Go to top of page

Totally emotionally and physically exhausted.

Debt amount: 
$4095
Date debt issued: 
Wednesday, 28 December 2016
Period debt occurred: 
December 2016 to January 2017
Has your case been referred to a collection agency?: 
No
Payment Type: 
Family Tax Benefit
Appealing Debt?: 
Yes but I lost
Tell us about your debt and how has this affected you? e.g. anxiety levels, financial and accommodation stress: 

I was honest and changed my income estimate and was sent an owing notice. At the same time I lodged a carer's allowance for my Autistic son and after many hrs on hold I was told that I have to wait around 2 mths for a carer's allowance, yet my son has specialist appointments now! And that's why I had to get a job. As I can't afford the specialist, yet my son also needs me! So I work night duty. Totally emotionally and physically exhausted.

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

FTB would only give me a payment plan, even though they still say the debt occurred as I changed my income estimate! And my carer's allowance has been lodged Dec 2016 and it was lucky enough to be backdated to the diagnosis date, but may take several months to be processed. And I am supposed to be lucky, as of 01/01/2017 they will no longer backdate carer's allowance! I am so frustrated and confused with the whole system. It has certainly let the average person down.