We live in a rental house. My job is gone, I resigned (long story).
I also needed a break from it to focus on my health and wellbeing and spend time with my 1 year old bub and start new after at least 3 months. I know, we do not have huge savings and my partner only earns 1k fortnightly.
Can we ask for rental assistance? It's $1420/month. Are there any programs which support low income earners?
Worked at Centrelink, not specifically RA but Youth Allowance/Austudy (which it can be added to).
Need to be on a payment, will probably need bank statements from when you were employed to now. Get the Separation Certificate too and some payslips.
Worked for Serco doing JSP. Yep need to be on payment. RA is assessed automatically by the the processing team. From memory you shouldn't need a rent verification form unless you move or the amount of rent changes.
RA amount is dependent on how much rent is paid. Don't think there's a special contigent on earnings. The earnings will effect the payment (partners income of $3086 per fortnight in this case). If it's not hitting those numbers, then it should be gravy.
Nice, I was at Datacom. Did SA end up terminating Serco’s contract? They offed everyone at Datacom except for the Modbury office.
I believe you will need to be on something like JobSeeker to get rental assistance, and since you quit you have to wait the waiting period before you can apply for that, https://www.legalaid.qld.gov.au/Find-legal-information/Facts…
There may not necessarily be a waiting period.
https://guides.dss.gov.au/guide-social-security-law/3/11/14/….
"However, the preclusion period does not apply if the voluntary act was reasonable or if the work was unsuitable for the person."
The link talks about what is reasonable or not. That would be up to Centrelink to determine (if he meets the other eligibility criteria). It also depends on what payment he applies for. Not every payment has this kind of waiting period.
Just based on the response so far, you may have traded one form of headache/stress for another.
I was under a lot of stress at one point too and wanted to resign. I had a one year old too at the the time, but instead took some stress leave. So glad I didn't resign and the small break allowed me to refocus.
While I wanted to resign, I knew that ensuring and providing family security were the main and long term goals.
Working is hard, not working is harder!
The best option is not working while working
As it should be
Yea I too love working for the government.
About to return from a period of this myself. It has helped! I've also taken the time to make personal and workplace changes through discussion with my manager.
Can't understand this one.
Agreed.
being too hard on op, people sometimes just leave there families. Go to drugs etc. Dude just wants a 3 month break.
Go to drugs etc. Dude just wants a 3 month break.
For drugs ???
Why should the tax payer pay?
Probably wont, there is a wait period before unemployment benefits kick in if you resigned.
@[Deactivated]: Tax for social services isn't meant to be a savings account…it's a safety net for those in need.
@[Deactivated]: I've been working full time for 43 years and always paid my income taxes. It comes to around $1million over that period. I've never got Centrelink and don't expect to. It's a safety net.
We all benefit from taxes paid.
He was taxpayer at some point, so he is self funding in a way in need.
Where was I hard on op? I simply can't understand it. Quitting a job when you can't afford it, before finding a new one, seems crazy to me.
From my understanding, the new standard is as follows:
If someone makes a horrible life decision (E.g. quitting their job when they don't have enough money to support their one year old child), we as a society must congratulate them on their bravery. Even questioning why they made the decision is just being a big meany.
@Blitz001: Maybe the OP can grab your number and you can go around and change his kids diapers for him. Come on mate. He needs a break. And changing diapers is yucky.
there are lots of crazies out there and youre paying to look after them
Its hard to be in someone elses shoes. If OP was mentally ill and suicidal due to workplace stress then quitting may have been the best option, despite the downsides, as the only other alternative could be suicide. I'd take my health over a payday if it was getting to that stage.
@Intoxicoligist: As below, how much more stressful is having no job and no money and a 1 year old going to be?
@brendanm: Probably not as stressful as the job that's got you at breaking point.
For the first day at least…
@Intoxicoligist: The level of stress as a security guard is orders of magnitude below the level of stress of being broke with a new kid.
OP: Leaves job because it's stressful only to end up at home more stressed with a one year old and no income.
OZbargain: I think you've done yourself a mischief
Have to agree, and I know it's not the responses you wanted but leaving a job and only having a combined income of $500 a week when you have a kid was probably not the best idea. Try and get a new job ASAP.
Sadly given their spending habits I don't think keeping the job would of helped much.
What are their spending habits?
inductive reasoning
take a break
focus on your wellbeing and don't forget the partner too, she is working and taking care of a child (with yourself)
find work or head to centrelink
get help if required. but identify it early, you have all the signs of a vulnerable customer (done the training at work)
you are assuming OP is male…OP could be male/female…LOL
Complete opposite of me, I assumed OP was female for sure.
I guess I just can't imagine any man quitting his job for no real reason, leaving his family destitute. I would be looking for a second job, not quitting the first.
