Feeling extremely anxious as Centrelink debt notices sent to my previous address just before Christmas. I never received the initial letter as I have moved house. The did not know what the very first text message was about because I am no longer on Centrelink, so I assumed Centrelink had mistakenly sent me a notice to update my income details. CENTRELINK HAVE NEVER STATED WHAT SPECIFIC PERIODS OR FORTNIGHTS THE DEBT RELATES TO. I have always updated my fortnightly income to them when I was on Centrelink, and I cannot access my fortnightly payslips as both my employers and I didn't keep them (since we don't have to legally). I have tried to speak to Centrelink on the phone and in person. Legal Aid advised me to speak to an Authorised Review Officer. When I was on the phone to Centrelink, the person recorded my appeal and then said he was transferring me to the Compliance section, but hung up on me instead of transferring (after I had been on the phone for over 2 hours). Even though I updated my address and lodged and appeal and an extension, Centrelink then sent an overdue notice for the alleged debt to my OLD ADDRESS (!!). Yesterday I went into my local Centrelink office in person. The front line customer service officer was nice but also deflected me from seeing an ARO, instead referring me to the online portal. I was in Centrelink with all my documents and I still had to go online? It is impossible to speak to person at Centrelink who can explain exactly how the debt was raised vis-a-vis my fortnightly employment income for whatever period they are investigating (which they haven't told me!). I received a call from a Centrelink staff member today saying the debt was raised by averaging my yearly income, but this is unfair as I was working casually during 2010-2012 (when I was on Centrelink and doing a Cert IV at uni as well). I had periods when I wasn't working and claiming payments, and other periods for up to 6 months when I was working and not claiming any payments at all.
It is very unfair that the Government is issuing debt notices without explaining exactly how they have arisen on a fortnightly basis, and assuming that we are guilty until proven innocent. They are deliberately blocking easy access to speaking to an Authorised Review Officer - or somebody at Centrelink who actually understands how the alleged debt was raised and can help you. The onus of proving we are innocent should not be on us; and asking people to produce payslips from up to 7 years ago is unfair. How do we know which documents to produce when they are not even telling us exactly how the debts are raised and which fortnightly periods they relate to?