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Hey Ladies,
I had a friend ask me a question the other day about it.
She is seperated from her husband and sleeping in seperate rooms but still in the same house. She has 2 boys just older then my two. Can she call CL and start claiming it or do they have to be living in seperate houses??
TIA
I *think* it's possible, depending on certain circumstances. I'm pretty sure it used to be impossible, but that the rules have changed over the past few years because let's face it, moving out (especially when kids are involved) is pretty expensive and not everyone has the available finances to just up and leave, kwim? Especially in cases of financial abuse/control by another spouse. Hopefully one of the other girls who knows their stuff can come in and help advise you :) My advice would definitely be to tell your friend to go into Centrelink if she can and ask them directly, I'm sure they would be able to help her according to her individual circumstances. Best of luck to her, a relationship breakdown is never easy. :(
It would be better to call though *sigh. It seems each time you go in they direct you to a phone to call the call centre anyway...
They take into account lots of different circumstances so best to be honest. Is he planning on moving out?
She is planning to move out but is a SAHM and doesnt have much money on from her FTB payments and he controls the money!! I told her to call is the best thing for her to do.
she can call and apply as "seperated under one roof" - she will have to provide additional statements in regards to her circumstances. given you know what is happening she may as you to provide a written statement that you know they're seperated and all that stuff...
definitely better to call - going in to the office, she will be sent to a phone to call the call centre. the call centres have more appropriate staffing levels to help in these circumstances - the offices now only deal with finalising and granting payments, receiving forms etc
:yeahthat:
Also, her FTB payments should be going into her account. If they are now separated, he has no right to control her money. Centrelink will probably discuss the issue anyway, but advise her to change bank accounts into an account maybe he doesn't know.
it's possible - what BG said - its called separated under one roof. The status is generally approved on the basis that the situation is not long term, and proof of the separation will be sought - they will ask to see medicare cards, bills, bank statements, 3rd parties who can verify (e.g. counsellors, doctors etc hold more weight but friends and relatives may help too) - there's specific forms to complete which they can give your friend over the counter at the Centrelink office, or can be issued via the Call Centre. The ex-partner will also be issued with paperwork to complete (it will be mailed to him) and return to assist the decision making process. Some offices will process them on site, but most offices will forward the paperwork to a specialised team to make the assessment. It might be a difficult process for her, because the information that will be requested is quite in depth and may seem invasive but its important to provide as much information as possible so that a decision can be made to pay her the correct entitlement :) HTH
I received it for a while, while I was looking for somewhere else to live. I had an interview with two people and took in ads for rentals I had applied for, letters from two long term friends.
Originally when I enquired about it, Centrelink sent out the wrong forms. Due to the delay this caused, they assessed my application on the spot at the interview.