Centrelink - Youth Allowance

[barthez]

just a few questions about centrelink, youth allowance and claiming being independent.

I am going to be moving away from home to study and have applied for youth allowance. I claimed to be independent as I have been working for 16 months and earnt more than 75% of the rate which they require u to earn in an 18 month period to claim independence.

Ive been told by some people that i needed to be working for AT LEAST 18 months but that doesnt sound right to me...the criteria is below....

have been out of school at least 18 months and earned an amount equivalent to 75 per cent of the maximum rate of pay under Wage Level A of the Australian Pay and Classification Scale in an 18 month period before lodging a claim.

now, i will be moving away from home, around 4 hrs drive, living by myself and studying full time.......i need this payment to help cover my rent and living expenses....i plan to get a casual job but without centrelink i will not be able to cover any costs and will have to give up the oppurtunity to go to university and finish my architecture degree as my parents are unable to support me financially.

does anyone here work for centrelink?

or has anyone claimed independence before?

what are my chances of getting the payment?

how long does it take for a claim to be processed?


thanks