Advance payment from Centrelink

[bubbles & peanut]

Hi guys

I'm eligible for an Advance Payment in April, but something happened with DP and I, and I need to move NOW. Do you think Centrelink would allow me to get the AP early? I don't owe money from the last AP. It's just that I'm a few hundred dollars short of what I need to get out.

Also, if I explain my circumstances to Centrelink, is it confidential?

If centrelink wont allow it, does anyone have any other suggestion of how I can get some money? I applied for a personal loan, but was knocked back. Does anyone know of a credit company that gives loans to people with bad credit? (stupid question, I know).

TIA

[bubbles & peanut]

Surely someone can suggest something. Please.

[Freya]

I don't think you can apply for that, but you may be eligable for some kind of crisis help. Sorry I am not much help your best bet is to ring centrelink on 136150.

Good Luck.:hugs:

[KiahsMum]

If you can't get help from centrelink then I would call the Salvation Army, they helped a friend of mine who needed to move in a hurry due to issues with her partner. They should at least be able to point you in the right direction, and I would think they keep everything confidential unless something you tell them obliges them to pass it on to the authorities.

[MumOf4Monsters]

I just spoke to my DP, he used to work for Centrink.

Yes, anything that you tell Centrelink IS confidential.
If it is you dp that you don't want any info being disclosed to, then make sure that he cannot access your info with Centrelink. (I have told Centrelink that my dh can access my info on my behalf)

DH said that they won't give you another advance until you are due to get one.
He said that the best that Centrelink can do id to give you a $100 advance of your next fortnightly payment, and that would have to be in an extreme case.

If you tell them that you are having issues and have to move away from you dp asap, they will just organise for you to stay in a womens shelter.

Sorry for being nosey (Don't answer if you don't want to) but what are you short on? Is it money to travel or to move your belongings? Is there any way that you can get around that without the extra money?

I'm sorry i don't know the names of any of the places that lend to people with bad credit, i know there are a few but honestly, i would'nt go near those places! The interest that they charge is ridiculous and it's very easy to dig yourself into a whole that you can't get out of.

I hope that everything works out for you, i really do. :hugs: If you have any more questions about Centrelink or anything else, feel free to pm me.

[punkbaby]

Depending where you are my mum manages a womens shelter and she often mentions how a few organisations will either help with moving costs, 2 weeks rent for a new place or help if you are behind in rent, they can also help pay some of your main utility bills (electricity gas etc) so you can free up whatever money you have for whatever it is you need. Are there any places like this around you? If your in Vic i can get some contacts for you from mum just let me know :)

[bubbles & peanut]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I almost have enough for the 2 weeks advance rent, I just don't have enough to move my stuff. I really don't want to drag my family into all this, but it looks like I may have to.

This whole thing is just so stressful. I mean, I know there are shelters/refuges that my kids and I can go to, but do they really deserve to live like that, even if it's only for a couple of weeks? Their father hurts me, not them. I can put up with it a bit longer.

I'm so angry with myself - I've been planning on leaving for soooo long, yet I still haven't saved enough to go through with it.

Thanks again

[Veritas]

Possibly contact department of housing???? They may be able to help with the advance rent/bond and that way you would have the money available for moving your gear......

[Tam-I-Am]

The 'shelters' aren't like they used to be, B&P - usually they're a private apartment or unit, it might not be overly big, but it'll be private - and yours for a little while. Also, if you actually do have somewhere to go, somewhere lined up, there are a few women's organisations, ie women's violence help organisations, that will help out with costs of moving.

You're also probably eligible for Victims of Crime stuff - its worth making a statement to the police when everything calms down, even if you don't want to go ahead with charges, just so there's a record of what's happened. It will help with VoC, and obtaining an intervetion order if you need one later on.

I hope you figure it out soon :hugs: Nobody deserves to be hurt or live in fear :(

[bubbles & peanut]

Possibly contact department of housing???? They may be able to help with the advance rent/bond and that way you would have the money available for moving your gear......

