Would centrelink let us do this?

This morning DH called me and told me that the recruitment firm he works for could be going under :( It's possible that he might lose his job in March. If that happens then we're both screwed :( I know i'd get the max from CL if I wasn't getting any child support but hell, i'll be losing $2700 a month.

I said if the worst comes to the worst then he can move back in here and we could halve the rent, bills and everything. I think it would be a great way for both of us to be able to save a bit (or at least struggle through).

We wouldn't be "together" neither of us wants that anymore, we would be in seperate rooms and eveerything, living like flat mates.

So would we be allowed to do that or would CL class us as being back together?

Any advice would be great, TIA

Yep - centrelink are fine with it so long as it is actually the case (not that I doubt you - they just need some sort of evidence) like letters from people who know you, neighbours, things like that.

I have a friend who has been co-habitating (I think that is how they refer to it) with her babies father for about 3 years and it works for them.

Yes, as long as you are genuinely not 'together' then there is nothing to stop two parents sharing a house and still claiming sole parents.

I know a couple who did this even though they were together for years. Very naughty and not friends of mine!

A friend of mine did it years ago. They had to get verification from 2 people who knew them & were ok for about 6 months.
After that though they decided coz he was the kids father that either they'd have to go back together again, or he'd have to move out.

Oh great thats a relief! To be honest other than the money side of things there aren't any pros to the situation but sharing the rent and all bills would be great. We both get on and neither of us (as far as I know) have found anyone else yet.

I'm sure he would do my head in and i'd still have to get an aupair but at least the kids would see him a lot more. Although then it would be hard on them agian when he left :(

Hey sorry but don't bet on it. I would never, ever grant a claim like that. There are several key issues they look at. One of the big things is that many people just stay that way, or the financial relief mends the fences. Financial issues are a key reason, providing support in different ways etc.

Just don't take it as a given, some people have it granted but only for a short period. Waaaaay too many people try to rort this one so the reins are pretty tight. Not to mention there have been many, many changes in the last few years.

You better go in or call first ok hun?

seperated under one roof is damn hard to prove sorry ladies - esp in this situation - he's moved out, and then moved back in - it's something that I, as a consultant like Lulu, would struggle to grant. it's a very hard situation and one i wouldn't wish on anyone - but i'd be reluctant to say you'd be given the benefit of the doubt and have it granted... if it were, it would be VERY short term and would be reviewed harshly due to him moving out and then back in - i would think you'd be expected to declare yourselves partnered, then hope like hell he gets a job in a hurry and moves out soon....

technically, you've shown that you can survive without him, so there is no financial need for you to share...

It was 6 years ago when my friends did it. & as I said, it only lasted 6 months before centrelink decided that was it.
I do hope that everything works out though. Either way.

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technically, you've shown that you can survive without him, so there is no financial need for you to share...

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The thing is though if he loses his job then I won't be getting any child support so financially we'd be stuffed. As would he because he wouldn't be able to pay his rent till he got another job.

So it's possible to do but very hard is that right? Would we have to convince someone? What exactly is the process?

I reckon give them a ring CQ. Tell them your situation & see what they say.

Why can't he move in with a friend?

Another issue is that you are both benefiting financially from this arrangement. It's just the way it is.

yep u can but u must provide proof that ur separated they will ring some one ya know to get them to vouch for u. I did this before altho we were together but paying our own ways then boyfriend slept on my lounge room floor till marriage. I told centerlink of this from day 1 and we had no issues. and yes no sex before marriage if u were wondering. we were living togethor but paying our own ways.

To be honest i'm more worried about me. With me losing his child support money there is no way on earth we can stay in this house :( Which means we have to move to a 3 bed house which means no aupair which in turn means I won't be able to work as a PT :(

If he moves in here HE can be the aupair till he finds another job IYKWIM?

$2700 a month is a lot to loose from your budget. I can see why CQ is looking at the idea of them sharing.
Yeah XDH could move in with a mate to ease his living costs. But that still leaves CQ $2700 a month short.

then its classed as a marriage-like relationship babe.

Try not to worry too far ahead. If the bloke can earn big bucks like that I'm sure he can pick up something else yeh?

I know FJ, but its about who benefits and the definition of a marriage-like realtionship and financial arrangements are a huge part of this.

I asked that question about the sharing because thats what they will ask when she calls Clink.

I know FJ, but its about who benefits and the definition of a marriage-like realtionship and financial arrangements are a huge part of this.

I asked that question about the sharing because thats what they will ask when she calls Clink.

the process is a hell of a lot more complex as it stands at the moment - simply because he has moved out. you are single and living as a single woman - letting the ex that you have not been living with move back in won't be looked at as being for financial reasons - it will be seen as a reconcilliation of sorts. the fact that you're asking if you'd be allowed to do it shows that you're already doubtful yourself - and with good reason

whether he is paying child support or not, you have an annual entitlement (which will be adjusted), FTB will be adjusted accordingly - you will NOT get maximum rate (so please don't base anything on that assumption) - your child support will be annualised and it's impact on ftb will be worked out for the balance of the year

from the governments perspective (and i'm saying it as an employee, NOT my own opinion, so don't get shirty as me) - child support isn't for paying every day expenses, that is what your income support and ftb are for, if you are entitled to more FTB and less child support you'd be expected to make it work. your ex would have other alternatives (he'll get new start and rent assistance unless he receives a pay out which he'd be expected to live on (annual leave, redundancy etc).

i'm not saying NOT to try it, just giving you the info as it is - it is HIGHLY unlikely it would be approved. MOST seperated under one roof apps are rejected based on many different reasons..

