Just not fair': Grieving mum misses Centrelink cut-off by six days   

Illawarra Mercury
May 1 2024

Patty Van duijn's "miracle pregnancy" came as a surprise to her and her partner Lee Simpson.

After suffering a miscarriage the year earlier she was nervous about what the next nine months would hold for the couple.

Lee Simpson and Patty Van duijn, stock image of a hospital corridor.

"It wasn't a planned pregnancy to start but nevertheless, we were very, very excited about having a baby," she said.

But everything changed for the pair at an early screening when they found that their 19-week-old baby was not going to survive.

The pain of losing baby Mason was only made worse when Ms Van duijn found that she would have to return to work immediately due to the cut-off requirements for Centrelink support payments.



A family is only eligible for stillborn support payments if the child weighed more than 400 grams or was in gestation for 20 weeks or more. Unborn baby Mason was 19 weeks and one day old when he died.

"I don't understand at all because he's still a baby. He had arms, legs, toes, fingers and everything. You're still going through the trauma of losing him, giving birth to him and holding him," she said.


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The couple work in hospitality in Adelaide. Ms Van duijn works as a waitress while her partner runs the restaurant's kitchen.

In her grief, she said she is struggling with the idea of putting on "a smiling face to earn some money" two weeks after losing her child.

"I got to pay bills, I got to pay rent, I got to eat. All I've been doing is stressing about how I can pay for stuff.


"The last thing that I want to do right now is go to work and pretend to be happy."

'It's just not fair'   
A Department of Social Services spokesperson said the government "recognises the tragic loss and trauma of miscarriage".

While Ms Van duijn lost her baby six days too early to receive financial aid, the department spokesperson said other supports were available through Services Australia including counselling and support to connect with local services.

"I don't know who's made the rule, if they've gone through this or if they've ever spoken to someone that's gone through this," Ms Van duijn said.

"I don't think they have because it's not right. It's just not fair."

A fundraiser has been established to support the young family while they recover.

Support is available for those who may be distressed:

Phone Lifeline 13 11 14
beyondblue 1300 224 636