Hi everyone,
I have worked full time my whole adult life, except for a couple of years off when my two children were born.
I am now single with two children, and due to certain things going on in life at the moment, I have needed to resign from my employment, and will be living on centrelink for the next few months to a year until I am able to return to work again.
My question is for single mothers who rely only on centrelink payments.. I am scared as my current wage is around $1000 per week, and I have struggled to meet expenses on that wage for the last couple of months so how will I manage living on centrelink payments? What do you do if you just cant manage to make ends meet? Is there any additional help available?
I pay $250 per week for rent, $30 per month for my mobile, the only other expenses I have are electricity, petrol, and groceries, plus a debt which I am currently paying off at $200 per week.
Centrelink are currently calculating which benefits I am eligible for, so I don't know how much I will be receiving yet. I do not receive child support.
I am scared, but I know that other mums are able to manage it so I think I will be ok. I just need some tips and advice on managing with a new lower income.
Please help with some advice if you are in this situation. Thankyou!
19 Replies
Sadly you won’t be able to survive on benefits especially with a $200/week debt. I doubt you will receive any more than $1200/f and there isn’t anything else available apart from charity help with food.
OP here, I am able to contact them and arrange to pay a lower amount fortunately
My advice to you, especially with the finances that you have outlined, is to try and not quit work if you can avoid it. As someone who did depend on Centrelink its HARD and given you have a $200/week debt I do not think its achievable, however I could be wrong, wait until you get your estimates back. But prepare yourself for some really rough months and maybe talk to the people you are repaying the debt to?
Thanks, I wish I could continue working but unfortunately it's not possible at this point. I may be able to work part time if I can find a job. Fortunately, I am able to arrange to repay a lower amount on my debt
I became a single mum and I had to work more hours in order to survive, I couldn't manage just being on Centrelink...is it absolutely 100% necessary to quit your job? It doesn't sound like a good option if you can avoid it.
Unfortunately I cannot keep working at the moment, this is an absolute last resort which I have put off for as long as possible
You should be able to get rent assistance also?
It's tricky to say without knowing your circumstances, it must be nerve wracking for you being so uncertain at the moment.
You will be entitled to rent assistance regardless, so long as you're not in any form of government housing. I pay $700 a fortnight in rent and receive $165 rent assistance. I'm not sure how much you'd be entitled to paying $500 a fortnight but it all helps.
You should be entitled to family tax benefit A and B, again, I'm not too sure what rate you'd get but I receive $700 per fortnight (that includes my previously mention rent assitance).
Now, you should also qualify for single parenting pension if one or both of your children are under 8. Of not, i beleive you'll be placed on newstart, where you will need to see a employment consultant to participate in job search/work for the dole/study.
I don't know if your reasoning is due to health reasons, in which case you may be eligible for a disability pension.
You should receive enough to live, it probably won't be comfortable but you'll scrape by.
1. I read above you can reduce your debt payments. Get those repayments as low as possible.
2. Pay a little towards your utilities each payday, also let your energy company know you have a healthcare/pension card, my company gives you a discount for that.
3. Utilise public transport if you can to reduce your fuel bill if you feel it's high.
4. Meal plan!
5. Don't be afraid to ask for help for food if you need it, Salvos, Vinnies etc are all there for this exact reason. I've needed their help a few times myself.
I hope it all works out for you!
Thankyou, your comment was extremely helpful.
I am leaving my employment for a few different reasons. I have an extremely difficult custody battle happening at the moment with my ex (dv), am about to lose my transport to work (no alternatives), my debt is for legal fees as I did not qualify for legal aid... I cannot afford to keep my lawyer on anymore and as long as I am working I do not qualify for legal aid. So basically if I continue to work, I will have little to no legal help and I REALLY need it for this case. Add on to that the stress of trying to keep up at work its just literally not manageable at the moment.
It’s impossible to “live” on Centrelink... you can barely survive.
Please don’t quit your job until you’ve paid back that loan.
If you need to quit - then find another job that suits your circumstances first. Ie night shift (you would obviously need someone their for the kids, but if they go to school you can sleep during the day) even if it’s only 15 hours a week (2 days) then do it, every cent helps and Centrelink won’t hassle you to attend appts.
As for child support, you will need to claim (it’s mandatory from Centrelink) unless you can prove father unknown or domestic violence.
Try and live on $1300 a fortnight for the next few weeks before you quit - see if it’s doable.
Good luck and I hope your circumstances change to benefit your family :)
My childs father currently does not receive an income therefore i get no child support
He should be on some sort of government benefit?
There is a set amount per child for this circumstance. Call them.
Hi, you need to apply for a child support exemption with Centrelink. This is for cases of domestic violence. You need to speak to a social worker and they will need third party verification of violence. Can be a court order or family or friend they can contact,once exemption in place, you get maximum ftb a and b. It takes into account you not receiving any child support and would be fearful of collecting due to dv. Obviously if you start working the ftb amounts will vary. When you get onto your payments they will discuss this with you.
Thankyou there is a dvo in place i will notify centrelink
Can you talk to your current employer about changing your hours or role? Even if you can work enough to 'top up' for now without loosing the Legal Aid support. I believe there is a DV support clause in employment awards with larger employers. And small employers may have flexible arrangements if you are valuable to them - especially if they have a close work relationship with you
Have legal aid taken you on? If they're representing him, I don't think they can represent you?
No. I wasnt eligible while i was working. I am going to reapply now i have resigned. He has a private lawyer
So he has no income to pay child support, yet can pay a lawyer?? 🤬 what a scumbag