[ads id='ads1'] Parenting can be a challenging task when you don't have strong finances. If so, you can find parenting payment in Australia important and helpful. Parenting Payment is one of the top payments services offered by the Australian government to its residents. In this blog, we will discover more about Parenting payment in Australia.   Read Also: An Ultimate Breastfeeding Guide for New Mothers
Parenting payment things you must know - NewlyAussie


Parenting Payment- An Introduction

Parenting Payment is basically a major income support payment for parents of a young child. Parenting payment is available for both single and partnered parents, but it is only payable to one member of a couple. Parenting payment, as an income support payment, provides financial assistance and incentives to principal carers with parenting responsibilities while also motivating them to do good parenting.

 

Parenting payments in Australia are of 2 categories which are:

  • For partnered parents, Parenting Payment (Partnered), otherwise called PPP, is for parents with a youngest child aged less than 6 years old.
  • For single parents, Parenting payment (single), otherwise called PPS, is for parents with a youngest child aged less than 8 years old.

Who can get  Parenting Payment?

To get this payment, you must:

  • Meet principal carer rules. The parental carer rules include:
  • The child is either younger than 8 (in case of single) or 6 ( in case of having a partner).
  • You must be a principal carer, where your responsibility would be day-to-day care, welfare, and the child's development. Please note that only one parent/guardian can be paid Parenting Payment.
  • Meet residence rules in which you are required to be an Australian resident and be present in Australia.
  • You should not have claimed parenting payment before the birth of the child,
  • You must meet all the assets tests and be under the income limits.

How much will be paid on Parenting Payment?

Parenting Payment depends on your and your partner’s circumstances as well as your and your partner’s income and assets. Service Australia updates rates on Parenting Payment each 20 March and 20 September each year.

Some conditions for the parenting payments are:

  • If you are a single parent, you will be given $880.20, including parenting payment and a pension supplement of $25.20.
  • $585.30 for the parents with a partner
  • $691.00 for those who are Partnered, separated due to illness, respite care, or prison
  • Energy supplements and Rent Assistance will be given to eligible candidates for Parenting Payment.

Other payments like Pharmaceutical Allowance, Remote Area Allowance, Telephone Allowance, Mobility Allowance, Education Entry Payment, and Pensioner Education Supplement can be given to you depending on your circumstances.

Do you have to wait to get Parenting Payment?

Parenting Payment is paid every fortnight, but you may have to wait. The waiting period also depends on your circumstances. Let's check the circumstances:

  • Ordinary waiting period ( one week wait for the payments to start)

  • Seasonal work preclusion period ( here you must apply for the payment before 6 months when you and you or your partner finish any seasonal/contract work)

  • Income maintenance period (when you or your partner have left or lost a job)

  • Newly arrived resident's waiting period  ( For those who have recently arrived as an official Australian resident)

How to claim Parenting payment in Australia? 

  • Set up online accounts [ create a myGov account and link it to Centrelink]
  • Provide proof of your identity [Passport/Citizenship/Driver's License, etc.]
  • Provide supporting documents (your child’s birth and the date the child came into your care)
  • Reviews and appeals of a Centrelink decision when you don’t understand or agree with a decision made by officers.

Read Also: How to prepare a hospital bag when having a baby?Parenting payment things you must know - NewlyAussie

Tips to manage Parenting payment efficiently

  1. You can check for a) Advance payment [ When you may get part of your income support payment or Family Tax Benefit (Part A) early], b) Weekly payment option [ Get paid each week instead of each fortnight] and c) Overdrawn bank account
  2. Use Payment and Service Finder to check your eligibility for payments and services that you may be eligible for.
  3. If you have a circumstance where someone has to deal with us on your behalf, you have an authorized representative who can ask, update, act or get payments for you.


Wrapping Up

ParentingPayment is a great relief for parents struggling with finances. If you are a parent of a young child, you can opt for this payment and give your child and yourself some relief.


Also, you can get more information on Parenting Payment.

[ads id='ads2']