straightforward is this process?

I start next Monday, but have enough working credits to cover me working the next three weeks part-time and Shel also working part-time, and us not lose much. Then the centre I'm at closes for 4 weeks so Shel will be working, then Shel will quit and I'll be the one working.

Obviously its going to be better for us for Shel to claim parenting payment, but we're just wondering how straightforward it all is? How long will it take them? If Shel stop work on the 16th and I'm the only one working from the 18th, how early should we claim that without them getting all confused and cutting of my existing parenting payment (:rolleyes:).

TIA :)

apply on the 17th. no point shel applying while she is still working, as her employment income would have more of an impact on your entitlement. if you ring and say you want to cancel your payment for shel to apply, the can do it on that day. you will have to report all earnings up to the 16th, and your payment dates will be funny for a while. shel will still have to go through the same process as anyone else in terms of getting all paperwork in within 2 weeks etc

if you need more info, let me know hun

BG

:) Thanks darl, that should be fine :D

Oh, I do have one question, will it be 'harder' for Shel to get it, since she's not yet on the birth certificate? Will she have to prove she's looking after her, or will it just be fairly easy since she's my partner?

given she is your partner and is listed as such on your file, it should be fine. you may be sent a letter asking you to confirm you are no longer the primary carer. step parents can get payment for kiddies, so i cant see any problem with her other mummy getting it!