Too many questions from Centrelink

joolz · 30-11-2011, 11:59 PM

Ok, my now fiancee was honest to Centrelink and told them she was moving in with me in late December ( can’t move until her daughter finishes school). She works full time and has a 12 year old (not mine). So now Centrelink wanted to know how much our estimated combined income was which was over the $100k so all benefits that she was receiving are instantly lost (a whole $25 p/w) Now this is what annoyed me. They then wanted a copy of my super balance, a copy of my separation papers (recently made redundant) and the value of my FG XR6. Now all this even though she will receive zero in benefits. I just started a casual job 3 weeks from being unemployed for 3 months and have never been on the dole in my life. Looking back now maybe it would have been better off on the dole! But hey I’m an Aussie and ask for no handouts. This is what you get for being honest, am I entitled to be a little annoyed...

vztrt · 01-12-2011, 12:06 AM

If all benefits are lost why not just call them and cancel everything? Is there any benefit with dealing with them?

Also I know about the questions. I went through this with my father when he went on disability (8 months from going on the aged pension).

Uncle Niceguy · 01-12-2011, 12:11 AM

to cut it short no. purely because they need these details to give u an accurate answer to what your applicable for and also how much your entitled to for instance when i was going to high school i applied for youth allowance but and this has nothing to do with me they needed my Parents financial details even though in my opinion i was totally independent since i was forking out for the usuals i was classed as "dependent" of my parents, since i wasn't 21 yet and because i was not living outside of home.

ps. when you tell them income they want to know gross income (before expenses e.g., tax, super, salary sacrifices etc.)

joolz · 01-12-2011, 12:24 AM

We are entitled to nothing based on our combined gross income which I think is fair. What got me after they said benefits will be cancelled they still wanted to know all my info even though I have never received any payments from Centrelink in my life nor has my fiance cheated them. I’m sure they know more about me than me as they are boasting on ACA all the time about cross checks and all that.
I want to talk to them myself but im sure ill get ****ed cause first ill be on hold for ages then secondly i have a job to go too and thirdly i hate paying more taxes than i already do..

Spudz27 · 01-12-2011, 01:04 AM

If she is just moving in, I was under the impression you are not classed defacto until such time as you have lived together for 1yr. So your income should not matter. Again I may be very wrong. We will lose our entitlements soon, even though I no onger work and my fiance earns on 40k gross, but I will receive 30-40k from an estate, so they will consider it income, even though I won't be living off it as my gran would not have wanted it used as income, even in my current situation. The kicker is I will be paying off 1 car and all other debts, about 20k total, but they will then use the value of my now owned asset (car) against us. I know someone who was told to sell their car (worth 16,000) buy a 2000 banger and come back when the money is gone.

nstg8a · 01-12-2011, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spudz27

I know someone who was told to sell their car (worth 16,000) buy a 2000 banger and come back when the money is gone.

i see nothing wrong with that. dole should be only there as a emergency last resort, not something to keep the lifestyle going.

pottery beige · 01-12-2011, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nstg8a

i see nothing wrong with that. dole should be only there as a emergency last resort, not something to keep the lifestyle going.

still got me stuffed how the great un washed doleys manage to get fat, smoke, drink, gamble or maintain drug habits........

Spudz27 · 01-12-2011, 03:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nstg8a

i see nothing wrong with that. dole should be only there as a emergency last resort, not something to keep the lifestyle going.

Really? You have worked hard for what you have, paid tax etc, but lose your job and the government has the right to tell you to sell the reliable trouble free car, worth around 14k (not some gt or hsv here) and buy a 2000 vehicle riddled with issues, not fit to drive 400kms to go to specialists etc, just so they can continue supporting the bludgers whilst you sell off everything you have worked hard for, so they don't have to help you. Makes you wonder why we bother working.

NudgE^SIKBRO · 01-12-2011, 06:02 AM

We had similar dramas a few years back, CentreSlack wanted to know the ins and outs of our lives just so they could continue not paying us (which was fine by us) the bit that rubbed me up the wrong way was when they sent me a letter saying i would recieve a fine if i didn't provide all my details.

Rambunctious · 01-12-2011, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joolz

We are entitled to nothing based on our combined gross income which I think is fair. What got me after they said benefits will be cancelled they still wanted to know all my info even though I have never received any payments from Centrelink in my life nor has my fiance cheated them. I’m sure they know more about me than me as they are boasting on ACA all the time about cross checks and all that.
I want to talk to them myself but im sure ill get ****ed cause first ill be on hold for ages then secondly i have a job to go too and thirdly i hate paying more taxes than i already do..

You are now, or going to be, a couple and as such you're fiancee has given Centrelink verbal information, they want it in writing.

Give them what they require, it will keep you in good with them for the future because you never know when you just might need them again.

Oh,and one more thing, Centrelink will not talk to you about your fiancees situation unless she has given them written authority for you to speak on her behalf.

