11. CENTRELINK

Table of Contents

introduction
newstart allowance
sickness allowance
special benefit
carer payment and carer allowance
parenting payment (single)
disability support pension
youth allowance
crisis payment
common problem areas with Centrelink
further information

introduction

There are a number of different kinds of social security payments you might be eligible to apply for from Centrelink. However, you have to fulfil certain conditions in order to qualify for a social security allowance, benefit or pension.

Sometimes Centrelink might give you a hard time in the process of applying for payment. You have rights when dealing with Centrelink. These include the rights to:

lodge a claim for any social security payment you think you may be entitled to - sometimes you will be told that you're not entitled to something, but you should always test the correctness of the advice by lodging a claim - you can lose money if you don't;
receive a payment if you meet the eligibility requirements;
receive the correct amount of money under the law;
appeal against most Centrelink decisions if you don't agree with them (for instance, if they refuse to grant you a pension, or you are breached, or you have a Centrelink debt);
information about social security and to see whatever information they keep about you on your file;
be treated decently when Centrelink is interviewing you;
receive a formal letter and to have at least seven days notice if Centrelink wants you to attend an interview or provide information; and
refuse Centrelink entry to your home.

The first thing you need to do if you want to apply for a payment is to find out where your local Centrelink office is. You can look up the phone number in the White Pages under Centrelink and ask them where your local office is. Sometimes it is possible to start the claim process for a payment over the phone (as long as you lodge a written claim within a particular time afterwards). It is a good idea to know what pension or benefit you want to apply for. Ask Centrelink to tell you about the different payments. If you do not qualify for one you may qualify for another.

Here is some information about some of the payments.