I have spoken to them - they can pay 3 weeks bond. So I have to pay 1 week of the bond + 2 weeks advance. I don't qualify for the 'emergency' assistance, which is the total bond and advance rent.

[Mum2Lucas]

you can always get one of those cash converters loans. they don't go on your credit rating at all. and what number do you call for the advance repayment sorry?

[Pippi Longstocking]

There is, or at least there was, a one-off crisis payment for victims of domestic violence. I think it was $500, I have never claimed it but I was aware it was there if I needed it. I have tried searching the Centrelink website and can't find it so maybe try giving them a call and asking if the payment is still available.

:hugs:It's a tough time, look after yourself. You deserve to be treated with respect and you deserve to be safe in your own home.

[grass is always greener]

Their father hurts me, not them. I can put up with it a bit longer.

You dont have to put up with it. I am sure that if you spoke to a family member that you are close to, then they will help you out, even if it is just a trailor to load your stuff, or a place to have a coffee. In the end it will be better that you told someone, that way you will at least have someone who knows your side of the events.
:hugs: i wish you and your children all the very best.

[Eggflip]

Call the Lifeline Help Line, they will be able to give you phone numbers. I would still ring centrelink and ask about crisis payments. My couin got this when she had to come to QLD she used all her money on a plane ticket - she had to come as her brother was injured in a car accident and the doctors said get family here asap as it wasnt looking good.

I also suggest telling a family member or a friend you trust. I know its hard to admit your problems but you would be suprised how many people have been through this and will understand. Domestic violence has the ability to make you feel like you cant tell anyone cos your ashamed what you have to realise is its not your fault andeveryone will see that.

You could you call the police and get him removed from the house, if your on the lease.

[MummaBear03]

:hugs:Sorry to hear you are going through a rough time!

Are you applying for an advance on the FTB or do you get some Parenting Payment as well? You can get an advance on both these payments if you are getting both.

Good luck with Centrelink and their "Crisis Payments" I was in a position last year where my employer was paying by cheque, so I'd have to report my earnings to Centrelink for the fortnight I'd worked, then the following friday I got a cheque that went in on the Monday, that bounced on the Thursday, all the while I was still working, so was due to report a second fortnight to C'link. My employer said that it's because I was knew on their system, she'd fix it up the following fortnight, but again because the cheques arrived to us a week after our fortnight ended, and it was another week before I put it into the bank and it came back dishonoured, I still had to report to C'link. I didn't work there long of course, left after the 3rd bounced cheque, well after the second bounced cheque I left but by that time was due for a third which also was dishonoured. I had a nil amount from centrelink due to my earnings and a nil amount from work due to the cheques bouncing.

Everyone I worked with were in the same boat but I didn't say anything after the first one, just rang the boss directly to speak with her, after the second I spoke to the person running the place I worked who said that she was in the same boat, she started when I did and thought it was just her too so we spoke to other staff who admitted they'd had trouble from time to time but not every fortnight.

Anyway, Centrelink said that based on that information I was not allegable for any extra payments and had to continue reporting my earnings whether it was paid or not :eek: If I didn't it was a jailable offence!!!

I got behind in rent, behind on all my bills, had no food, and had to approach the Salvation Army for a food voucher :o which is the only time I've ever done that. That $50 voucher had to last us the whole time I had no money coming in. I was getting the $190/fortnight in FTB and had to get the FTB advance (which was really to cover car insurance) just so I could pay the rent! So good luck proving you need a crisis payment

I took in bank statements to c'link along with payslips to show the cheques going in and the cheques being dishonoured and just how much money we were getting to live off each fortnight without the centrelink as backup and they said "Sorry, you must report what's on your payslip" so that was probably the most stressful time of my life. I worked there for about 6 weeks total but knew after week 5 when the second cheque bounced that I had to leave. I left at the end of week 6 and walked into another job. If that's not a crisis, what is???

We were at risk of being kicked out of the house through not paying rent, I had to borrow money from someone to put some fuel in the car to get to my new job as I had none in the car at that time and would have missed the first week of work at the new job had I not been able to borrow $20. Luckily at that time I didn't have car payments like I have now.