The above is exactly the reason why we have mental health and suicide issues amongst men in this country
@popcornready: I couldn't agree more. OP didn't leave his job for "no real reason". I doubt any of these negative comments are new concepts to OP, and I am sure he was acutely aware of the issues associated with quitting prior to doing it. His circumstances must have been sufficiently terrible to justify taking this route.
Maybe OP figured that his child would benefit more from having a broke father than having a father who accelerated into incoming traffic on the way home.
What about your income from selling Lightroom pre-sets and photography services OP?
so much time aye?
I guess they didn't buy the house?
Easier to have others pay for the 3 months leave as opposed to self funding it.
I stepped up as a manager in my workplace. Too much stress and comes to the point I wanted to resign. Just like you, we have a year old baby, paying bills and my wife have to stop working to look after our baby as we do not have anyone in here. For the record, we dont get any cents from the Centrelink. Just think of your family as your motivation to work hard. I know wellbeing is important but You have to be tough enough for your family
Well said Fredfloresjr. Family motivation helps push u thru difficult work environment settings.
Remind yourself that you need this job to support your family and rough it out until u get another job.
Family is more important than almost any amount of wellbeing.
It's all good and well to say your family is motivation. Should wack that on a shirt. What good is being tough if you work yourself and family into the ground? Life is for living, not working. (You can add that to your t-shirt slogan line up for free).
But the real world isn't a slogan. I had to leave my $90k+ job after my daughter was born to care for my wife who had complications from the pregnancy and birth, which has made underlying chronic conditions flare up to the point of hospitalisation. She is still on unpaid maternity leave and is dreading retuning to work in a few months due to the impact it will have on her. We don't get anything from Centrelink (after maternity pay) but should qualify for the family tax benefit this year. Before this, I had always had a new role lined up before quitting, generally always with a pay increase, but due to circumstances I had to go with nothing.
I have been self employed for about 8 months now, I have a reliable income of $1000 per fortnight with extra income when I make large sales/win a project.
I've cherished being home a lot more than I would have been working 40 hours in an office, spending much more time with my family is great. I'm hoping my consulting services increase (as it has slowly but surely) to a point where I can be back at my old rate or higher and still be able to care for my family in the way they need, but always keeping my eye on suitable employment. Luckily we are 10 years into our mortgage and have over 2/3rds paid off with a low fixed rated for the next 4 years so budgeting to keep a roof over our heads is simple.
Call up Centrelink and they can let you know what you can get.
Call up Centrelink
lol…
They'll be on the age pension by the time somebody answers…
start calling at 8am
I called at 12pm Monday, past all the automated crap they answered within 2 minutes, was quite surprised!
@MeesusEff: the automated crap takes around 5 minutes plus if it connects…and the only extensions that answer reasonably quickly aren't usually anything to do with claims or payments…
@petry: I did set up the voice thing and the person who picked up finished setting it up, but he was able to look into my query so I took that (first time calling)
this has to be a troll post, surely if you had a 1-year-old and your letting the missus do all the heavy lifting you would have taken the time to call these services before pulling the pin?
Would necessarily be a troll. People do odd things.
Sounds like the work might have been taking a toll on his mental / physical health. Sometimes you just need to pull the pin/rip off the bandaid, otherwise you might still be in it years later…
yeah you could be right man. but for all we know, he is the cause of the stress at his previous post.
what if this is the missus that has quit her job? how can you tell from reading the post apart from making assumptions?
what if they are a same-sex couple and there is no missus? see where assumptions get ya mate!
They are the missus.
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/460932
EDIT: Maybe not https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/460932?page=1#comment-7347…
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/576224
twoperspectives on 26/10/2020 - 13:04
I always wanted to quit my job and get feel good about what I wanted to do but how doesn't like some fixed money coming in to your bank? I still want to get into the scene and offer really good service even free first few photoshoots to make my portfolio look alright. anyway, are there any freelance or photographers or (people from relevent industries) who work as sole-traders who can tell me if its a good time to quit the 9 to 5 security job and do photography. are people getting any financial or income support from the govt? I am in vic.
amusing to think OP is the dude, sitting at home while missus is working as a seco risking physical harm so op & bub get 3 months of sofa time. As funny (and equally as F'd up as that thought is) I think op = dude
so he's been contemplating quitting for awhile now. shame they never looked into doing NEIS for the photography business assuming no prior business ownership.
ahhh another assumption, FML! hhaha
I don't have a solution other than get another job asap. I feel bad for OP the market is pretty shit and many people are looking for jobs and more and more are getting laid off. High unemployment has shifted the power in favour of employers and some will even make you leave the job to churn and burn cycle employees.
i would be going to the landlord (via the property manager or whatever) and asking for a rent reduction..
The tenants in my IP asked me for a rent reduction (any sort of rent reduction), and i gave them a $30 reduction for 6 months. They've been good tenants, and i would rather get SOME rent than NO rent
i would be going to the landlord (via the property manager or whatever) and asking for a rent reduction..
