Centrelink - income support

When you are retrenched, a pressing need is to make sure there is enough money in the bank to pay bills and keep your head above water. Depending on your situation, you may be entitled to income support payments from Centrelink.

Summary from my experience - Regardless of the percentage of household income lost when you were retrenched, if you are married or defacto and your partner earns more than $35K a year, the government in it's wisdom says you are "doing well" and do not require assistance.

This info sheet gives you some starter points. Here is a list of some factors affecting payment rates or eligibility. Or simply call 13 28 50, tell them your situation, and they will advise if you are able to access any financial support.

Unfortunately, if like me, you are not eligible for Newstart Allowance, then you will also be ineligible to receive any other support Centrelink or it's partners offer.

You are also unable to access the NEIS program which provides training and support to start up your own business. Which is a program the government touts for helping retrenched workers re-establish themselves in the workforce. Go figure!

Watch your language!

Words are powerful things. Be careful what you say, or what others say, when telling the news.

While I was packing up my things in the office, I heard a colleague say to someone that I was made redundant.

Here's a simple grammar tip that might help.
A role is made redundant - a person is retrenched.

You were not made redundant - the role was. And despite how you might feel right now, you are not the role. You are a person. And you are not redundant.