MAD · 01-12-2011, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spudz27

If she is just moving in, I was under the impression you are not classed defacto until such time as you have lived together for 1yr. So your income should not matter. Again I may be very wrong. We will lose our entitlements soon, even though I no onger work and my fiance earns on 40k gross, but I will receive 30-40k from an estate, so they will consider it income, even though I won't be living off it as my gran would not have wanted it used as income, even in my current situation. The kicker is I will be paying off 1 car and all other debts, about 20k total, but they will then use the value of my now owned asset (car) against us. I know someone who was told to sell their car (worth 16,000) buy a 2000 banger and come back when the money is gone.

In centrelink's eyes, you are defacto the mintue she moves in.
I came across this situation when I started uni and moved out with my GF at the time. The kicker for this was that while I was living at home, I had been classed as independant due to earning enough one year, so my parents wages were not considered, but I was still living in a household with an income of around $120k, but the minute I moved out with the GF and into a household earning $28k I was now a dependant and she was supposed to support me, pay rent, bills etc. Some stuff just doesn't make sense.

If they are a friend there is another form (yes ANOTHER one) to fill out that is basically a stat dec saying you are not a couple, just friends.

I wonder if they paint you with the same brush, as qucikly as this, if your best male mate moved in.

aussie muscle · 01-12-2011, 09:39 AM

a lot of centerlink's rules seem to be measured to keep you on the bottom rung of society. the minute you make any money, you're docked, so you actually don't get ahead.

TheSneakiness · 01-12-2011, 11:03 AM

The problem I have with Centrelink is their useless phone service. Just as bad as Vodafail. The only benefit we're entitled to is the CCR and CCB.

I won't go into child care as I also have very strong opinions about the so called care as well.

**El Venom** · 01-12-2011, 11:17 AM

Centrelink is shocking. They want lots of info even though your wont receive benefits and then because your in there system you can get a fine and if you try to do anything about it they will say it was a glitch and its there fault but you still need to pay.

Then people can somehow get particular payment when another person who probably need it more cant. For intance, I can have periods where I appear to have a stroke and have partial or near total paralysis lasting hours to days and I it can happen once month or 2-3 times in one week and each time we never know how long the symtoms might last. Now I am expected to go out and work. Sometimes I can tell when one the the stroke like events is happening but sometimes I cant, so how can I be expected to work full time? I do try to work when I can but I am very limited as after some of these strokes I am very weak (my 9 month old daughter is stronger then me at some things) but my wife who has a full time job can get a disability pension because she has depression.

How does that work?

I say if your in a situation where you dont need to deal with them, stop dealing with them and dont give them any info

Ford_The_Win · 01-12-2011, 11:52 AM

Ahh good old Centrelink, they never disappoint to fail. They wanted to put me on 'Work For The Dole' even though I was working full time and had done so for months, but because I was still on their computers... They are a clumsy and useless organisation, the public sector at it's worst. I feel sorry for the robots that work in there though, the crap they must have to go through... the OH&S and political correctness would be enough to drive anyone mad let alone dealing with their clients.

FGII-XR6 · 01-12-2011, 12:12 PM

they tried this we will fine you for not providing info so we don't pay you I used some colourful language and challenged them to do so. that was 4 years ago nothing has happened so the fine threat is just a big bluff

GT0132 · 01-12-2011, 12:14 PM

The way I see it just because you start living together your income should not come into it as, presumably, she gets the family payments in order to support her daughter. So unless you're contributing to her daughters living expenses its not fair that she should lose the benefit on those grounds alone.

When my ex wife's boyfriend moved in with her she whinged about losing the family allowance because of his income now taken into account, so probably a situation not dissimilar to yours. However I was quite pleased about that seeing I'm paying her a huge amount of child support per month plus she gets all these government handouts - back to school allowances, stimulus grants etc...things that I never see also being a parent.

Does her ex pay child support?

Mitch_ · 01-12-2011, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spudz27

I know someone who was told to sell their car (worth 16,000) buy a 2000 banger and come back when the money is gone.

that sounds made up... While i was unemployed I had savings in my account and my 20k car and was still allowed to collect the dole.

Lukeyson · 01-12-2011, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joolz

Ok, my now fiancee was honest to Centrelink and told them she was moving in with me in late December ( can’t move until her daughter finishes school). She works full time and has a 12 year old (not mine). So now Centrelink wanted to know how much our estimated combined income was which was over the $100k so all benefits that she was receiving are instantly lost (a whole $25 p/w) Now this is what annoyed me. They then wanted a copy of my super balance, a copy of my separation papers (recently made redundant) and the value of my FG XR6. Now all this even though she will receive zero in benefits. I just started a casual job 3 weeks from being unemployed for 3 months and have never been on the dole in my life. Looking back now maybe it would have been better off on the dole! But hey I’m an Aussie and ask for no handouts. This is what you get for being honest, am I entitled to be a little annoyed...

The $25p/w you are referring to is that from Single Parenting Payment or Family Tax Benefit ?

P.S. I am one of the robots Ford_The_Win feels sorry for

SteveJH · 01-12-2011, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lukeyson

P.S. I am one of the robots Ford_The_Win feels sorry for

Hmm....I might be seeing you in a couple of weeks then.

