Understanding Benefits: Pensioner Education Supplement

The Pensioner Education Supplement is a fortnightly payment designed to assist people to improve their chances of finding a job through study.

Who can get it?

You may qualify for the Pensioner Education Supplement if you are studying and receiving a certain Centrelink payments such as parenting payment (single), carer payment, disability support pension, widow pension, or sole parent on special benefit.

How much study do I need to do?

To receive Pensioner Education Supplement, you must be enrolled in and undertaking an approved course of secondary or tertiary study.

To qualify for the part rate of payment (that is the payment you would receive if you were considered to be a part-time student) you must be undertaking at least 25 per cent of the normal full-time study load for your course.

To receive the full rate of payment (that is the payment you would receive if you were considered a full-time student) you must be studying full-time—that is, at least 75 per cent of the full-time study load or qualify for the 66 per cent study load concession.

How much is it?

Pensioner Education Supplement is paid at two rates. How much you receive depends on your study load and the payment you are on from Centrelink or Veterans Affairs. The maximum payment rate is $62.40 per fortnight or $31.20 at the part-time rate.

You may also be able to receive an Education Entry Payment. This is a one-off payment of $208 to help you with the up-front costs of taking up study.

Pensioner Education Supplement is NOT taxed and is paid over holidays so long as you continue with your studies.

How do I get it?

When you claim Pensioner Education Supplement, you will need to show Centrelink proof from the institution where you are going to study that you are enrolled as a student such as your student number, the name and details of your course, etc. Usually you will get paid when your studies start. Your claim must be lodged:

- before 31 March (for semester one) for full-year study, or
- before 31 July (for semester two) for full-year study, or
- within four weeks of either commencing study or otherwise becoming qualified for Pensioner Education Supplement.

To find out more or to apply for the Pensioner Education Supplement you should contact yor local Centrelink office. After you first contact Centrelink, you usually have 14 days to put in your claim.

Understanding Benefits: Maternity Payment

This will be the first in a series of posts outlining the various Centrelink and Family Assistance payments.

What is the Maternity Payment?

Maternity Payment is a one-off amount paid to families following the birth (including stillborn) or adoption of a baby. The payment replaces the former Maternity Allowance and the ATO's Baby Bonus. The Maternity Payment is not income tested and is given to help out with those initial expenses after the addition of a new child.

How much is it?

Maternity Payment is a one-off payment of $4,133 for each child and is usually paid as a lump sum. If the recipient is under 17 years, the payment will probably be staggered over a period of 13 weeks. The amount is payable for each child in a multiple birth (that's $8,266 for twins). Changes in care during the 13 weeks eligibility period could result in the payment being apportioned between two carers.

Does it affect tax or benefits?

The good news is that Maternity Payment is not taxable income and it is not considered income for Family Assistance or Social Security purposes either.

How do I get it?

More than likely, the hospital will send you home with a claim form aswell as your new bundle of joy. If that is not the case, you can claim online using online services or call 13 6150 to have a claim form sent out to you.

You must apply for Maternity Payment within 26 weeks of the birth of your own child. Application requirements for adoptions can differ slightly so it is best to check this first with the Family Assistance Office.

No Time for the Centrelink Queue: Register for Family Assistance Online

If you haven't yet discovered Online Services at the Family Assistance site, it is well worth the effort to register. Save yourself the time and frustration of queuing up at Centrelink for simple matters.

After a secure login, you are able to view and update your information aswell as access payment history, apply for certain benefits and view the important correspondence your dog ate.

Registering is relatively simple and you only have to do it the one time. Goodness knows, it has to be less painful than standing in a line trailing out the door for 2 hours just to notify a stressed-out public servant that your child has changed preschools!

Check out the Family Assistance site to get the ball rolling. I promise you'll be glad you did.