Entitlements?

[Softy]

Hi all,

I may be jumping the gun but this is on my mind and can't wait till tuesday! I just feel like bursting into tears not happy but don't know where I'll stand and what I'm entitled to if/what I can afford to do if things don't work out. I've had a look at the websites and it has what the single parents pension is but I can't see or work out if you also get the family tax benefit if you get the single parents pension? Also is child support a percentage or agreed upon? I have no idea and need to know where I stand so can feel a bit better either way.

Thanks so much

[No.5]

I've been looking in to this too. As far as I'm aware, you receive both SPP and FTB. Child support can be done either by private arrangement (so you can agree on x amount) or done through the child support agency and they'll decide on an amount.

[megs]

Yes you will receive both Parenting payment single and Family tax benefit. The child support agency needs to be contacted to work out what the assessment is for child support, how you choose to collect that is then up to you, either privately or through child support, but that figure is what Centrelink bases your FTB payment on. If you don't take that step then you will be only paid family tax benefit part A at the base date after about a 2 or 3 month (can't remember) grace period to give you time to contact child support.

[Softy]

Thanks so much guys, that makes me feel a bit better I can now kinda work out where I'll be if I need to. Once I get something in my head I can't stop thinking about it and trying to work it out so I really appreciate you responding especially on Easter Sunday, huge thanks!! Now I can hopefully turn my brain off and sleep better tonight thanks again xx

[megs]

Good luck Softy xx

[briggsy's girl]

You can work out how ftb and child support interact if you go on the human services website and do a family assistance and child support estimate. It will ask you for an estimate of your income, your ex partners income and then will work out what ftb and child support will be (approximately). It will also take into account any shared care (if that is happening).

Mega is pretty much bang on. You have thirteen weeks to contact child support. My suggestion would be to make contact with them as early as possible though as they will only assess you from the date you contact - so you may be entitled to child support from the date you seperate, but they won't take into account the date you seperate - just the date you contact them