gemfyre | Centerlink does something helpful for a change *dies of shock*

At C-link's advice, I applied for a Carer's Allowance, because sometimes Matt has a bad day and needs some extra help. The amount I'm getting on Newstart barely covers the rent, and with doing that bit of Census work it was getting docked severely, so I had no chance of getting ahead anyway.

My application for Carer's Allowance was rejected - this would have given me about $100 more per fortnight on top of my Newstart. But somehow they decided I was elligible for a Carer's Pension. THIS is a payment for what they deem as a full time carer. I am no longer obliged to look for work AND I get about $200 more per fortnight.

This means I don't have to waste my time and the time of employees applying for jobs I don't really want (I had to apply for 10 jobs a fortnight - there aren't 10 jobs a fortnight advertised that I'm really interested in/qualified for - so I'd be applying for jobs I didn't care for and/or I knew I would never get anyway), and I can focus my time and effort on just applying for those positions I DO want.

I can study if I like and my pay will stay the same. I can earn up to a certain amount before they start docking it and of course, if I do end up with a well-paid, full time job it will be cancelled, but then of course I just don't have to deal with C-link.

Seriously, I am just waiting for the letter telling me they've stuffed up and they want the extra money back.