A couple of questions

I am applying for single parenting payment, FTB A & B etc and they said it may take 4 weeks :o firstly, do you think it's likely to take that long? I know I odn't have enough money to last another 4 weeks :( secondly, will they back date it or will I just get the stated amount from then on?

I also have some questions about Austudy. I have nearly completed my Cert 3 and I know I won't be able to afford to do my Cert 4 at the college I am currently at. So, if the TAFE course is Austudy approved then will I be able to get it? Will it affect my other payments? From what I can gather I am getting basic FTB A & B and PP single. I am not eligible for rent assis as I am getting too much child support. I really want to do my Cert 4 as the Cert 3 by itself is pretty pointless :(

Thanks everyone :hug:

ETA I have another question. Is there a maximum child support amount? I used the estimate calculator on the child support website with DHs estimated income for next year and it was the same as this year so is there a maximum amount and anything else he earns over that he doesn't have to pay me any more?

Hey - The single parenting payment will be backdated from the time you lodged the form... Hopefully they can get it to you quicker then 4 weeks...
And i dont know about the childsupport hopefully someone can answer this...

hugs!

the timeliness standard is three weeks for processing once all information is obtained - if you're in financial hardship, you can go to a social worker and see if they get it pushed through (well, the PP side of it anyway - as it is income support)

Austudy is an income support payment - you won't get it on top of PP - it's one or the other. the only thing you can try for is the pensioner education supplement (the one mentioned in your other thread) - it's an add-on for PPS. given your course is "austudy approved" it will also be PES approved.

Great thanks guys. The PP is already through now i'm just waiting on the ftb so hopefully that won't take too much longer :)

Thanks again

if it goes over 21 days, you can have it investigated as being outside timeliness standards (but don't use them words lol)