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Colossal Stress

Debt amount: 
$8600
Date debt issued: 
Monday, 12 August 2019
Period debt occurred: 
July 2013 to June 2016
Has your case been referred to a collection agency?: 
No
Payment Type: 
Parenting Payment
Appealing Debt?: 
Yes in process
Tell us about your debt and how has this affected you? e.g. anxiety levels, financial and accommodation stress: 

Initially in June 2019 on my gov it showed I had an overpayment of $23000, which I rang centrelink about at which time I asked that they provide me with detailed and fortnightly information of how this debt was calculated. They did not provide this. since then I received a debt of $8600 with no evidence on how they came to that amount other than the ATO and centrelink matching. I've provided what information I can regarding my income and am waiting the next bit of the process.

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

I'm frustrated that any discrepancies are not resolved in the financial year they are realised as I always though was the case, as I more often than not received tax repayments and family tax repayments. I'm upset, stressed, worried, anxious and angry, this feels like a massive punch in the face as I have worked as much as seemed possible as a single parent, and regardless of my efforts I feel swamped now by debt that I can't afford!!
Really sad to hear so many people are going through this!
Mostly the people I have spoken to have been kind, but it is a system issue that penalises the people in need of the most support.