Does anyone know how long you can be separated but living together for Centrelink purposes? I kinda need to make it work for another 2 years as I’m in the middle of a uni degree and I want to keep the house we’re in for continuity for the kids but in order for him to move out and do that, I’d have to buy him out and I obviously can’t get the finance for that until I’m finished uni and start working. Would Centrelink accept that 2 years is reasonable? It is a genuine separation and there is no chance of reconciliation (we’ve been trying that for 2 years already). It is amicable so the living together part is not a huge problem (maybe a little weird but it’s what’s best in the long run financially). Anyone have any experience?
13 Replies
They wouldnt let me do it for anymore than 3 months. We were in a rental though.
It's actually really difficult to be approved for single parenting payments under the 'separated in the same home' category in the first place. Almost everyone I know who's applied for it was declined.
From my understanding though, it's definitely not given in an indefinite way.
I was on it for 9mths but did have to prove that we were actively trying to sell our house during that time and that’s why I could be on it so long. Normally they expect you to be living apart within 3 months
It’s designed to be a short term transitional payment while you sort out new living arrangements etc. staying in the same house for up to two years isn’t that.
I think even if they allowed it you are going to find yourself investigated and questioned a lot and have trouble backing up your story with evidence.
I must admit, I personally find this really offensive.
It's not meant to pay your way through uni or hold your house for you until you can afford to buy it.
Sometimes circumstances mean we don't always get what we want.
Same. Its not a home payment it's for struggling single parents. Get on it and get yourself a unit and separate. Finish uni and start work and then afford the house you want. Thats not what centrelink is for.
Kids adapt to change. They'll love you actually getting on with your lives not living in limbo. Not sure how you see that as a negative.
I don’t think SPP is supposed to support your lifestyle choices, studying, keeping your home.
As a single mum, I am one btw, if you want to study, you need to work and do it part time.
It’s just the way it is.
There’s no back stop, if you want to be a single mum, the buck stops with you to provide for your kids, it’s the reality.
Centrelink is not enough to live on, I don’t know how people survive on it.
You really need to work.
If you don't want to separate finances, you dont want to separate. Life is expensive as two individuals but guess what, its part of separating. That's what the payment is for.
Sounds like a pure rort of the system to me
I was accepted but I feel it was because of my mental health, I suffer severe panic attacks and having my ex there was the only way I could cope. If I knew he wasn’t living in the house anymore my panic attacks would start and it would be so bad that I would vomit daily, shake, hot and cold, couldn’t get out of bed and extremely weak, i also couldn’t eat so would lose weight very rapidly and quickly. I’m okay now but I think that’s why I was approved and there was no set time for him to leave.
Get a dog
Thank you! I’m glad I’m not the only one reading this reply thinking wtf!
Didn't mean to be insensitive, but pinning your mental health on one person (in particular your ex) is hugely wrong.
I'm very serious that a dog will fill that role and help you move on.