Helping Separated Dads stay connected with their children
SEPARATED fathers in and around Bendigo have the chance to take advantage of a free program next month.
Staying Connected, run by the Child Support Agency, is a half-day workplace program helping separated dads take control of their lives and stay connected to their children.
It also provides men with simple and practical tips on taking better care of themselves and communicating more effectively with the other parent.
The program aims to reduce conflict between parents and encourages them to work in a business-like relationship for the benefit of their children.
It is the first time the program has been delivered on such a scale regionally.
The Staying Connected program will be in Bendigo on August 24.
Interested men are urged to phone and book a place.
The program is free, and morning tea will be provided.
For more information, or to book a place, phone David Cronin on 9668 3067 or 0418 470 409.
Read more…Program helps dads to connect – Local News – News – General – The Advertiser
Child Support Payment cheats caught out by Tax Bonus
MORE than $32 million has been clawed back from separated parents trying to dodge paying child support because they filed a tax return to get their tax bonus, the Federal Government says.
The payment of the tax bonus of up to $900, as part of the Government’s second stimulus package, was dependent on the lodgement of a 2007-08 tax return.
“The lodging of returns has created greater opportunities for the Government to recover overdue child support and the end beneficiary of these payments is of course the children of separated families,” Human Services Minister Chris Bowen said.
The Child Support Agency (CSA) recouped $32.4 million in outstanding payments through the Tax Refund Interception Process following an increase in the lodgement of tax returns.
“In the five months to June 30, 2009, there has been a doubling of both the number of tax intercepts and the amount of child support debt recovered,” Mr Bowen said.
The $32.4 million in recouped payments was made through the interception of 26,797 tax returns between February and June.
In 2008 over the same period, $14.6 million was collected through the interception of 13,880 tax returns.
Read more…Tax bonus snares child support payment cheats | National Breaking News | News.com.au
Support for separated parents – Mount Gambier
April 2, 2009 by
Filed under Child Support News
Separated parents who experience a change in their financial and other circumstances are being encouraged to contact the Child Support Agency (CSA) to make sure their child support assessment accurately reflects their situation.
CSA South Australian manager Jim McMahon said the CSA recognised the current economic climate could put some pressure on parents.
“The CSA wants to work hard to support parents and ensure that assessments are accurate for the benefit of the children and the parents involved,” Mr McMahon said.
“It’s important that parents let the CSA know about a change in their circumstances as soon as possible, as changes to child support payments may not be able to be backdated and this can put both parents in financial distress.”
Parents can call 131 272 to speak to a customer service officer, or visit the CSA office at 5 Percy Street, Mount Gambier.