Single parents will continue to receive financial support until their youngest child turns 14, with the Federal Government raising the age of cut-off for Parenting Payment (Single).

Previously the payment stopped once a single parents’ youngest child turned eight. As part of the Federal Budget, the government today announced the changes, acknowledging the difficulties faced by single parents.

“Single parents carry the world on their backs,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said. “They sacrifice so much to give their children a better life.

“This is about giving them the greater security and better support they deserve. No one held back and no one left behind has always been the principle that guides me.”

From 20th September this year (subject to legislation passing through parliament), single parents won’t have to transfer to JobSeeker when their youngest turns eight.

They will continue to receive the higher support, currently a base rate of $922.10 per fortnight, until their youngest turns 14. With the changes, eligible single parents currently on JobSeeker will get an increase to payments of $176.90 per fortnight.

“This change to single parent payments is about making things fairer for parents who are already doing it tough. I know this will make a big and immediate difference for tens of thousands of mums, dads and children right across Australia.”

The government says that the change will provide an additional 57,000 single carers extra support, and that more than 90 percent of parents who will benefit will be women.