Hi, an uncomfortable question, I'm seeing a solicitor as I am looking at going through a potential divorce (which will be messy). My wife earns all the money as I have been a stay at home Dad. Assuming I get little to nothing from the settlement, what centrelink benefits would be available to me. My kids are aged 8 and 14.
Top answer provided by:
Glenn Malkiewicz
Without knowing the full situation, it’s hard to provide an accurate assessment, however I will work with what I have. Some assumptions have been applied. The first assumption is around the majority custody of the two children. Given you are a stay at home dad, I’ve assumed you are the majority care giver.
The first payments you will likely receive is the Family Tax Benefit (FTB) Part A & B. In order to be eligible you must care for the kids at least 35% of the time and you must take all reasonable steps to obtain child support from your potential ex-wife. The benefits are income tested with the maximum amount received for the 8 year old to be $182.84 per fortnight and $237.86 per fortnight for the 14 year old.
You also may be eligible for the annual Part A supplement of $726.35 per child.
The FTB Part B will also provide you with an additional $108.64 per fortnight with an annual supplement of $354.05.
Should you be looking for work you may also qualify for Newstart Allowance which may also provide you with a maximum amount of $570.80 per fortnight. For every dollar earnt between $102 and $252 per fortnight, the payment will reduce by 50 cents per fortnight. Any income above $252 per fortnight will reduce the payment by 60 cents in the dollar. You can earn up to $1,554.75 before you are no longer eligible for this payment.
If you do qualify for Newstart, it will also open up both the Telephone Allowance and rent assistance (should you be renting).
Other payments that may be payable to you include the Child Dental Benefit which will pay for dental bills (not orthodontic or cosmetic) of up to $1,000 per child over 2 years, and if you choose some before and/or after school care the child care rebate and child care benefit will help subsidise the cost.
There are potentially a number of Centrelink benefits available to you and it would be wise to speak to an adviser or Centrelink to get a full understanding of your entitlements.
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Comments6
"there should also be a legal aid handbook and a plain law guide in the library or online. pl check the family law guides. see if you can get a free initial consultation. and also see if you can fund your lawyer. there is usually a split of assets if you could be seen to have some input into helping her earn it and the courts are sympathetic to a wider connection to earnings."
anonysubscribe 19:46 on 02 Oct 16
"The court might look at the welfare of the children and also look at the contribution you made to enabling your wife to earn her income by being a stay at home dad I think. so you may also get a share of her assets and income? you may get some free advice from a chamber magistrate I think. It would be best to also seek a divorce lawyer's help to get a fair settlement. "
anonysubscribe 19:41 on 02 Oct 16
"good luck Craig."
anon 16:37 on 30 Sep 16
"Thanks Glenn, tough to think about these things, really appreciate the advice. I'm contemplating divorce and really worried about my financial options."
Cath 16:25 on 30 Sep 16
"Not much to live on if your the primary care giver and nor working"
Jarrod 16:14 on 30 Sep 16
"Where's the thumbs up emoji - this is sound advice, and I back it up 100%"
Peter F 16:00 on 30 Sep 16