CentrelinkCentrelink (formerly the Department of Social Security (DSS)) is the Australian Commonwealth government's welfare agency. It is the central body responsible for the dispensation of all Commonwealth welfare payments including pensions, student allowances, and unemployment benefits (the 'dole'). Additionally, Centrelink supplies numerous Commonwealth services to the Australian Community, such as assistance and education for people receiving welfare payments. It claims to offer 140 different products and services, which it supplies to around one third of Australian citizens. Centrelink operates under the Commonwealth Services Delivery Agency Act 1997. There have been numerous complaints about the quality of Centrelink services, and scandals surrounding fraud and abuse of the welfare payment system, competency of staff, and quality of governmental employment conditions. The structure of student payments under Youth Allowance is notable in that full-time students between the ages of 21-25 are actually paid considerably less then they would be as unemployed Newstart Allowance recipients, thereby making studying more difficult for young people. Centrelink payments
Income supportMost are payable on a fortnightly basis, although some small allowances (e.g. Telephone Allowance only for people on Pensions) are paid on a quarterly or other basis. In addition, lump sum crisis payments are payable in certain situations, such as release from prison, discharge from a psychiatric institution, or having to leave home due to domestic violence. Family Tax Benefit Parts A and B are administered by the Family Assistance Office within Centrelink. It is payable to low income earners either as a payment or through a tax reduction. The FAO also administers the "baby bonus". Age pensionThe Age pension was the first payment issued from the Commonwealth Government and dates back to 1909. It is available to men aged 65 years and over. The age for women to become eligible is being progressively phased upward from 60 to 65 years, in line with males. Women currently becoming eligible for Age pension is 63 years old. Unlike pension payments of many other countries, workers do not contribute to a pension or insurance within Australia, and the payment is available subject to means testing. This ensures that only those that require assistance receive it. Newstart AllowanceUnder the coalition policy of mutual obligation the body has undergone a series of major changes, placing greater restrictions and conditions on recipients. Penalties were increased for breaches, a strict job search diary was introduced and the Work for the Dole program began. Other benefits such as sickness and disability payments were affected with similar economic rationing. For recipients of unemployment benefits, called Newstart Allowance, the service provision and conditions are constantly altered. The so-called "Employment Sector" continues to be generously subsidised. Most of the changes are related to the outsourcing of job search services to private job network providers, including some religious organisations and charities, for direct assistance. This network of providers covers the country and is designed to provide unemployed people with numerous benefits such a training workshops, photocopying, internet access, printers, fares assistance and reimbursements for uniform or clothing that may be required on the job. Centrelink provides many services for the unemployed at Job Search including job listings, résumé building and other information distribution to clients. Youth AllowanceYouth Allowance is an alternative to Newstart tailored specifically to young Australians in full-time study, an apprenticeship, or actively looking for employment. 'Youth' is defined as 16-25 for full-time students, or 16-21 for job seekers. The payment is only available to dependents of low-income earners or young people 'independent' of their families. As eligibility is based on parent's income or independence from parents, there is an assumption that parents of 16-24 year old students or under 21 year old job seekers will support their children. In cases where young people are deemed independent (eg on the basis of their own past income, or unreasonable to live at home), they are provided with Newstart as per other recipients. Youth Allowance was introduced from July 1998 and replaced previous unemployment and study benefits for those under 25. AustudyAustudy was originally an all-ages study allowance, but since the introduction of Youth Allowance (see above) it has been reserved for the over 25s. To qualify, one must be an Australian resident, over 25, and studying full time at an approved education institution. However, students who were receiving Youth Allowance prior to turning 25 and are still pursuing the same course of study continue to receive Youth Allowance until they finish (or otherwise terminate) their course. Like most Centrelink payments, Austudy is subject to an income test. The major differences between the Austudy payment and Youth Allowance payment is that the