Recovery of rent assistance, my baby and I are now on the brink of becoming homeless

Debt amount:

$4000

Date debt issued:

Monday, 21 November 2016

Period debt occurred:

October 2015 to September 2016

Has your case been referred to a collection agency?:

Yes

Appealing Debt?:

Yes in process

Tell us about your debt and how has this affected you? e.g. anxiety levels, financial and accommodation stress:

I am a single mother of a toddler with no family support trying to finish my university degree so that I am able to find better employment to keep us financially secure. I only just received enough money to cover my rent and get a small amount of food for the two of us. Or pay rent and bills. Just before Christmas as I was writing my final exams I was told my rent assistance was going to be cut and I was sent a bill for $4000 that needed to be paid in two weeks. My baby and I are now on the brink of becoming homeless as I look desperately for employment. As the money I receive no longer covers our necessities, I get more and more into credit card debt as I try to feed us. The timing of telling me was perfect right as I struggled to try and make my childs perception of Christmas a joyful one. Another single mother friend of mine was told on Christmas eve that she owed up to $7000

How do you feel about the way the Government has handled this process?:

When I went to enquire about my debt I found the centrelink team were really unhelpful and did not understand my struggle at all they were rude and off hand.
The way the governments is going about this process is incredibly thoughtless to a hugely vulnerable group of people. Low income earners are known to have higher levels of depression and other stress related disease. Are they purposely pushing for a public health epidemic. Cut back costs in one area and end up paying them in another. Because this vulnerable group cannot afford medical insurance and healthy food.