Understanding What Centrelink Can Do For You

Centrelink is a program administered by the Australian government that is designed to help Aussies adjust to various times of change that occur during their life. Assistance can include payment options as well as access to specific services designed to support individuals and families during times of need.

The range of available payments and services is vast, though most can be broken down into a handful of major categories. To help you understand what Centrelink can do for you in times of transition, here is an overview based on differing individual or household circumstances.

Families

Raising a family with a low income is a challenge. To help offset the burden of certain expenses, the Australian government provides access to a range of payments and services based on specific qualifications.

Many of the payments focus on relieving some of the costs associated with raising children as well as managing certain health issues. Support is available for parents who have recently had a child or completed adoption proceedings, as well as for services like child care, education, and health care.

Qualifying for care often hinges on the current income level of the family, as well as certain factors that increase expenses or lower income earning potential, such as acting as a full-time carer for a child with certain medical conditions. Popular family based benefits include parenting payment, school kids bonus and other benefits can be found via the Centrelink calculator.

Pensioners

Older Australians also have access to benefits through Centrelink. This includes age pensions, health care services, chronic medical condition assistance, and carer payments. Just like services for families, pensioners must meet certain criteria to be considered eligible for assistance.

In some cases, the primary determination regarding eligibility is simply the person’s age and their residency. However, other factors may affect the level of assistance provided, such as income generated from continued employment and currently held assets.

Benefits can be provided in a variety of forms including payments, low-cost services, medicare, and concession cards.

Students and Apprentices

Financial support is also available for qualified students and apprentices actively pursuing their educational goals. Payments are designed to alleviate some financial strain to help applicable individuals complete their studies and become productive members of society.

Different programs and allowances are available depending on each person’s unique circumstances. For example, the Austudy program focuses on full-time students or apprentices aged 25 and older, while the Youth Allowance provides similar assistance to those between the ages of 16 and 24.

Other benefits can help offset costs associated with travel expenses when studying away from a permanent residence, child care costs for students who are also parents, and scholarships to lower the out-of-pocket expenses related to obtaining an education. Assisting the youth is an important  benefit as it helps to reduce the serious issue of youth unemployment.

Individuals with Disabilities

Support is also provided to individuals with disabilities. This includes access to payments or pensions, sickness or mobility allowances, and education supplements. Health care options are also available, as well as assistance for adults caring for an eligible child with disabilities.

Additional community support may also be available, including assistance in locating suitable employment or for finding suitable emotional support to help promote general wellbeing.

Additional Services

Ultimately, the potential support one can find through Centrelink is vast. Individuals may qualify for assistance based on being a part of other categories including indigenous Australians, rural and remote Australians, job seekers, and visa holders.

Since qualifying for assistance is contingent on your unique situation, it is important to explore the options personally to determine whether you may be eligible through the available programs. If you have additional questions, you can contact Centrelink for more in-depth information.

In addition to the above, there is also other government, corporate and non-profit financial assistance options to help with immediate cash flow issues or emergencies. Money assistance can come in the form of subsidies, loans or cash advances.