rate does not vary based on 'living at home'; and that Austudy recipients are not eligible for rent assistance. AbstudyAbstudy is a welfare payment for Indigenous Australians undergoing some form of study. All Indigenous students at secondary or tertairy institutions, as well as those studying by correspondence, and primary students who turned 14 prior to January 1 of their current year of study. To qualify as Indigenous, a student must be of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent by Centrelink standards and be a current Australian citizen. Abstudy is tailored according to income tests, and the status of partners, guardians, and dependents. Disability Support PensionProvides income support for people who suffer a long-term disability, which in the opinion of a medical professional they will not recover from in the next two years, and which will render themselves unable to support themselves. It is more than you get on Newstart, and is income and assets-tested. However, if you are permanently blind, you can receive DSP without income and assets tests, and without needing to prove any inability to work, etc. DSP can take a while to process, so as a temporary measure claimants are placed on another payment (e.g. Newstart with a medical certificate to cover the activity tests) while the payment is being assessed; once granted it is backdated to the claim date at the higher DSP rate. Sickness AllowanceA payment for those receiving another payment, and currently suffering an illness. Carer PaymentA payment for those providing full time care to someone who is ill, injured or has a disability. Parenting PaymentA payment for those providing full time care to their own children Additional and Supplementary PaymentsRent AssistanceIncome support recipients who are classed as non-homeowners and pay more than a required amount of board or rent for accommodation are eligble for Rent Assistance payments. This payment is paid as part of the income support payment. Verification of the rent details are required either a lease or by completing a Rent Certificate every six months. Pharmaceutical AllowanceA small payment for those receiving another payment, to help cover the cost of prescription medicines. Telephone AllowanceA very small payment for those receiving Pension payments only, to help cover the cost of telephone bills. Pensioner Education SupplementAn additional payment, for those on a disability pension who are studying, to help cover the cost of study. It only applies to approved courses of study. Bachelor's degrees and many TAFE courses are approved courses of study. However, Masters and Doctorate degrees are not approved. You are still eligible for PES for study even if you have completed previous studies. However, no one who has been awarded a Masters or Doctorate is eligible for PES. Concession cardsThe following concession cards are issued by Centrelink:
Prisons and psychiatric hospitalsIf you are imprisoned or admitted to a psychiatric institution, you are not eligible to receive your benefits for the duration of your imprisonment or admission. (However, it may be payable if a psychiatric stay is classed as rehabilitation.) The benefits resume upon release or discharge. However, upon release or discharge from imprisonment or psychiatric hospitalisation of more than two weeks, the claimant is entitled to an additional payment equal to seven days of their regular payment, to help with adjustment. Centrelink's ITCentrelink operates one of the largest and highest throughput OLTP database systems in Australia, and is one of the largest users in Australia of Model 204. Motivation for serious crimeIn 1999, when the Snowtown murders, also known as the "bodies in the barrel" case was first brought to public attention, it was discovered that many of the people murdered had continued to collect their Centrelink pensions or unemployment cheques for years after their murders, and hence were not declared dead. It was hypothetised that one of the main motivations for the murders was to take their pension cheques and hence increase their income. Alternatively, it was suggested that the pension cheques were used as a way to get away with the murder, by them not being declared as dead. This page about centrelink includes information from a Wikipedia article. Additional articles about centrelink News stories about centrelink External links for centrelink Videos for centrelink Wikis about centrelink Discussion Groups about centrelink Blogs about centrelink Images of centrelink |
|
