If you are a grandparent who has the responsibility of raising your grandchildren you may be eligible for a range of payments and services through Centrelink including:
[ul]Family Tax Benefit which assists with the cost of raising children
Child Care Benefit which assists with the costs of child care
Parenting Benefit which assists with caring for a dependent child under the age of 16 (if you are not already receiving another income support payment)
Health Care Cards in the name of your grandchild to assist with the cost of prescriptions.
In some circumstances Youth Allowance may be payable to your grandchild.[/ul]
Grandparent Advisors are a newly created role which has initially been implemented in specific locations to provide help to grandparents who have fulltime caring responsibility for their grandchildren. To speak to a Grandparent Advisor call Debbie on 1800 245 965 and sorry they are not located anywhere near The Grove.
Centrelink also has a number of specialist officers who can provide additional support to you and your grandchildren in these circumstances including:
[ul]Social workers
Financial Information Service Officers
Indigenous Service Officers
Multicultural Service Officers[/ul]