Single Parenting Payment - How Much?

[CaraF20]

Im due to have my baby boy this september as a single mum. I'm currently renting, paying $540 a fortnight.

Im wondering if there are any other single mums out there who are paying around the same amount rent could give me a fair idea of how much they are getting from centrelink on the single parenting payment?

Thanks! :)

[sunnyflower]

The maximum amount of rent assistance is about 125 a ftn
The parenting payment is 500 odd dollars a ftn

Then you get tax a and b which combined is about 350 a ftn

[CaraF20]

wow great.. thanks for that :)

I had a feeling it was around that much.. but i was also nervous as i've just signed on my lease for a further 6months and would have been stuck if i couldnt afford it!!

Im due in less than 6weeks and currently on centrelink now as i've finished working, and as a casual not entitled to maternity leave =( and am only getting $460 a fortnight so have to get my parents to help me out with food and the extra amount i need for rent until hes born! But oh well i dont have that long to wait...

[RmumR]

sunnyflower has already given you the amounts but i just wanted to suggest that you might want to call centrelink up and they might be able to send you out or you could pick up the forms you will need to fill in so you can get it and all the paperwork you will need to go with it all organised so that once bubs is born you don't have to fiddle around much.

[CaraF20]

Thanks for that =)
I dont need to fill out any paperwork other than the paperwork given to me in hospital.. i am on there system with my EDD although the man i was dealing with told me he couldnt give me an estimate of how much i'd get without having to put it through the system.. which he cant do until hes born.

Although the man did tell me the minimum and maximum of each payment through the single parenting payment..
i had a feeling it would be around $900 a week considering rent and living expenses isnt cheap these days!
xx

[~*clairesmum*~]

also u will have to claim child support to get the max of one of the payments, i dont no which one it is but they will be able to tell u if u dont then u will only get the min amount

[Freya]

One week is 552 then the next week is 406 for me and that includes maximum rent assistance. There is no way I would be able to afford 540 a fortnight in rent..:no:

[Amberlea]

One week is 552 then the next week is 406 for me and that includes maximum rent assistance. There is no way I would be able to afford 540 a week in rent..:no:

Shes paying $540 a fortnight not week lol.


I pay $440 a fortnight and I have two kids so get more in FTB than you will, and I really struggled before I started working.
I could afford the basics and nothing else.
No savings, essential food only, no new clothes, shoes anything.

I guess if you only have the bare essentials you will be fine.

[Freya]

Shes paying $540 a fortnight not week lol.


I pay $440 a fortnight and I have two kids so get more in FTB than you will, and I really struggled before I started working.
I could afford the basics and nothing else.
No savings, essential food only, no new clothes, shoes anything.

I guess if you only have the bare essentials you will be fine.

Yeah I meant fortnight... :o Will edit my post lol.

[CaraF20]

Thanks ladies =)
I think if i recieve $900 or so a fortnight with child support i will be able to afford my rent of $540 a fortnight. Because thats about the amount i've always been living off, while working.. maybe $100 or so more but still its all about budgeting money i guess.

Once the rent is paid, i would have about $300 a fortnight for bills, food etc and that would be fine to live off.. just means i'd just have to watch what i spend alot more.:)