Go to top of page

Stressed and pregnant

Debt amount: 
$6000
Date debt issued: 
Thursday, 1 December 2016
Period debt occurred: 
July 2014 to October 2016
Has your case been referred to a collection agency?: 
No
Payment Type: 
Family Tax Benefit
Appealing Debt?: 
Yes in process
Tell us about your debt and how has this affected you? e.g. anxiety levels, financial and accommodation stress: 

I've had 4 different letters for 4 different amounts. Many hours in the phone, in person meetings, 'alleged' phone calls from appeals team...no never got them. All for an amount they have decided I owe from when I was actually a single parent with no financial support from the father. They have it all on file that I told them I was partnered and in full time employment but apparently they've overpaid me. No interest in all the day care statements that show the money stopped at the time I told them of this, no interest in looking at my bank acc statements that show I haven't received anything. Just the same response 'but the tax office says...'. Bub number two is due in two weeks. I've spent the best part of my third trimester of a high risk pregnancy stressed over this. I'm trying my best to get it sorted but they don't want to sort it. At this rate I'll be forfeiting my maternity pay to clear the debt. I just spent the last two years clearing all my debts so I could have a stress free maternity leave...fat chance of that! Thanks Centrelink!

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

Ridiculous. I'm so stressed, upset and angry and they are not even interested in helping.