Alternatively, it was suggested that the pension cheques were used as a way to get away with the murder, by them not being declared as dead. According to Ryan Gee's message board, he is currently engaged to Missy Rothstein. It was hypothetised that one of the main motivations for the murders was to take their pension cheques and hence increase their income. The video clip was immediately (and continues to be) widely circulated on the Internet. In 1999, when the Snowtown murders, also known as the "bodies in the barrel" case was first brought to public attention, it was discovered that many of the people murdered had continued to collect their Centrelink pensions or unemployment cheques for years after their murders, and hence were not declared dead. The first 5,000 DVD copies of CKY4 contained a hidden Easter Egg - a two-minute video clip of Bam and his then-girlfriend, Jenn Rivell, having sex. Centrelink operates one of the largest and highest throughput OLTP database systems in Australia, and is one of the largest users in Australia of Model 204. Since the end of filming on Viva La Bam, Bam has replaced the red H2 with a blue H2. However, upon release or discharge from imprisonment or psychiatric hospitalisation of more than two weeks, the claimant is entitled to an additional payment equal to seven days of their regular payment, to help with adjustment. Bam bragged that his was the only vehicle of its kind with a sunroof. (However, it may be payable if a psychiatric stay is classed as rehabilitation.) The benefits resume upon release or discharge. The Lamborghini has been modified with help from friend Billy Idol to include a sunroof (a rough rectangle crudely cut with a jigsaw). If you are imprisoned or admitted to a psychiatric institution, you are not eligible to receive your benefits for the duration of your imprisonment or admission. A recent episode however showed the destruction of the H2 by Don Vito as revenge for constant torment. The following concession cards are issued by Centrelink:. Current episodes of Margera's show have shown him to own both a red 2003 Hummer H2 as well as a purple Lamborghini Gallardo and a Mercedes-Benz S55 AMG with a heartagram on the front instead of the mercedes-benz logo. However, no one who has been awarded a Masters or Doctorate is eligible for PES. The Dream Seller is a nickname for long-time friend and fellow skater Brandon Novak. You are still eligible for PES for study even if you have completed previous studies. He announced another film he is working on called The Dream Seller. However, Masters and Doctorate degrees are not approved. Margera is currently writing, producing, and directing his new feature film, a sequel to Haggard, titled Kiss a Good Man's Ass. Bachelor's degrees and many TAFE courses are approved courses of study. Bam has even had himself tattooed with the heartagram. It only applies to approved courses of study. A fan of, friend of, and occasional video director for HIM's frontman, Ville Valo, Margera has licensed the band's logo, the heartagram (a pentagram with two points curved to incorporate a heart symbol), for personal use. An additional payment, for those on a disability pension who are studying, to help cover the cost of study. A 2006 sequel entitled Return to Sleepaway Camp will feature the CKY band members in cameo roles as camp counselors. A very small payment for those receiving Pension payments only, to help cover the cost of telephone bills. "CKY" stands for "Camp Kill Yourself", a reference to the movie Sleepaway Camp (1983), a favourite of CKY band frontman Deron Miller. A small payment for those receiving another payment, to help cover the cost of prescription medicines. When he was younger he would run into walls and be crazy, and his grandfather would say "Bam, bam, bam, chill out! Bam!" The name stuck, and soon everyone was calling him Bam, even his teachers. Verification of the rent details are required either a lease or by completing a Rent Certificate every six months. Bam got his name from his grandfather. This payment is paid as part of the income support payment. In fact, he is featured as a main character in Tony Hawk's Underground (1 and 2). Income support recipients who are classed as non-homeowners and pay more than a required amount of board or rent for accommodation are eligble for Rent Assistance payments. He has also been animated as a character into a number of pro-skateboarder Tony Hawk's video games. A payment for those providing full time care to their own children. In the DVD comentary for the seasons 4&5 of Viva La Bam, Margera has said that Element Skateboards pays him two million dollars a year, just for wearing their clothing. A payment for those providing full time care to someone who is ill, injured or has a disability. (The real LAPD SWAT team helped with this prank). A payment for those receiving another payment, and currently suffering an illness. Ashton Kutcher trapped Margera and his friend inside of a convenience store while staging a terrorist attack. Newstart with a medical certificate to cover the activity tests) while the payment is being assessed; once granted it is backdated to the claim date at the higher DSP rate. Margera also appeared on Punk'd, in 2005. DSP can take a while to process, so as a temporary measure claimants are placed on another payment (e.g. Margera also has a small speaking part in the skateboarding movie "Grind". However, if you are permanently blind, you can receive DSP without income and assets tests, and without needing to prove any inability to work, etc. Margera directed and co-wrote (with Brandon