Vax and 18mth maternity allowance

[annsam]

Hi

I got a letter from the govt yesterday saying that because my son is past 18 months I get a maternity allowance I think they called it but only if I have his immunisation record fully up to date.

My son is not up to date on his vax but that is due to health reasons at present so Im not anti-vax but it still sounds to me like discrimination especially in a country where vaxing is not compulsary. Is it just me or do others see an issue with this? It really got my back up.

[Sarie]

I actually have issues with people who are anti vax and still get the allowence. The money is meant to help pay for the immunisations. Once your little one is fully vaxed then you will get the money, I'm sure if you had any problems and you called centrelink and explained the situation, ie that he's been sick. Once he is fully vaxxed you'll get the money.

[Jax Tellers Old Lady]

i agree with there policy as it does encourage parents to vax there kids i am a pro vaxer and will never understand why people are anti vax. I think centrelink would be understanding and when you are all up to daye i woud say you will be paid.

[annsam]

Thanks for your replies. I didn't realise it is to help pay for vax's, the letter didn't state this but that does put a different twist on it.

It just seemed a little like blackmail to me in that you dont have to have children vaxed but if you dont then you loose. I dont need the money at this present point in time but I know a lot of people do and would feel they had no choice regardless of personal beliefs. Knowing what its for though as I said, does change my view but I wish they would put this in the letter you know?

[the_queen]

It's not to pay for vaccinations.

It's an extension of the Maternity Allowance, and it's designed to "force" lazy parents to get off their **** and do something about vaccinations.

Here are the criteria for receiving the payment:

http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/payments/qual_how_mia.htm


Who can get Maternity Immunisation Allowance?

You may get Maternity Immunisation Allowance if:

* your child is fully immunised between 18 and 24 months, or
* your child is on a recognised immunisation catch up schedule, or
* your child has an approved exemption from being immunised, or
* your child is stillborn or dies before 24 months, and
* you claim on or before your child's second birthday.

You may get an approved immunisation exemption for your child if you have a conscientious objection to immunisation or if there are medical reasons why your child should not be immunised. Please talk to the Family Assistance Office at Centrelink if this applies to you.

If you've gone to a doctor to get a CO form signed, then you are eligible to receive the payment.

[Sarie]

To be completely hpnest I don't believe that people who chose not to vax should be entitled to the money at all.
The vax allowence should really only go to those who vax, you would think that was what it was for... just my opinion.

[shed]

I am selective-vax, which makes me anti-vax in some people's eyes, and as far as I am concerned the government can keep their money if they are going to do this. I will vax if and when I choose and you should do the same.

[p4purple]

To be completely hpnest I don't believe that people who chose not to vax should be entitled to the money at all.
The vax allowence should really only go to those who vax, you would think that was what it was for... just my opinion.

Vaccinations in this country are free....It is part of the Immunise Australia Program. The gov't with hold $200 of the maternity allowance as a form of coercion to incourage or bribe you to get your child vax'd and call it an immunisation allowance. If you get a conscientious objection form signed your are by law eligible (therefore intitled) to the $200 maternity payment. No government official can tell you other wise.

Info from the book Well Adjusted Babies by Dr Jennifer Barham Floreani.

Consider that those who do not traditionally vaccinate may pay money for alternative treatments such as homeopathy.

Thanks for that centrelink URL The_Queen!

[FourAngelKisses]

I don't agree with homeopathic immunisation. A simple google search will tell you that it doesn't work.
It is called the Maternity IMMUNISATION payment for a reason too.

[annsam]

I don't agree with homeopathic immunisation. A simple google search will tell you that it doesn't work.
It is called the Maternity IMMUNISATION payment for a reason too.

Actually, on the letter I received, there was no mention of immunisation in the title of the benefit.

[FourAngelKisses]

This is from their website.


How much Maternity Immunisation Allowance do I get?
This payment rate is effective from 1 July 2006. Maternity Immunisation Allowance is a non-taxable lump sum payment. It is usually paid with the next instalment of Family Tax Benefit where Family Tax Benefit is paid fortnightly and not through the tax system.

This payment is not subject to an income test.
This payment is not subject to an assets test.

Maternity Immunisation Allowance


$222.30 (lump sum payment)

[Sarie]

Thanks for that angel_kisses9798!

[annsam]

That may be what the website says but the letter is titled "18mth payment - maternity allowance entitlement", no figure is mentioned and all the body says is that there is a payout entitlement if the immunisation record is up to date. If it had mentioned immunisation in the title, Im sure i would have been able to piece together the purpose of it rather than just viewing it as a form of coersion in a matter that is supposed to be freedom of choice.

Thanks for all the information. Still dont agree with bribing parents to vax but I do understand the purpose of the payout now at least.

[FourAngelKisses]

Oh okay, all the letters I got from them at Chrissy time for Matthew had maternity immunisation payment written on them.

[p4purple]

No matter what it is called...it is still a form of bribery

[FourAngelKisses]

I don't think it's bribery, I think it's just a way of making sure all kids get immunised so that no one dies.

[the_queen]

It's a way of ensuring everybody does something about vaccinations - whether it's having them done, or doing your research and getting a CO form signed.
Unfortunately there are lazy parents out there who wouldn't keep up with vaccinations until they get a letter from Centrelink saying "we'll give you $200 if you get the vax's up to date".

[p4purple]

I don't agree with homeopathic immunisation. A simple google search will tell you that it doesn't work.
It is called the Maternity IMMUNISATION payment for a reason too.

I am sure that alot of info does come up on Google or any search engine that is anti-homeopathy. URLs also come us that are for it:http://thinktwice.com/nosodes.htm

I am not saying that it is the only solution but many factors can strengthen or weaken and individuals immunity.

I agree with Shed....we have the right as parents to vax, to selectively vax or to not vax. The government can keep their money if they want to bribe me.

What withholding this maternity payment is all about is giving parents a financial incentive to not be lazy either way....To go get their child vaccinateded or to get a CO form signed but to at least do something and not be complacent or lazy.

[p4purple]

I don't think it's bribery, I think it's just a way of making sure all kids get immunised so that no one dies.

Yeah maybe me using the word bribery was too strong. The payment is a financial incentive to do some thing. Angel_kisses children who are immunised can still contract the disease that they are immunised from and can be injured or dies from the effects of vaccinations. Either way it is a personal parental choice.