I know in Queensland you can go from Newstart to Widows allowance if you are over a certain age and have been unemployed for a certain length of time - here you get paid the same amount as on Newstart, get a health care card I believe(as you do on Newstart) but no other benefits, and I think you are under the same obligations as on Newstart, in the you have to do volunteer work if you can't find any paid work. On Widows allowance you are still regarded as employable and therefore not entitled to the benefits that aged pensioners get.

I understand what you are saying about work implications etc. However, my main opoint is that in the states mentioned (Vic, Tas, SA and also Canberra) Widow Allowees receive the same rebates as pensioners. I just would like to see equality.

Hi Bev, I am on widow allowance and live in Perth.



At the age of 58 I was made redundant and had to return back home to Perth from Eastern State. At Centrelink I was treated exactly like a teenager on NewStart allowance, receiving something like $400.- or $430 (I can't remember) a fortnight and initially having to go every two weeks to sign in. In Wa, if you are over 40 and unemployed for a year, you go to Widow Allowance. Once you turn 60, you are not required to look for jobs but do a certain amount of volunteering. I am now earning $473.50 a fortnight. As I said, when I turned 60, I started receiving the same rebate as pensioners with regard Council rate and Car rego and Driver's Licence, transport etc.. effectively similar rebates to pensioners but the income is only $473.- a fortnight.



I do agree with you, it seems that we are always overlooked by politicians. They raise the issue of single pensioners but what about us. We still have rates to pay, bills, food etc.. and on a little more than what a teenager earn on NewStart Allowance, it is unfair. I worked for 45 years paying high taxes and I am forced to dig into whatever savings I have.



I am with you all the way. I hope we will get enough women on widow allowance, to at least have a voice.



Keep up the good work.



Nadia

I agree that if they are given concessions in the other states it should be the same in all states. I assume that in the other states people on the Widows allowance are still required to seek employment? Bit hazy on that point.

I think that Newstart recipients should also receive some concessions particularly on public transport - they are required to seek employment which means being well dressed and groomed, travelling around etc etc. And if they don't find work they have to do volunteer work, which means spending money on travel to and from that work, on the Newstart allowance which is not exactly princely.

I am now receiving the Carers payment which is the same as the aged pension although I effectively do a fulltime, very responsible job for which I am not trained, and unlike those on the aged pension, my time is not my own, so I don't get much of a break unless the oldster is asleep(like now). In addition I clean and care for two adjoining houses on a combined three allotments. So any perks I get I reckon I've earned.