DiCamillo and Chris Aspite) a low-budget independent film called Haggard, starring himself and his friends, released in 2003. It is more than you get on Newstart, and is income and assets-tested. He became the 13th known skater to land it, and was the first street skater to successfully land it. Provides income support for people who suffer a long-term disability, which in the opinion of a medical professional they will not recover from in the next two years, and which will render themselves unable to support themselves. As a professional skater in the summer of 2005, Margera successfully landed The Loop in Phoenix, Arizona. Abstudy is tailored according to income tests, and the status of partners, guardians, and dependents. Before becoming a professional skateboarder, he could be found frequenting the local skate spots, performing at area fairgrounds, and loitering at Fairman's skate shop. To qualify as Indigenous, a student must be of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent by Centrelink standards and be a current Australian citizen. Margera was born and raised in West Chester, Pennsylvania, a western suburb of Philadelphia. All Indigenous students at secondary or tertairy institutions, as well as those studying by correspondence, and primary students who turned 14 prior to January 1 of their current year of study. Margera's television antics push the generally accepted boundaries of good taste by seeking to shock and offend, thereby creating a large contingent of detractors who charge that he profits from the humiliation and misfortune of others. Abstudy is a welfare payment for Indigenous Australians undergoing some form of study. His videos and television shows often include his long-suffering parents, Phil and April, his uncle Vincent Margera ("Don Vito"), and ex-fiancée Jenn Rivell (Margera broke off his engagement to Rivell in early 2005). The major differences between the Austudy payment and Youth Allowance payment is that the rate does not vary based on 'living at home'; and that Austudy recipients are not eligible for rent assistance. Margera's crew includes Ryan Dunn, Brandon DiCamillo, Rake Yohn, Raab Himself, and Brandon Novak. Like most Centrelink payments, Austudy is subject to an income test. Brandon Cole "Bam" Margera made his own skate videos known as the CKY quadrilogy, which is also the name of his brother Jess's heavy metal band (see CKY band). However, students who were receiving Youth Allowance prior to turning 25 and are still pursuing the same course of study continue to receive Youth Allowance until they finish (or otherwise terminate) their course. His weekly Sirius Radio show is called Radio Bam. To qualify, one must be an Australian resident, over 25, and studying full time at an approved education institution. He cites Raab Himself as his only reason for attending high school, and dropped out after Raab got expelled. Austudy was originally an all-ages study allowance, but since the introduction of Youth Allowance (see above) it has been reserved for the over 25s. He grew up in West Chester, Pennsylvania and went to East High School. Youth Allowance was introduced from July 1998 and replaced previous unemployment and study benefits for those under 25. He is also the star of Viva La Bam, and member of the Jackass crew, two shows broadcast by MTV. In cases where young people are deemed independent (eg on the basis of their own past income, or unreasonable to live at home), they are provided with Newstart as per other recipients. Brandon Cole "Bam" Margera (born September 28, 1979) is a professional skateboarder, creator of the "CKY" skate / prank / stunt videos, and radio personality. As eligibility is based on parent's income or independence from parents, there is an assumption that parents of 16-24 year old students or under 21 year old job seekers will support their children. CKY Landspeed - 1999. The payment is only available to dependents of low-income earners or young people 'independent' of their families. CKY2K - 2000. 'Youth' is defined as 16-25 for full-time students, or 16-21 for job seekers. CKY3 2001. Youth Allowance is an alternative to Newstart tailored specifically to young Australians in full-time study, an apprenticeship, or actively looking for employment. CKY4 - Latest and Greatest 2002. Centrelink provides many services for the unemployed at Job Search including job listings, résumé building and other information distribution to clients. Jackass 2 2006. This network of providers covers the country and is designed to provide unemployed people with numerous benefits such a training workshops, photocopying, internet access, printers, fares assistance and reimbursements for uniform or clothing that may be required on the job. Grind 2003. Most of the changes are related to the outsourcing of job search services to private job network providers, including some religious organisations and charities, for direct assistance. Haggard: The Movie 2003. The so-called "Employment Sector" continues to be generously subsidised. Jackass: The Movie 2003. For recipients of