Is it bad to make a claim with Centrelink even though you are not in financial crisis? I mean, if one is entitled to Centrelink benefits like SIFS or FTB, one should still be able to make a claim, right, regardless of status?
And if you make a claim, does it look bad on one's record? Is there a stigma when people find out you asked for money with Centrelink?
Your opinions most welcome
The 'need' is actually decided by the government. If you pass the means test for a particular payment there is no reason not to claim it. You pay taxes and that is your entitlement….
That's exactly how rich people treat tax minimisation too eh?
Aren't all benefits means tested? You only get what you need/deserve?
Yes, they're means tested. Ftb is basically a tax benefit. If you don't need it during the year you can just get it as a deduction from your tax at the end of the financial year. If you do it that way, I'm not sure you even need to put in a centrelink claim to get it. I could well be wrong on that though, as it has been a while since I've put in a tax return.
And no, claiming Centrelink benefits is not a bad thing. Centrelink is increasingly administering more and more govt services, such as Childcare benefit, which you'd find the majority of working families are claiming.
If you're eligible, just do it. And then put it in your bank and don't spend it.
translation: I'm an adult and I still get pocketmoney from mommy
Look at it this way, if you don't really need it, redistribute it to charity.
We all would like to be more charitable, you can act on it.
You've paid the tax and you're eligible for some back. It's a no brainer to me
Either you take what you can be assessed as being entitled to or they give it away in foreign aid??
Easy choice…
Abbott is cutting foreign aid and wont even send medicos to help treat ebola, so it's not gonna go to foreign aid mate.
It's about time too, because our medical services within AU are so stretched that people are waiting to die on stretchers - go to the public hospitals. Take care of your people first, better than trying to look noble whilst your very own wither away.
As they say, charity starts at home.
"Is there a stigma when people find out you asked for money with Centrelink?"
The only way for anyone to know is for you to tell them, so i can't see why you would!
Of course! Blaze up and claim away! What do you need to work for anyway?
If you don't claim what is due, it goes to the asylum seekers who get first priority before you anyway. As long as you are honest with declaring income/assets, if you deserve it and meet the threshold, I believe you will get something. If you are feeling too guilty about claiming something you don't need, receive it and then donate to charity. That way the money goes to some organisation you choose.
Wtf do asylum seekers have to do with the original post? Plus your comment makes zero sense, if they get the money as the priority then whether OP claims or not is completely irrelevant.
@momov3
Please do not believe everything you read on facebook or in email-forwards that do the rounds. I've seen a couple that make those sort of claims, and they're simply not correct.
I've gone through Youth Allowance when I was in High School and Uni.
Are you referring to making further claims when you are currently receiving a benefit? I'm only asking this because you can get an advance from your benefit and pay it off slowly without interest.
I think the only person that can judge you is yourself, if you need it and you see a benefit in using it, go for it.
Is this even a question?!!
Don't claim if you don't need it.