is it worth it, going into centrelink ?

[WestChick]

does anyone know if it will be worth me going into centrelink , im not working, weve got a mortgage to pay, and bills are pilling up.

df earns about $59g annual year and i earnt $20g last annual year, and about $2000 this annual year, im 34 weeks preg, so i can see anyone wanting to hire me to work,

or should i just wait till i have bub, coz i dont really want to waste time, by going in there and them not being able to help us out.

any help would be great

Thanks

[Lulu]

Umm, it's probably not worth it considering DHs income. The website has heaps of information and you don't have to register or anything to do the calculators etc.

[mrsmac]

After bub is born you would qualify for fortnightly payments plus the baby bonus. I would look on their website and see what you might qualify for.

[Liz]

Yeah, check out the website, and maybe even give them a ring.

But when you fill out all the paperwork after bub is born that includes FTB payments and things as well as the maternity payment I think, so you can get it all sorted then

[the_wretched1]

Definitely call Centrelink ASAP. They pay you from the date you contact them if you are eligible for any payments so if you wait and you could have gotten something from them you'll miss out. Also if you're within 6 weeks of your due date you're exempt from having to look for a job.

[Lulu]

You will be entitled to FTB etc, but until bubs is born you won't be eligible for anything due to your partners income. All FTB payments are backdated regardless of when you apply (within reason!).

You should get all the forms you need in hospital for your FTB.

[briggsy's girl]

yup, what lulu said

Dh's income is too high for any income support (you'd have to look at Newstart at this point - and he'd have to be earning less than 800 before tax each fortnight to even look at qualifying for a small amount)

when bubs is born, you'll get all thr forms you need to apply for baby bonus and FTB - it will take up to three weeks to process, so your best bet is to get the application done asap (it takes about half ohour on the phone, depending on your circ)

HTH

BG

[WestChick]

thanks for the help ladies :-) much appreciated

i tried out the estimator.. lol 5 c is what id get, so i think ill just have to plan out budget a bit more carfully from now on.