First debt letter arrived with the threat if I don't pay within 4 weeks my payments will stop and I may go to jail - panic!
Appealed and the debt increased - broken! (On DSP for mental health issues already)
Dad took over, arranged social worker from Centrelink debt line.
Once Dad revealed, in tears, I was in hospital after suicide attempt debt was cleared.
3 months later I got another letter with the threats for a year they had missed for more than I was even paid.
Dad called social worker who had left him his number, he said it was harrassment and cleared the debt again.
Inside workers at Centrelink KNOW this is a scam!
Still regularly stuffing up my payments and I'm constantly on edge and expecting to be cut off, jailed and end up on the street for something I've never done wrong.
Disgusted and sad. We are treated like less-than human. Told or implied we just don't work hard enough.
I work as much as I can and also fight illness constantly and now feel like I'm also fighting the government.
It is heartbreaking to have news outlets spread that you are a bludger, leach, "don't deserve our money" when you're doing your best to get by and do good by others.
This government's policies are cruel and dangerous for people without wealth.