Cindy has three children who are triplets aged five years. She has just separated from her partner, the children’s father. She is living in private rental housing.  Her partner handled all the family finances and she has no idea what her Centrelink entitlements might be.  One of the children has profound developmental delay, cannot walk or toilet himself, and has to be fed through a tube. Two of the children have attended childcare two days a week.  Cindy’s husband will be paying her maintenance of $150 per fortnight.

What may be Cindy’s entitlements?

Cindy may be eligible for:

  • Parenting Payment (Single)

  • Family Tax Benefit A (with Multiple Birth Allowance and Large Family Supplement) and Family Tax Benefit B

  • Carer Allowance

  • Child Care Benefit

  • Rent Allowance.

Once the children turn six, the Multiple Birth Allowance will cease, and she will have some Participation requirements.  Since it is likely that her son has such high care needs that she won’t be able to work, Cindy could apply for Carer Payment, which can continue, without participation requirements, after her children turn eight.