unemployment benefits, called Newstart Allowance, the service provision and conditions are constantly altered. Other benefits such as sickness and disability payments were affected with similar economic rationing. Penalties were increased for breaches, a strict job search diary was introduced and the Work for the Dole program began. Under the coalition policy of mutual obligation the body has undergone a series of major changes, placing greater restrictions and conditions on recipients. This ensures that only those that require assistance receive it. Unlike pension payments of many other countries, workers do not contribute to a pension or insurance within Australia, and the payment is available subject to means testing. Women currently becoming eligible for Age pension is 63 years old. The age for women to become eligible is being progressively phased upward from 60 to 65 years, in line with males. It is available to men aged 65 years and over. The Age pension was the first payment issued from the Commonwealth Government and dates back to 1909. The FAO also administers the "baby bonus". It is payable to low income earners either as a payment or through a tax reduction. Family Tax Benefit Parts A and B are administered by the Family Assistance Office within Centrelink. In addition, lump sum crisis payments are payable in certain situations, such as release from prison, discharge from a psychiatric institution, or having to leave home due to domestic violence. Telephone Allowance only for people on Pensions) are paid on a quarterly or other basis. Most are payable on a fortnightly basis, although some small allowances (e.g. . The structure of student payments under Youth Allowance is notable in that full-time students between the ages of 21-25 are actually paid considerably less then they would be as unemployed Newstart Allowance recipients, thereby making studying more difficult for young people. There have been numerous complaints about the quality of Centrelink services, and scandals surrounding fraud and abuse of the welfare payment system, competency of staff, and quality of governmental employment conditions. Centrelink operates under the Commonwealth Services Delivery Agency Act 1997. It claims to offer 140 different products and services, which it supplies to around one third of Australian citizens. Additionally, Centrelink supplies numerous Commonwealth services to the Australian Community, such as assistance and education for people receiving welfare payments. It is the central body responsible for the dispensation of all Commonwealth welfare payments including pensions, student allowances, and unemployment benefits (the 'dole'). Centrelink (formerly the Department of Social Security (DSS)) is the Australian Commonwealth government's welfare agency. Pensioner Concession Card - this offers additional benefits to the HCC, including pensioner transportation fares (in some areas), and a certain number of free country rail journeys within the holder's state. Commonwealth Seniors Health Card- a HCC issued to senior citizens. This card has secondary benefits, including cheaper public transport in some areas not including Queensland. Most recipients of a payment are entitled to this. Health Care Card - primarily entitles holder to PBS medications at the concession rate. Youth Allowance - for full-time students or New Apprentices aged 16 to 24 and people aged under 21 who are undertaking job search or a combination of approved activities. Student Financial Supplement Scheme - no longer available. Pensioner Education Supplement - helps certain income support recipients with education expenses. Parenting Payment - for parents or guardians to help with the cost of raising children. Maternity Payment - for help with those extra costs after the birth of a new baby. Newstart Allowance - for people who are looking for employment or who are forced off DSP onto a lower income to look for employment. Maternity Immunisation Allowance - for fully immunised children or those exempt from immunisation. Family Tax Benefit Part B - for single income families or sole parents. Family Tax Benefit Part A - for parents or carers to help with the cost of raising children. Double Orphan Pension - for people who are raising children who have lost both parents. Disability Support Pension - for people unable to work for 2 years due to illness, injury or disability. Child Care Benefit - for families to help with the cost of child care. Carer Allowance (Child) - for people who care for a child with a disability at home. Carer Allowance - for people who care for a child with a disability at home. Austudy Payment - for full-time students and New Apprentices aged 25 years or over. Assistance for Isolated Children - if your child cannot attend school locally because you live in a remote area or your child has special needs. Assistance for Isolated Children - for families with a child who cannot attend school locally because of distance or special needs. ABSTUDY - offers a range of allowances to assist Indigenous students and New Apprentices. |