Centrelink, claiming the Aged Pension. