I switched from Newstart to Austudy and also received income protection. Apparently that effected Newstart, but not Austudy. I told them about the extra payments on at least 10 occasions and sent them proof of it on at least 4 occasions. The first letter stated I owed nearly 12k. I asked for a review and it went down to 9k. I have asked for a further review, down to 7k. I've asked for yet another review. I sent off for my records under the Freedom of Information act, at least 6 months ago and have heard nothing.
This is an absolute joke. What if I had just accepted the first amount? That would be $5k that I would have paid without owing it! Also making people pay money back while their case is under review is ridiculous. I was told if they made a mistake that it would be paid back to me. This is useless to me as I can't pay my rent NOW. The stress and anxiety I get when having to spend countless hours on the phone and everyone I speak to tells me something different. Teach your staff properly. I thank the one man who actually SAW how many times I have contacted them and the numerous occasions of when I told them about my extra income. Apparently none of the assessors can find this same information that the one staff member told me he was looking at. Thanks to him I have already reduced the debt significantly by filing reviews. I have not $1 left after the measly payments anyway. I have worked consistently and am only on benefits now due to a severe leg injury. Thanks for increasing my stress significantly when I should be concentrating on physio etc so I can go out and get a job again. Thanks for kicking me while I'm down.