Tell you wat I waih I could afford a aupair. Actually Im sure there are alot of simgle mums who wish they could more then me. LOL, it is just a fancy word for a baby sitter/nanny right?

Thanks BG - I wouldn't get shirty with you!!! I really appreciate your advice.

Crap, i'd kind of assumed that I would get max from CL if I was no longer getting CS. So if my CL money stayed the same and I lost CS i'm pretty much ****ed.

Lulu - I know he could easily pick up another job if it was six months ago but right now...the reason his business is going under is because people AREN'T employing people :(

Wow, just when I think i've got things sorted I get a massive dump of **** in my lap. It's all just too hard :(

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Tell you wat I waih I could afford a aupair. Actually Im sure there are alot of simgle mums who wish they could more then me. LOL, it is just a fancy word for a baby sitter/nanny right?

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You'd be surprised! You can get a demi-Aupair which you don't have to pay anything for! They work for free for up to 20 hours a week. You have to give them room and board and feed them. A normal Aupair will work up to 40 hours a week for $200. It's really affordable if you're going to work full time. You also have to give them free room and board and food etc...but it still works out a hell of a lot cheaper than you'd think. Esp if you have a job outside of normal cc hours which I will.

Life is like that for me too CQ, Money wise we have been doing semi ok. So of course now we are having issues with out car... expensive issues.

you won't lose ALL cs - even if he's on the dole, you'll get about 25 a fortnight - not a lot, but still something.

it's not a great situation to be in, but realistically, he's more likely to get off his heiny and get work again if he's living with a friend short term than back in the "family home" - if he's there, he's going to take on primary carer role for the kids, and even if you DO get the seperated under one roof status short term, if you're working and he's the SAHP, he can apply for, and would be granted, the PPS, the FTB and child support from you...

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if he's there, he's going to take on primary carer role for the kids, and even if you DO get the seperated under one roof status short term, if you're working and he's the SAHP, he can apply for, and would be granted, the PPS, the FTB and child support from you...

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:wall: :wall: Agghhhhhh! Thanks for the info guys. I'm off now to the gym to sweat and forget about all this **** for an hour or two.

[QUOTE=briggsy's girl;1619654] from the governments perspective (and i'm saying it as an employee, NOT my own opinion, so don't get shirty as me) - child support isn't for paying every day expenses, that is what your income support and ftb are for, if you are entitled to more FTB and less child support you'd be expected to make it work. /QUOTE]

I've been thinking a lot about this over night and I just don't understand how that can be...I get $850 a fortnight from CL - that doesn't even cover my rent. I could find somewhere further out for about $100 a week less ($350 a week) and that would then leave me with $150 a fortnight for groceries and bills. Can someone please tell me how to make that work?? It's not possible!

How are is a 4 person family supposed to survive on $850 fortnight :dunno:

If you get his child support reassessed you may be able to get your rate of FTB put up a bit. I'm not sure it would make a huge difference though as it sounds like the amount of CS has already been pretty high for this financial year & it is all based on the whole financial year. Not the circumstances at the time.

I'm only entitled to $200 cs a month & it cuts my FTB. Not by very much, but it does cut it a bit.
Will DH be getting a redundancy pay out? This will have an effect on it all too.

I'm living every month on less that your child support amount. Thats including my cs.

Unfortunaletly thats the way it works. I honestly don't think there's anyway you'll get any more than that except maybe a bit more FTB.

Do you get rent assistance? You may be entitled to it if you don't already get it?

Thats a hell of alot of rent.
Maybe you should look for something cheaper anyway?

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Thats a hell of alot of rent.
Maybe you should look for something cheaper anyway?

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I know but I live in Brissy and thats the way it goes really :( For the job that i'm going to do I have to have somebody live in with us because the hours start at 5am and finish at 10pm (split shifts) so out of cc hours. So I need 4 beds. Also where I live is within 20 mins of about 6 gyms that I can work at which will increase my chances of GETTING work (if someone pulls out of a class I can get there in reasonable time to take it myself).

I've done searches and there is next to nothing within a 20K radius that is much cheaper except if you look at the dodgy areas with schools that I will not put my kids into :( I'd rather get 9-5 work in an office and stay here.

I can just see my dreams of working in the fitness industry slipping away and it's devastating.

bjrose - How many of you are there? How do you manage on so little? I know if I lived somewhere else then rent would be cheaper but then the work wouldn't be there :wall:

Its a pitty you can't get the work you want with in school hours.

There's me & my 3 kids, so 4 of us.
I am only paying $200 a week rent though. Which is alot less than you. I'm in a 3brm duplex.
We just live week to week. Alot of the time I'll pay my bills & do the shopping & have no money at all left for the week.
Lots of layby's!!

