I think you should contact them and let them know that you re beyond screwed right now and struggling to cope with time financial stress and put it on them? this sounds so tough. You need some support hun, family, helpline? Doctors for a health care plan? I think you need to start asking.

I will try Centrelink again tomorrow and see if there’s anything they can do. I don’t want govt handouts - I can and do work, it’s just all too much atm, and it’s really getting to me. My son has one school uniform I wash every night because I cannot afford a spare. It’s my kids I feel for. When I was married (left for DV reasons) I got to be SAHM and we were really comfortable financially- I’ve left and it’s so much better but they’ve gone from that to crappy unit and no time with me, because I’m working all hours to pay for said crappy unit 😂

Why are you laughing ^

Ignoring the above two comments, I will continue. 🙂yeah I get that, life sucks that it changes sand you realise things that you had are no longer available, like being SAHM. I know tomorrow you might talk yourself out of it, but I really think you should call them and see. Unfortunately I am also out of my league offering advice, but atleast you can rule that out. If getting a handout to cover the money he should be paying and you deserve, then so be it. You need some space women! Goodluck

No probs. Get on Centrelink website;
Carers benefit or carers payment. Check it out

She won’t be allowed to work

It’s got nothing to do with working

Carers payment is not means tested.
Carers benefit (think this is what it’s called) is but if you only earn one income and it’s low there is still a chance to receive it
But carers payment will help her massively. It’s a fortnightly payment that she will be eligible to receive regardless of any other payments. They work separately to each other.
Also lady; get yourself a claim for single parent or family benefit or whatever you can even though you are working. Might take the strain off you and aril let you be able to work. Just take the lump sum payments as opposed to weekly- less chance of getting overpaid

I’ve just got diagnosis - privately (about $4.5k of appointments all u on a 50k income, straw that broke camels back!!!) and am looking into NDIS now. Time away from kids - don’t get much of this unfortunately, but trying to prioritise my emotional health through self care. Thank you for the empathy - helps knowing I’m not the only one XX

Oh god you poor thing. Seriously that’s incredible to pay out much privately on your income. You’ve done so well for your child. What an amazing mum ❤️
Well get a referral to ndis ASAP- not sure about once you have the diagnosis But it took me 1.5 years to get into it. Don’t mean to scare you and I’m hoping it’s different for you as you have a diagnosis already but I just want to stress the need to look into it as soon as possible for your own financial benefit.
Also, now that you have this diagnosis I’m wondering if you can receive any Centrelink benefit (the fact that you care for a child with higher needs on your own) like a carers benefit etc that runs separately to any other entitlement you may get from Centrelink already- one of them is means tested and one is not. Just another thing to get paperwork for (from paediatrician possibly) so you can get that extra help. Maybe you could invest some of this money to get a break; paid child care even?

Also, you are NOT alone. It could be worthwhile trying to find an online support group as its a difficult place to find yourself in when your child has something unique and slightly challenging about them that other people just don’t understand.
I have amazing friends that offer to help and there’s no way my child would cope with being looked after by them; I value their support and offers of help but they just don’t understand the same.
Anyway I’m sending you heaps of strength awesome mamma ❤️
I honestly believe we only get given as much as we can handle in life, and sometimes I just try and remember I’m dealt this hand because I AM STRONG enough to deal with it all.

Sorry for long ramble; last thing I forgot to add was; your emotional health is top priority. The more you get any help or support the better you may be able to face each day for example.
If it’s hard to get either child to go to other people, look at everyone and anyone that is already in their lives and go to them for help. Xx