Hi,
I have a question about a situation that we are currently experiencing:
Our teenage son (17) has decided to move out of home and become independent, he has applied for this with Centrelink and have received his Centrelink Certificate of Independence.
He works part time, still attends school and receives the Centrelink Youth allowance for independent children, he lives with his uncle and aunt. We have paid all his schools fees.
The problem we have is that he is sending us huge bills ($4000+) each month including $2000 computers (we gave him $400 for a computer that met the school recommendation), $800 clothing (not needed as he took all his with him but decided they were no longer good enough and bought everything new), cost for a party, driving lessons, limo hire, etc.
We want to help him where we can but we cannot afford $4000 per month, he however is demanding we pay him (without even giving us receipts) or he will report us to the Department of Child Protection.
I just need to know what we are legally liable to pay for him if he receives the youth allowance and has a Centrelink Certificate of Independence. We want to know if we can say no when he demands money, we have always helped if he askes politely and discusses the expense with us beforehand.
Don’t get me wrong we want to help our son and will do whatever we can for him we just cannot afford his current life style.
Thanks Simon
I have a question about a situation that we are currently experiencing:
Our teenage son (17) has decided to move out of home and become independent, he has applied for this with Centrelink and have received his Centrelink Certificate of Independence.
He works part time, still attends school and receives the Centrelink Youth allowance for independent children, he lives with his uncle and aunt. We have paid all his schools fees.
The problem we have is that he is sending us huge bills ($4000+) each month including $2000 computers (we gave him $400 for a computer that met the school recommendation), $800 clothing (not needed as he took all his with him but decided they were no longer good enough and bought everything new), cost for a party, driving lessons, limo hire, etc.
We want to help him where we can but we cannot afford $4000 per month, he however is demanding we pay him (without even giving us receipts) or he will report us to the Department of Child Protection.
I just need to know what we are legally liable to pay for him if he receives the youth allowance and has a Centrelink Certificate of Independence. We want to know if we can say no when he demands money, we have always helped if he askes politely and discusses the expense with us beforehand.
Don’t get me wrong we want to help our son and will do whatever we can for him we just cannot afford his current life style.
Thanks Simon