Comments on: Not much stimulation for the poor kids on youth allowance http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/05/20/not-much-stimulation-for-the-poor-kids-on-youth-allowance/ now with extra source Sun, 12 Feb 2012 10:13:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Darren Holmes http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/05/20/not-much-stimulation-for-the-poor-kids-on-youth-allowance/#comment-26974 Darren Holmes Wed, 20 May 2009 11:00:09 +0000 http://www.crikey.com.au/?p=59812#comment-26974 Quite simply, parents are expected to pay or see their children starve. Quite simply, parents are expected to pay or see their children starve.

]]> By: Ultrapeach http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/05/20/not-much-stimulation-for-the-poor-kids-on-youth-allowance/#comment-26963 Ultrapeach Wed, 20 May 2009 07:31:37 +0000 http://www.crikey.com.au/?p=59812#comment-26963 Thanks for writing about this. Youth Allowance is so little and now the criteria is even harder to meet! This is reflective of a society that does not value students or education. Thanks for writing about this. Youth Allowance is so little and now the criteria is even harder to meet! This is reflective of a society that does not value students or education.

]]> By: RV http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/05/20/not-much-stimulation-for-the-poor-kids-on-youth-allowance/#comment-26957 RV Wed, 20 May 2009 07:04:14 +0000 http://www.crikey.com.au/?p=59812#comment-26957 The figures you quote are the Special Payment Rates and apply only in certain cases - see http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/payments/ya_rates.htm (the link in your piece is broken). The story is even worse for those of us already on Youth Allowance. I am 25 years old and have been classed as independent for several years, having earned over the threshold. I receive $370 plus $70 (the maximum amount possible) in rent assist per fortnight. I receive the $70 because I pay more than $400/month in rent. Despite my age I would receive only $244.40 per fortnight were I to move back in with my parents, the implication being that they should support me. To date I have been surviving on my savings. Anyone without that advantage or who is not lucky enough to find a (preferably tax-free) job is screwed. The figures you quote are the Special Payment Rates and apply only in certain cases - see http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/payments/ya_rates.htm (the link in your piece is broken).

The story is even worse for those of us already on Youth Allowance. I am 25 years old and have been classed as independent for several years, having earned over the threshold. I receive $370 plus $70 (the maximum amount possible) in rent assist per fortnight. I receive the $70 because I pay more than $400/month in rent. Despite my age I would receive only $244.40 per fortnight were I to move back in with my parents, the implication being that they should support me.

To date I have been surviving on my savings. Anyone without that advantage or who is not lucky enough to find a (preferably tax-free) job is screwed.

]]> By: Lauzy http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/05/20/not-much-stimulation-for-the-poor-kids-on-youth-allowance/#comment-26951 Lauzy Wed, 20 May 2009 06:07:19 +0000 http://www.crikey.com.au/?p=59812#comment-26951 Hmmmm.... I'd be the first to say students live under the poverty line but I think this is all just a bit melodramatic. Until a few years ago I was a student with a very similar income level as described by you. Being generous, I'd say I was on $800/fn (YA + rent assistance + part-time wk) and paying $200 /fn on rent. Ok, yes that's a pretty tight budget, but I'll be damned if I couldn't afford alcohol and socialising! Now in my post-student years, I've often pondered on how it really is incredible that on these tiny incomes we were all able to get rip roaring drunk numerous times each week! All a matter of priorities I suppose. You choose 50 cent mee goreng noodles for dinner so you can afford to socialise :) So, yes when you're a student under these circumstances, you're a pauper, but you still manage to have a pretty damn good time, and even though a pauper, at least you're a pauper with prospects. Hmmmm…. I’d be the first to say students live under the poverty line but I think this is all just a bit melodramatic. Until a few years ago I was a student with a very similar income level as described by you. Being generous, I’d say I was on $800/fn (YA + rent assistance + part-time wk) and paying $200 /fn on rent.

Ok, yes that’s a pretty tight budget, but I’ll be damned if I couldn’t afford alcohol and socialising! Now in my post-student years, I’ve often pondered on how it really is incredible that on these tiny incomes we were all able to get rip roaring drunk numerous times each week! All a matter of priorities I suppose. You choose 50 cent mee goreng noodles for dinner so you can afford to socialise :)

So, yes when you’re a student under these circumstances, you’re a pauper, but you still manage to have a pretty damn good time, and even though a pauper, at least you’re a pauper with prospects.

]]>