It would be hard leaving your work opportunities behind. Is it worth it for you to work? Will your pay from working cover the costs of living? I think its that simple really. If you aren't going to be able to live off your wages, then you might not be able to do it.
Maybe you could put working off for 12 months & go somewhere a bit cheaper til DH is working again.
I'm picky about schools too. My DD1 has been at 2 small public schools & a private school as I wasn't keen on the alternitive.
I wouldn't want to uproot your kids & change schools & all that either, but sometimes it has to be done. There should be smaller private schools around. The one DD was at last year was $850 for the year. Just a catholic school, nothing real flash or special, but enough to teach good values & stuff.

I don't know. Hopefully none of this happens? & you can keep on going the way you are?

CQ i had a huge response typed up to this, and the net ate it - hope this one doens't go west as well!

i'm going to speak not as a BB member, more as someone you would get on the phone. i would give the same response to ANYONE i spoke to in you situation. you may not like it, and i'm NOT attacking you, just saying it how it is. i'm also putting it out there for others to read.

firstly - centrelink payments are for essentials - basic rent, basic food, basic living. it is a social security payment to get you through until your circumstances are better. it's not there to pay for a lifestyle. it is minimum wage to help you out. there is nothing in c'link payments (income support wise) that is there to help you pay for high end accommodation (and 450 a week, when relying on welfare payments, is high end - even if it's only that exxy cos of WHERE it is, not WHAT it is) - you have been assessed for child support. your ex is paying - a lot of them don't - so there are a lot of single parents that have to survive on what you're getting from c'link

now, i understand we all have dreams of what we want to do - what our dream occupation/career is - there is nothing wrong with that - BUT, there is nothing wrong with working in another role while you build to that dream - working retail or an office job to supplement your welfare payments isn't a bad thing. it might delay you being able to work in that dream role, but if it tides you over, what is the drama with it? you know you're going to lose CS for a period of time (or at least drop to sweet bugger all) so if you choose to remain where you are until this time passed, you need to make choices as to what is most important for you - is it more important to stay where you are in the long term (get another job), or to be a PT only (move, pay a LOT less rent, travel for work). there is only so far money will go, and you have to live within your CURRENT means. for now, that's a pretty good life due to the CS you receive - it won't continue to be if you lose CS so you have to make choices.

ultimately, i'm not saying you can't TRY for seperated under one roof - but i don't believe it will be granted - or if it is, it will be extremely short term. you will lose some of the rent assistance you currently get with your PPS as you'll be deemed a sharer, and you'll find even your Ex can't afford to "share" with you - if he pays half the rent, it's 450 a fortnight, without rent assistance (which won't be a huge amount), if he's on newstart, you're looking at less than 500 a fortnight for him - take child support from that 50 difference, he's down to about 25 a fortnight. are you prepared to support him? cos ultimately, you WILL end up supporting him. do you need to have that on your head? he won't be able to afford half the rent, half the utilities, child support, fuel and normal expenses PLUS food - so what he is paying towards your kids will more than be lost in what you pay out for him... is it possible, being the "SAHD" with the kids while you try and put yourself out there will become a comfort zone (if he's your Au Pair while you put yourself out there, is he going to expect the same treatment - ie free room and board) - if he gets comfy, will it stop his motivation to get work? if he moves in to look after the kids, will you start doing "family" stuff - cos if you start going places together, you'll be considered partnered in the eyes of society, and bang, any single status is gone!


to EVERYONE that is reading - keep in mind - tha absence of sex in a relationship is not enough to deem you single - there are MANY MANY MANY other aspects of a marriage like relationship that are taken into account - sleeping arrangements mean squat!

Thanks BG, I really appreciate you tellingit like it is and not sugar coating things - I know thats not what I need at the moment.

And I know you're right and it's what XDH tells me all the time - we're not all lucky enough to work in our dream job - I just thought I would be :(

I don't think he would get "comfy" if he was at home looking after the kids. He's always had a very strict work ethic and his career has always been his main focus. I think it would do his head in being at home but i'm not prepared to put my career on hold this time. If he's here - I"M going to go and work not him.

Bjrose - to be honest I don't know if it would be worth my while working once you take into account childcare and before and after school care for the other two. The frustrating this is after about 6 months of working all the hours god sends I can set myself up with enough daytime clients to be able to work the hours I want. But initially I have to do mornings, nights, whatever I can get to build up my client base.

I guess if I move, and get a part time job I might be able to make it work without money from him...I guess it all depends on what I find and what kind of rent I can get. At least I have a few months to get organised.

It;s funny, I knew in the back of my mind that I shouldn't have spent all that money on the course. I knid of knew that I wasn't going to be able to make it happen :(
Hopefully none of this will happen - hopefuly if it does he'll get another job quickly - hopefuly I get offered a fantastic opertunity somewhere - hopefuly I win the lotto!!!

Hmm.......That reminds me again that I have tickets in the $3 mil drawer that I haven't had checked!
Maybe one of us will win the lotto!