Compulsory participation plans and support for teenage parents - targeted locations Description of the measure From 1 January 2012, all new single and partnered Parenting Payment recipients who are 19 years old or younger, who reside in 10 specific locations, will be required to attend regular interviews with Centrelink, develop compulsory participation plans and undertake compulsory activities. The activities will require school completion, or foundation skills or certificate level qualification; and/or a school readiness component for their children. Questions and answers Who will be affected by this Budget measure? All Parenting Payment customers 19 years of age or under on 1 January 2012 and their children, who reside in one of the following Local Government Areas: Playford (SA) Rockhampton (QLD) Hume (VIC) Burnie (TAS) Bankstown (NSW) Wyong (NSW) Logan (QLD) Kwinana (WA) Greater Shepparton (VIC) Shellharbour (NSW) |
Who will not be affected by this Budget measure? All other recipients of income support payments will not be affected. Is it a new measure that will affect existing Portfolio customers or people? If so, how will they be affected? Yes. From 1 January 2012, existing and new Parenting Payment customers in 10 locations will need to attend regular interviews, develop compulsory participation plans and undertake compulsory activities such as completing high school or foundation skills, or achieving a certificate level qualification and/or including a school readiness component for their children. When will the changes be implemented? From 1 January 2012, these changes will be implemented for existing and new Parenting Payment customers in 10 locations. When will the changes end? This is an ongoing measure. How will I know if I am affected by this Budget measure? From 1 January 2012, if you are an existing or new Parenting Payment customer who is 19 years of age or younger and you live in one of 10 nominated local government areas, you will be sent a letter asking you to attend a compulsory information interview and to develop a support and engagement plan when your child turns six months old. Do I need to do anything? No. You will receive a letter asking you to attend a compulsory initial interview to discuss your future plans. If I am affected by this Budget measure, will there be changes to my obligations or any reporting requirements I currently have? Yes. You will be required to attend compulsory interviews every six months and participate in compulsory activities. Your Parenting Payment may be suspended if you do not attend interviews or activities. In the rare instances that child care is unavailable, a participant will not be required to undertake activities that don’t correspond with available child care.
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