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have been clawing my way out of debt this year only for them to drop this on me a week before xmas

Debt amount: 
$7012
Date debt issued: 
Monday, 19 December 2016
Period debt occurred: 
May 2011 to March 2013
Has your case been referred to a collection agency?: 
No
Payment Type: 
Newstart Allowance
Appealing Debt?: 
Yes in process
Tell us about your debt and how has this affected you? e.g. anxiety levels, financial and accommodation stress: 

I am a single transgender parent who works 3 jobs and have been clawing my way out of debt this year only for them to drop this on me a week before xmas. This makes me wonder why I even bother. I already suffer severe extreme depression and this just makes thing worse, especially when it's not my fault and I have continually done everything they told me to.

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

The first 2 ladies i spoke to were very accusatory in their questioning and tone pointing out facts such as i had said i would continue to look for work in an interview and "why would you do that if you were already working?" They seem to ignore the fact i was working 1 day a week and have worked 2 jobs for 5 years. They really tried to put the onus on me to admit I was stealing intentionally and would not accept they had overpaid me $50 a week which I had no idea i wasnt entitled to.