Hi there,

I'm asking this on behalf of a friend because I have no idea about how Centrelink/Family Assistance works.

Her two grandchildren have come into her care fulltime. The father is not in the picture, and the mother (her daughter) is very young and is refusing to be responsible for her own children anymore.

The daughter was studying to complete high school at TAFE and also pursuing an apprenticeship, so the kids' childcare costs (my friend works fulltime) were basically covered under something called JET I think, which my friend organised for her daughter through Centrelink. My friend is covering all other costs for the children i.e. food, housing, clothing.

However the daughter has now dropped out of TAFE and quit the apprenticeship so the JET payments have been immediately discontinued.

I'm pretty sure my friend should be eligible for childcare tax rebate, childcare tax benefit and family tax benefit part A. She is partnered (both work) and renting, but they don't have a high income.

However the sticking point seems to be how Centrelink/Family Assistance Office define children as 'being in someone's care'. My friend doesn't have anything official to say that she's the guardian/carer of these children. The daughter is completely unco-operative - won't sign anything and is uncontactable most of the time anyway. My friend doesn't have the time or money to take her daughter to court and is reluctant to do this anyway as she thinks it would destroy the relationship even further. But equally she can't afford to pay fulltime childcare for two kids without any help.

She's been into Centrelink, and has even spoken with a grandparent advisor, but they haven't been very helpful.

She is doing everything for these kids, so how can she convince the Family Assistance Office that these children are 'in her care'?

Rowena

Guide to FA Law

Hi OP, check here.

My advice is for your friend to lodge claim immediately to begin the process. If the daughter has stopped receiving JETCCFA and FTB based on no longer having custody, I would think that she might have had to provide the details of who has care of them. Not sure if this is sufficient or not but it should help as proof.

If claim not successful she should appeal the decision.

I think she needs to talk to a social worker via centerlink.

She can access multiple services via docs for this type of situation, including counselling options and playgroups (depending on the age of the children) and various other family services that will help her with attending to all the childrens needs.

If the children are out of their mothers care, they will need more support, emotionally and otherwise, this is probably the best path to take, especially since the grandmother is hoping the dd will take up care of the children again, having it all set up so the mother can use the same services would make it easier for this to happen, if it ever does.

Thank-you so much belsy for that link. If that's the definition they use, there should be no question about her having care of the children because she's been doing everything on that list for them for the past few months.

I've recommended to her that she print that page out and take it to Centrelink and lodge claims for the relevant benefits.

Rowena