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Child Support- info required!

bryce's-mummy View Member Profile	27/02/2013, 04:34 PM Post #1
Posts: 1,976 Joined: 14-April 05 From: South Australia
Advanced Member
I have recently gone onto a parenting payment (single) and Centrelink told me that I only had 28 days to apply for child support from my ex. I called up the child support office today and I had a lady explain to me to NOT to apply until 13 weeks had almost passed. She said that as soon as I apply then CL will cut my rate of FTB and parenting payment (which I did know about). So she said that I am better off to get maximum entitlements and that this was the way to go about it. I am not sure why CL told me 28 days??? They did send me a letter today though which does stipulate a date that I need to apply for child support by- and this is around the 13 week mark. Does this sound right? What should I do? Also, if I do take this advice and NOT apply until just before the 13 weeks are over, will my ex need to back-pay child support from the day we separated? Or, am I better off receiving whatever I get from centrelink with child support (like when you work they deduct money off you but you always end up that little bit better off)? Confused now!

Sunnycat View Member Profile	27/02/2013, 06:26 PM Post #2
Posts: 9,224 Joined: 9-October 09
If a cat doesn't like you, then what's wrong with you?
No idea, but am bumping this up for you.

bryce's-mummy View Member Profile	27/02/2013, 06:29 PM Post #3
Posts: 1,976 Joined: 14-April 05 From: South Australia
Advanced Member
thanks I have also placed this in the one parent families section. I am hoping that someone knows about this!!

~Elphaba~ View Member Profile	27/02/2013, 06:30 PM Post #4
Posts: 2,685 Joined: 11-February 07
Advanced Member
It won't be backdated. The rest I can't help with.

Back2Insanity View Member Profile	27/02/2013, 06:41 PM Post #5
Posts: 395 Joined: 30-October 11
Member
I would be applying ASAP. I waited to almost the full 13 weeks had passed and it takes several months often to start collecting child support from the other party. So FTB dropped down at 13 weeks but it took about 3-4 months afterwards til I actually started seeing anything

jossy View Member Profile	27/02/2013, 06:51 PM Post #6
Posts: 356 Joined: 30-March 08
Member
You've been given a lot of incorrect information! You do have 13 weeks to get child support sorted. After that your FTB A will reduce to base rate only and you lose rent assistance as well (not sure if you are applying or are entitled to this) if it hasn't been sorted. It can take some time to get organised so I would be starting the process now. It is incorrect that your Parenting Payment Single will be reduce by any maintenance received. It impacts on your FTB A and Rent Assistance (if applicable). At the end of the day you will be better off in terms of the total amount per fortnight you are entitled to via both agencies. I'm actually a little shocked that CSA told you to put off applying. That is terrible advice. You are entitled to receive maintenance and your ex-partner is obligated to pay it. It sounds like the operator couldn't be bothered to be honest because if anything it will disadvantage you depending on the amount of maintenance you are entitled do. Get it started now. I'm ex-Centrelink staff and the number of customers who had their FTB reduced because CSA hadn't gotten their act together was relatively high. All of the above comments are of course assuming your ex will pay what he's supposed to on time.

hiddensecrets View Member Profile	27/02/2013, 07:01 PM Post #7
Posts: 5,696 Joined: 14-February 07
obssessed
If your centrelink gets cut but he doesnt pay you can also go onto what they call dispersement method. It is where you get FTB as if you do not get child support. Yes, if he pays you will get a debt but it is never more than what you have gotten in child support. I am on this method as my ex never pays. I would get child support started asap if I were you.

bryce's-mummy View Member Profile	27/02/2013, 09:10 PM Post #8
Posts: 1,976 Joined: 14-April 05 From: South Australia
Advanced Member
QUOTE (jossy @ 27/02/2013, 07:51 PM) It is incorrect that your Parenting Payment Single will be reduce by any maintenance received. It impacts on your FTB A and Rent Assistance (if applicable). At the end of the day you will be better off in terms of the total amount per fortnight you are entitled to via both agencies.... I'm actually a little shocked that CSA told you to put off applying. That is terrible advice. You are entitled to receive maintenance and your ex-partner is obligated to pay it. It sounds like the operator couldn't be bothered to be honest because if anything it will disadvantage you depending on the amount of maintenance you are entitled do. I was under the impression by what CL told me that my parenting payment single is based on income earned and that ex-DH paying CS is then classified as income- hence payments dropping. I am upset that they gave me incorrect info. I have a receipt number. I am going to put in a complaint- most definately. Tomorrow in fact.

hiddensecrets View Member Profile	27/02/2013, 10:36 PM Post #9
Posts: 5,696 Joined: 14-February 07
obssessed
QUOTE (bryce's-mummy @ 27/02/2013, 07:10 PM) I was under the impression by what CL told me that my parenting payment single is based on income earned and that ex-DH paying CS is then classified as income- hence payments dropping. I am upset that they gave me incorrect info. I have a receipt number. I am going to put in a complaint- most definately. Tomorrow in fact. Do you want me to ask my sister if her single parenting payments are different based on child support or just her FTB? I am happy to do that for you.....

roses99 View Member Profile	27/02/2013, 10:47 PM Post #10
Posts: 3,055 Joined: 5-January 08
Advanced Member
No advice, but sorry to hear that your marriage has broken up. I've followed you on EB and have some knowledge of what you've been through - I hope this is a fresh start for you all and that your separation allows you the breathing space you so badly need.

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