Unpaid Maternity Leave

[Miaow]

Hi

I'm hoping someone here can help with this question.

My employer doesnt have paid maternity leave and so I would be taking 6 months of unpaid maternity leave. I rent & live by myself and my boyfriend has his own place.

I won't have any income while on unpaid leave of course so will I applicable for a parenting benefit while on this 6 months leave as I won't have any other income?

I had a quick look around on the net earlier today but couldnt really seem to find too much info (though didnt have too much time to do this at lunch) at the time

Just wondering what what peoples experiences are with this?

Any info would be greatly appreciated :)

[BlueGin]

Hi Cathyn, I happened to be reading up on this today too :)
If you go to Centrelinks homepage, click individuals in the list at the top of the page, then parents./guardians you will get a list of possible payments.
Each one you click will have a hotlink to the income test (this shouldn't be a problem as you will effectively be unemployed income wise).
There is Family Tax Benefit Part A and Part B, you should be eligible for at least PartA. Then there is one for child care, also rent assistance in some cases.
Anyhoo, have a look at the site, and let me know if you have any trouble finding any of the things I have described, all in all I think you could probably expect at least $200 a fortnight, not a great deal, but hopefully the baby bonus of $3000 should also help :)

[Miaow]

Thanks for the info:)

Ended up ringing centerlink and it doesnt sound too complicated (i hope) - basically once stop work (from 6 weeks prior birth ) you ring them day after finish and with letter from doc stating confinement etc make appointment to register with them for payments similar newstart which is income tested ( was getting real worried since would have no income while on the maternity leave and rent/bills etc and baby...) this goes until 6 weeks after birth until either go to single parent pension or stay on newstart ..

[BlueGin]

glad to know it i working out :)