I received my 1st letter from Centrelink, claiming that I had under-declared my earnings by $220 for the 2011-12 tax period. I rang them and they said unless I could provide them with payslips or other evidence to the contrary, then I owed them $780 (including the collection fee). I was unable to provide a complete set of payslips because this was from 5 years ago, so I had to accept the debt. I have had my DSP reduced by $30 a fortnight until October 2017 in order to pay back the debt.
I received my 2nd letter from Centrelink claiming that I had under-declared my earnings for the 2012-13 tax period. This time they told me I owed them $1400 approx. I was not on benefits for 6 months of this tax period because I was actually able to work full-time at the time, and Centrelink would not have been aware of how much I earned for this period, as I did not have to report it to them. Luckily I still had nearly a complete set of payslips. I challenged their information. And I received a letter a few weeks later stating that I did not owe Centrelink the $1400.
I have suffered from lifelong Chronic Clinical Depression (lack of serotonin in the brain with grey brain tissue deficits). With the help of medications and support, I have been able to work in the past....but the work stresses combined with symptoms like insomnia, fatigue, anxiety, general moodiness, have made it impossible for me to find a job that is sustainable for me year in year out.
Receiving Centrelink's debt collecting letters were just another kick in the gut for me. I was 2 months away from getting married, for the first time in my life, never even had a partner before who accepted my disability. It was so upsetting and stressful to have to worry about and prove that I did not owe one of the debts, and also to have to take a cut in my DSP to start paying off one of the debts....when I had needed every dollar in preparation for the costs of my modest Wedding. I wish I had never bothered to get a job back then....I shan't be bothering to ever again if Centrelink i going to do this to people.
The fact that they are sending out debt notices without having reviewed the customers full tax return is very unethical, in my opinion. I am unhappy about this as the $220 that they said I had not declare, was most likely my uniform allowance of $6.10 per week...I didn't know I had to declare this. The Tax department would have records of this, but Centrelink would not even bother to review it. And sadly, I don't have a complete set of payslips to prove otherwise, so I'm lumbered with paying a debt.
On a further note, Centrelink demands 100% accuracy with the reporting of income....! However, Centrelink makes people report their income estimation a few days before they get their payslips. If you are a shift worker it is difficult to add up all the different hourly rates...with the precision of an accountant. There needs to be exceptions made when the figures are out a little bit, because most people who are on benefits are not Accountants or maths whizzes.