3 years ago I had been working casually part-time when I needed to stop because of a back injury. I completed all the necessary Centrelink documentation to receive Newstart allowance under a medical exemption. I was not granted this allowance until I could prove via Separation Certificate that I was no longer working and thus had no income. I provided true and accurate evidence of my circumstances...I always do. Getting on the wrong side of Centrelink is not worth it nor could I afford it! Fast forward 3 years and I am still in receipt of benefit and have been assessed, by Centrelink, as only having a partial capacity to work. I am still managing and at times struggling with the chronic painful back injury. I am struggling with anxiety and depression, compounded by no longer being able to do the type of work that fills my resume. I am actively looking for work and still complete my requirements to receive a benefit.
And then I receive a Debt Notice. For the financial year 2013-2014 apparently I earned too much to receive the amount of benefit I did. I was not working and claiming at the same time. I worked then stopped, then received benefit. The new system averages out the total earnings over the entire period, not just the dates worked. The new system doesn’t care what dates I worked. The Government has back-dated the details of its own policy to provide assistance. Now, if I had gone from a huge pay packet to no income, maybe I would consider this reasonable. How much did I earn over 8 months? $16000. Not squillions. Not enough to pay rent, bills and expenses and still save for an as yet unknown medical condition that would put me out of work. I had no income at the time. That is why I claimed benefit. Not because I thought I was going to get rich and rort the system for $250 a week.
Today I wake up and consider that there is no incentive for me to commence work now until July, 1st. How do I, on a part-time income, budget my expenses and then backdate a debt for this entire financial year? Did Centrelink factor that into their algorithm? I will, however, continue to meet my requirements. The Government is counting on the fear ...of people like myself ...to comply. I fear they will take away my benefit. I fear I will not be able to look after myself. I fear I am not valuable to my community. I fear there is no place for me in this world.
I am waiting for details on how to contest a debt I do not believe I owe and have lodged a complaint with the Commonwealth Ombudsmen.
They haven't really 'handled' it at all. The Government has automated a service that needs to be a human service. We are people with lives and stories...not numbers in an algorithm. Real people do not fit neatly into boxes. Individual situations need to be accounted for and this is not being done at all.
In an attempt to put the countries books back into surplus they are unrightfully attacking a vulnerable segment of the population. If they want to fix the budget black hole...go after the big corporations who have paid no tax!! I, by the way, have tax taken out of my benefit so as to acknowledge my responsibility to the community and contribute as I can.