This has seriously raised my anxiety levels as I do not have the time or resources to negotiate with a Centrelink staff member.
It is quite stress full having to explain your story to three or four departments in order to get the information across.
Totally unfair considering my husband and I are self funded retirees raising our three grandchildren on a combined income of about 75- 80K.
Even though my husband is on a defined benefit Government Superannuation scheme which is untaxed, Centrelink are including the majority of his income as taxable.
According to his tax return he is on an annual taxable income of $90 which comes from some NRMA shares. We have to also support our 24 year old son who has just finished completing a university degree and still lives at home until he gets a job which will enable him to pay off his HECS debt and move out of home.