Single mums, families and pensioners to lose welfare payments
TENS of thousands of families, pensioners, single parents and carers will have their welfare payments slashed in a tough-love federal Budget crackdown.
The Herald Sun has learned the benefits of welfare recipients will be cut if they travel overseas for more than six weeks.
And all single jobless mums and dads will have their payments axed when their youngest child turns eight, to force them back to work.
It means about 100,000 single parents will lose protection that allowed them to keep the payment until their youngest turned 16.
People getting Family Tax Benefit A and B are among those being squeezed by the Budget razor gang.
Ministers have decided people receiving welfare should not have an overseas trip subsidised by taxpayers, and the new rules from January 1 will reap tens of millions of dollars.
The Government is expected to argue the cut will ease the pressure to make harsher cuts on spending for low and middle-income families who cannot afford an overseas holiday.
About 25,000 people receiving family tax benefits spend more than six weeks a year overseas.
They will have their benefits reduced to the base rate of $52.64 a fortnight.
Depending on their income and the number of children, they can lose as much as $160 a fortnight, though the typical loss might be about $110.
The hit list includes more than 8000 disability support pensioners who will lose $755.50 a fortnight, but those with a severe and permanent disability will be exempt.
Age pensions will not be touched, with ministers deciding that "grey nomads" have paid their taxes and deserve to enjoy their travel. Many pensioners born overseas also go back to their home country.
But pensioners will lose telephone, mobility and utilities allowances, which can be worth up to $160 a quarter, because they are not at home.
The seniors supplement for Commonwealth seniors health card holders will also be cut.
The existing 13-week restriction on overseas travel has been judged excessive and six weeks will be set as enough time for Australians to be overseas and still receive welfare.
It is believed the Budget axe will not hit people caught overseas longer than six weeks because of exceptional circumstances, such as illness.
http://news.google.com.au/nwshp?hl=en&tab=wn