[Kickingitcountry]

Hi I'm currently pregnant with number one I have just been told due to illness and pregnancy I can't work anymore. As we are low income earners my husband earns $750 after tax I was wondering if I would be entitled to anything I was reading up on sickness benefits but don't know if I would be able to claim as I won't have work to go back to I'm on casual month to month contracts with both my jobs so obviously when this months contract is up they won't renew it as I can't work and it says that in order to receive sickness benefits I have to have a job to go back to once I'm well again. So my question is what if anything can I apply for? Also my ob is happy to sign any form ect.

[Pooks*potters]

To get sickness allowance you must have employment, but be unable to work for a period of time. I was in a similar situation this time last year (unable to work due to HG, first baby).

First and foremost - Test your eligibility for Newstart Allowance (AND the Health Care Card, very important if you are unwell).

Then, if you qualify, have your Ob provide Centrelink medical certificates for an exemption to the 'Looking for Work Requirement'/Activity Test due to 'temporary incapacity'. This is for a maximum 13 week period. Then you will need to reapply. This is not necessarily accepted straight off by Centrelink and it is possible they will send you off for a work capacity assessment. They will judge what kinds of activities and for how long each week you are capable. In my situation, I was seen as incapable of doing any activity and granted a full exemption.

Pregnant women are not required to satisfy the activity test for 6 weeks before their EDD, and do not have to look for work for 3 months before their EDD.

Anyway, apply, then if you are granted newstart and have any issues getting an exemption, PM me and I'd be happy to talk more specifics. You CAN receive the payment and don't have to look for work IF your health and other life circumstances are assessed as making it impossible.

[Kickingitcountry]

Thanks heaps I know it helps to go into centerlinkarmed with some extra info and know what your doing I wouldn't have a clue never had to deal with them since high school for youth allowance. So this should be fun but honestly at this point I would be greatful for anything even a food voucher once a fortnight. I made the mistake of signing up for contracts on our internet ect so I don't have anything I can really cancel so whatever they can give will help

[Pooks*potters]

You could see whether there are hardship provisions with those contracts, if not to exit them perhaps to have a payment plan, drop to a lower rate plan, suspend them, and so on. Maybe seeing a social worker at Centrelink would be worth your while to make sure you're connected with all the relevant support.

All the best, I know it's really tough.

[WinterDancesHere]

Sickness Payment

Here are the income limits for the Sickness Benefit (as well as Newstart).

I went through similar, but was only 20 weeks and was the only income earner and it ended up being too hard. Work ended up paying me for a period until I was able to go back under special provisions.

I suspect, and I hope I am wrong, that your husbands earnings will be too much for you to a receive payment, or if you do it will be minimal.

Good luck and see if you can see a counsellor at Centrelink. They will have less time constraints and are more helpful at seeing what can be done (in my exp).

[Kickingitcountry]

Yeah I will have to look into that about the contracts ect I mean I can live with out my mobile for two months as I will always be at home ect and hubby is going to look at the other stuff tonight we live in the country and I'm not at home right now with all my paper work as I ended up in hospital all Christmas and have to stay at mums for the next week or so with doctors ect.
Yeah I kinda thought he might earn a bit to much but thought I would give it a go anyways they might be able to put me onto something that helps a bit even if it's not a payment.But I have been looking at all the money savings tips in this forum and it's really helpful:) so even if center link can't help I have already found lots of different little ways that will help out a lot just thru reading some of these threads being two incomes with no kids even though I only earned about 250 a week has ment while we have not been rich we have not really struggled either if you know what I mean

[greypink]

I went through a similar situation so I can totally sympathise with you.
I was bedridden from about 6 weeks so couldn't work for my entire pregnancy and my husband was only earning about $700pw after tax. We weren't eligible for any assistance from centrelink so it was obviously very tough, but we got through it. A friend went through similar and said she couldn't access any assistance like food vouchers without a health care card. It's worth checking if you're eligible, as I know the limits do increase each year but I don't like your chances

The toughest thing I found was not having enough money for medication like Zofran and struggling to pay to see a specialist who was an expert on my condition.

Good luck and all the best for the rest of your pregnancy