Pensions & Allowances

Pensions and allowances include the age pension, disability support pension, carer payment, Abstudy, Newstart and family assistance.

Cathy is a pensioner. A few months ago her daughter was having some personal problems and asked her to look after her grandson while she sorts her problems out. Cathy’s daughter has now asked her if she can look after him for another 12 months. Cathy is struggling to look after her grandson on her pension and she and her daughter have agreed that Cathy should get the social security benefits for her grandson.

When Cathy and her daughter asked for Cathy to get the social security benefits they were refused.

Who can Cathy and her daughter contact for advice or information?

Centrelink (Indigenous Call Centre)
http://www.centrelink.gov.au
Phone: 13 63 80
(local call cost from a landline)

Commonwealth Ombudsman
http://www.comb.gov.au
Phone: 1300 362 072
(local call cost from a landline)

Social Security Appeals Tribunal
http://www.ssat.gov.au
1800 011 140 (Free Call)