I finish university in two weeks and will be moving back to Coffs, I assume you will want my life story.

Spudz27 · 01-12-2011, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rapid_Axe

The problem I have with Centrelink is their useless phone service. Just as bad as Vodafail. The only benefit we're entitled to is the CCR and CCB.

I won't go into child care as I also have very strong opinions about the so called care as well.

Yep I rang family services this morning as we got a please explain letter due to the huge and sudden difference in income estimate. So I spend 25mins on my mobile and finally get through, explain everything and get told I had been re rerouted to Youth services for some reason and I need to go back to Family services. After yet another 10mins on hold (35mins in total now) I got disconnected, so in the end I took my seperation certificate to the local office and it was sorted in 5mins. Couldn't believe it, I was expecting a huge wait, but the place was deserted, there was a whole 3 people there. So from now on I might try my luck with the actual office rather than phone.

I was asked if I would like to see someone about entitlements, to which I replied no thanks, because I had already done an online estimate and they were offering $11 per fortnight, so it was easier for me not to worry about it, then I was offered disability assesment because of my heart condition and recent surgery, to which I also declined with the answer "although I have this condition I don't consider myself in need of disability as I am capable of doing most jobs, and to be fair disability is for those who really need it". The lady was very surprised by my answer and continued to say but I could get a heaalthcare card etc for my meds (which I must admit I do mss since I lost it), but again I said no because my finace got a new one with our income estimate change and I am listed. I think she was very surprised.

pundit · 01-12-2011, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitch_

that sounds made up... While i was unemployed I had savings in my account and my 20k car and was still allowed to collect the dole.

Agreed! My mate has a 15k car and lost his job, went on the dole for several months and they didn't care.

vztrt · 01-12-2011, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aussie muscle

a lot of centerlink's rules seem to be measured to keep you on the bottom rung of society. the minute you make any money, you're docked, so you actually don't get ahead.

Maybe because welfare is there to help you meet the shortfall in your earnings. At the end of the day the money comes from the tax payer.

joolz · 01-12-2011, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lukeyson

The $25p/w you are referring to is that from Single Parenting Payment or Family Tax Benefit ?

That was for single parent as she is moving in with late this month.
Anyways its all sorted now after she spoke to someone else. He just cancelled everything and no documents required. I have no idea what the other woman wanted to know all the ins and outs about me!.

Keepleft · 02-12-2011, 01:47 AM

Some 7 million Australians or families receive some form of Centerlink support I read.

Prediction, see what happens if the Eurozone currency collapses, as even GB prime minister Cameron warns ( vis; disaster for Britain despite having kept its currency. UK Foreign Office warns GB citizens in member states to be prepared and warns of civil unrest). Our domestic treasury has as we know of late tightened some of the expenditures, but if EU collapses, and it'd stuff the world, the Centrelink payments, and wages generally (public & GovCo sectors) will be cut, or IOU'ed etc.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/poli...ice-warns.html

http://www.arabianmoney.net/us-dolla...of-euro-chaos/

Hope it doesn't happen of course, but... disruption would be the order of the day. Food, oil etc. I'd be expecting food coupons, that sort of response.

Mean no offense. Just can't trust bolshies.

Fev · 02-12-2011, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pundit

Agreed! My mate has a 15k car and lost his job, went on the dole for several months and they didn't care.

Just because you own a vehicle doesn't mean they won't give you the dole - why would you think that? 80% of people rely on cars to get to work, for work etc etc. Do you think they think that refusing unemployment benefits and forcing people to sell their modes of transportation is going to help them find work?

TheSneakiness · 02-12-2011, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spudz27

Yep I rang family services this morning as we got a please explain letter due to the huge and sudden difference in income estimate. So I spend 25mins on my mobile and finally get through, explain everything and get told I had been re rerouted to Youth services for some reason and I need to go back to Family services. After yet another 10mins on hold (35mins in total now) I got disconnected, so in the end I took my seperation certificate to the local office and it was sorted in 5mins. Couldn't believe it, I was expecting a huge wait, but the place was deserted, there was a whole 3 people there. So from now on I might try my luck with the actual office rather than phone.

I was asked if I would like to see someone about entitlements, to which I replied no thanks, because I had already done an online estimate and they were offering $11 per fortnight, so it was easier for me not to worry about it, then I was offered disability assesment because of my heart condition and recent surgery, to which I also declined with the answer "although I have this condition I don't consider myself in need of disability as I am capable of doing most jobs, and to be fair disability is for those who really need it". The lady was very surprised by my answer and continued to say but I could get a heaalthcare card etc for my meds (which I must admit I do mss since I lost it), but again I said no because my finace got a new one with our income estimate change and I am listed. I think she was very surprised.

Yeah, we had a dispute with our child care center regarding sending the CCR directly to the center so we are out of pocket less per week, my wife tried calling 5 times to no answer, and when she finally got through, was on hold for 35 minutes before talking to someone.

And don't you love being honest and watching people's reactions to it?