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Just your average single mum

Debt amount: 
$11500
Date debt issued: 
Tuesday, 17 January 2017
Period debt occurred: 
June 2013 to June 2016
Has your case been referred to a collection agency?: 
No
Payment Type: 
Family Tax Benefit
Appealing Debt?: 
Unknown
Tell us about your debt and how has this affected you? e.g. anxiety levels, financial and accommodation stress: 

A week ago, I was fine! School year started for my kids, I've started my school year, had worked out my weekly budget and have not long finished paying off my car. We live a simple life, but we're happy. I got a message from mygov telling me to check my inbox...and honestly, it felt like the bottom of my world dropped out! 3 letters telling me I had nearly 12K of debt and a week to pay it. WTF! I've been conscious of always reporting my circumstances, because my salary goes up in increments. Im proudly independent and dont receive anything from my ex to help raise the kids. I was thinking this would be the year I could save up and finally get my own place...put a budget in place...feeling good about myself and the little world I've created for us and BOOM! Suddenly I have a huge debt hanging over my head! And they've got the nerve to go back three years! THREE YEARS! I doubt I'll ever see another family payment or tax return again!

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

They've handled it so badly, with no compassion for families and people who have tried to do the right thing. Its their mistake and they are getting away with taking no responsibility whatsoever, instead letting the voters take the fall. And they sit there in their offices, claiming all their perks and pensions while we bare the brunt of the huge mess! I honeslty thought the Australian government was better than that! I was clearly wrong!