One of my mate temporary got layoff from work for six months due to COVID, they talk to the landlord for delay on rent payment (not even a reduction). Initially they happy with it moment later, landlord kick them out just before the next lease renewal.
see i don't understand this.. who doesn't want money coming in?
temp reduction, wonder if the landlord thought about the costs of getting a new tennant in.
keeping good tennants is much more worth it than trying to increase rent every 6 months
Not that hard to find a new tenant. I wouldn't be so kind. It's just business.
Not in Sydney, rent is dropping like flies
Why should it become the landlords problem? He didn’t quit op’s job..
Duhhh because landlord wants money from OP, therefore OPs money problems become landlord's problems. Whether or not they realise it, dealing with problems like this is what they get paid for.
No, he just evicts op for non payment of rent and gets another tenant in.
@brendanm: I don't think you know what you're talking about. It's a remarkably long and difficult process to evict a tenant, even if everything goes correctly, and they can fight it at every step. At any rate: OPs money problems have become the landlords problems.
@[Deactivated]: Of course it is, but it's a better process than waiting out the rest of the rental term not getting paid.
OPs money problems have become the landlords problems.
For a period at least, then ops money problems become homelessness.
@brendanm: "Of course it is, but it's a better process than waiting out the rest of the rental term not getting paid."
Utter strawman. The suggestion was for rent reduction, not boycott.
"For a period at least, then ops money problems become homelessness"
Ok so we agree that having to evict a tenant is a major PITA and getting a new one is expensive, and the rental market is falling, so either way it sounds like a big problem for the landlord. Thanks for diluting my point by spending 2 posts agreeing with me and adding no new information.
@[Deactivated]: The point is that ops poor choices shouldn't be put onto someone he has a signed agreement with.
If rent reduction is refused, then it's likely op can't pay. We then get to eviction.
@brendanm: "The point is that ops poor choices shouldn't be put onto someone he has a signed agreement with."
Exactly why not?
@[Deactivated]: Are you serious? Because op has agreed to pay $x per week in a legally binding agreement. It is no one else's fault that they quit their job, therefore no one else should have to wear the lower rent.
@[Deactivated]: And they say tenants have no rights. With this attitude and entitlement, no wonder some landlords are harsh.
No, he just evicts op for non payment of rent and gets another tenant in.
That still sounds like the landlord's problem.
Duhhh what? OP decides to quit his job without another income, and somehow you think the landlord has some burden of responsibility, even though the pair are in an agreement? Jesus, i can’t imagine being as entitled as you.
I'm slightly confused by the comments.
OP isn't asking for your life advice, and for judgement of his decision.
They are simply asking a question regarding Rent Assistance.
That's what you get for asking it in Ozb, OP should contact the centerlink? and hope for the best.
Yeah I understand, but at least he is being honest about the situation.
True but even centrelink don't care about his situation.
To be honest, I would think getting $1 from centerlink is more stressful than working as air traffic controller.
OP, simple google search would get this, https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/ce…
Because some people has been in his situation why relating to their life advice.
If you post on Ozbargain for advice.. expect 99% unsolicited opinion and 1% advice.
Also, expect the unsolicited opinions to be completely ignorant and lacking any awareness that another persons circumstances might be more complicated than the 2 sentences they write out on a forum, of which they are not asking for advice on, just providing some context.
This place is an absolute cesspool.. and I for one, find it quite amusing :)
The non bargain opinions on here are very valuable. You can use it as an elimination tactic to identify what not to do.
Having said that, there's always one or two educated pieces of advice if you maage to read all the other junk and not stab your eyes
Your percentage breakdown strangely mirrors the percentage of the population with a higher than average EQ. Good people will help or at least move on, people who believe they have some sort of entitled view (or simply are a..holes) will berate genuine questions.
There is also the “I just want to say something” group that add no value…
All of this mirrors the society we live in unfortunately, face to face people will generally behave but when there is a level of anonymity their true character comes out.
OP isn't asking for your life advice
*posts on ozbargain… haha
Can get ftb, depending on your income you can also get last financial year as your baby is 1+. If under 1,you can try for paid parental leave?
Too late, resigned from job. Need to job to get parental leave, no?
I was "unemployed" when I got it, contract naturally ended 3 weeks before my due date. Well the condition was if you worked 10 out of 13 months before birth, and at least an hour a week. But I just looked and the time to claim was 30+ weeks so too late anyway.
Hope you have a credit card that you can burn during this time, banks are always pretty good if you explain to them your situation, and most insurance/utility company will help you in some ways with payment plans.
Good luck.
I could be wrong. But I think to get rent assistance from centrelink you need to be getting paid by them (such as through Job Seeker). You might want to apply, https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/ce…
Looks like as long as your partner is under $3K a fortnight and you're under $300, then you comply from that side? Maybe? Though of course theres a lot more they check and I don't know if the fact you left your job is an issue for them? You may also have to comply to things as well.
Rent assistance details are:
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/ce…