The Department of Human Services is marking Seniors Week by highlighting the important role grandparents play in supporting their children and grandchildren through family separation.
The Child Support Agency’s Director of Parent Support, Toni Brown, said Seniors Week is a great opportunity for all generations to join with older people and celebrate the role of grandparents – both as parents and carers.
“Grandparents often find them-selves revisiting the role of parenting following a separation in the family,” said Ms Brown.
“Some parents are unable to care for their children because of difficult circumstances such as substance abuse, death, disability or a mental illness.
“Grandparents contribute a great deal to their grandchildren’s future by passing on values, wisdom, security and love.
“Latest ABS figures show around one per cent of Australian families with children aged up to 17 years have grandparents as guardians.
“There are a range of financial and support options available for eligible grandparents who take on parenting responsibilities. These include Family Tax and Child Care Benefits, Rent Assistance, Health Care Cards, a lower threshold of the Medicare Safety Net, Baby Bonus payments and the Maternity Immunisation Allowance.
“Grandparents who care for a child for more than 35 per cent of the time may also claim child support payments from the parents.
“I encourage grandparents to visit www.humanservices.gov.au and download ‘Are you a grandparent caring for children?’ to find out more about support services for grandparent carers,” said Ms Brown.
