During the time frame they say the debt was accumulated, I was not required to report my income. This was while I was a at university.
I recieved a letter stating that I did not have to report to recieve youth allowance and I received payments without having to declare anything.
4 years later they are now telling me I must pay the money back. I EARN $400 A WEEK because I have relocated with a small business and am starting from scratch.
I have been accused of everything under the sun by them to try and blame me. I did everything as I knew I was supposed to. I have taken it to the AAT and am now waiting on a result.
SICK I feel effing sick!
They have been so aggressive toward me over the phone. I have been accused of intentionally not declaring my income. I was accused of not telling them I had employment. I was accused trying to cheat the system. Although All this can be proved otherwise from the documents from my application.
When I applied to have the decision appealed by centrelink they apparently 'could not find evidence' of the letter stating that I did not have report. However I was able to provide this later to the AAT.
Now hoping on a decision, as it takes me 3 months to even earn the amount they want, and that is on a break even basis.