It is not enough that a single parent knows the benefits that he or she is entitled to. More importantly, one must be familiarized with specific guidelines regarding how to claim single parent benefits. Moreover, procedures are different in each country.
One must thoroughly check the information in the country where one is residing to ensure that one gets what is rightfully his or hers. In some Asian countries like the Philippines, to avail single parent benefits, one must secure a Solo Parent Identification Card (Solo Parent ID) from the City Municipal Social Welfare and Development office.
Requirements prior to issuance of ID include barangay certificate residency in the area, documents that prove that the parent is indeed single such as death certificate of spouse, declaration of nullity of marriage and medical certificate (if the other parent is incapacitated).
Once the ID has been issued, the parent can already inquire from the different government agencies regarding availing their benefits such as housing, educational assistance, health services and parental leave.
Some countries are capable of giving benefits generously. In Ireland, they have what they call One-Parent Family Payment (OFP) as a form of financial support to single parents, men or women under the age of 66. A single parent can avail the benefit until the youngest child turns 18.
When the OFP ends, one will still be given assistance under a different scheme. To claim benefits, one must fill up an OFP form and submit it with the supporting documents to the Department of Social Welfare.
In order to be qualified for OFP, the parent must be able to comply with the requirements, which include the following: the parent applying should be the custodial parent, parent should have been living apart from spouse or partner for at least 3 months, support of the non-custodial parent is inadequate and parent has one child with age below 7.
Parents must also ensure that they file their taxes correctly by consulting a tax representative in their country. In the US, a parent who files as “head of household” can also get benefits such as less tax payment and higher standard deduction claims.
In the UK, a lone parent is eligible for what they call income support, which can include basic and extra payments, depending on one’s current income and savings. Extra payments or premiums can be availed considering certain circumstances such as a parent or the child with a disability.
One can claim by phone or by post. There are forms available for downloading plus contact information in the Gov. UK website, to ensure convenience in applying. Benefits or allowances are eventually deposited to an account.
The bottom line is that single parents are in need of financial aid and being aware of the extra money or assistance they are entitled to – and how they can avail them – can save them a lot of trouble and anxiety.
Lastly, by finding the time to complete the necessary documents and completing the requirements no matter how tedious they may seem, getting that ‘extra help’ will be worth the wait.
Next Article:- Single Parent Help
One must thoroughly check the information in the country where one is residing to ensure that one gets what is rightfully his or hers. In some Asian countries like the Philippines, to avail single parent benefits, one must secure a Solo Parent Identification Card (Solo Parent ID) from the City Municipal Social Welfare and Development office.
Requirements prior to issuance of ID include barangay certificate residency in the area, documents that prove that the parent is indeed single such as death certificate of spouse, declaration of nullity of marriage and medical certificate (if the other parent is incapacitated).
Once the ID has been issued, the parent can already inquire from the different government agencies regarding availing their benefits such as housing, educational assistance, health services and parental leave.
Some countries are capable of giving benefits generously. In Ireland, they have what they call One-Parent Family Payment (OFP) as a form of financial support to single parents, men or women under the age of 66. A single parent can avail the benefit until the youngest child turns 18.
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In order to be qualified for OFP, the parent must be able to comply with the requirements, which include the following: the parent applying should be the custodial parent, parent should have been living apart from spouse or partner for at least 3 months, support of the non-custodial parent is inadequate and parent has one child with age below 7.
Parents must also ensure that they file their taxes correctly by consulting a tax representative in their country. In the US, a parent who files as “head of household” can also get benefits such as less tax payment and higher standard deduction claims.
In the UK, a lone parent is eligible for what they call income support, which can include basic and extra payments, depending on one’s current income and savings. Extra payments or premiums can be availed considering certain circumstances such as a parent or the child with a disability.
One can claim by phone or by post. There are forms available for downloading plus contact information in the Gov. UK website, to ensure convenience in applying. Benefits or allowances are eventually deposited to an account.
The bottom line is that single parents are in need of financial aid and being aware of the extra money or assistance they are entitled to – and how they can avail them – can save them a lot of trouble and anxiety.
Lastly, by finding the time to complete the necessary documents and completing the requirements no matter how tedious they may seem, getting that ‘extra help’ will be worth the wait.
Next Article:- Single Parent Help
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