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Appealed and debt was reduced significantly.

Debt amount: 
$5000
Date debt issued: 
Friday, 1 July 2016
Period debt occurred: 
February 2016 to June 2016
Has your case been referred to a collection agency?: 
No
Payment Type: 
Disability Support Pension
Appealing Debt?: 
Yes & I won
Tell us about your debt and how has this affected you? e.g. anxiety levels, financial and accommodation stress: 

I am writing for my son who is a diagnosed schizophrenic.
After being released from hospital suffering pychosis he was struggling to attend university and provided medical certificates from the hospital as well as pychiatrist to centrelink as required.
In July after a relapse my son received a debt of $5000. My son was still recovering and this caused extreme anxiety and stress. After gathering evidence and many months appealing the debt it was dropped to $600 which I feel was not owed, but my son paid as he didn't want the stress of appealing.

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

The government need to make sure they have all the information before a debt is sent. After making sure we provided all the correct information during his relapses, which includes medical certificates and many trips to centrelink we did not expect any debt.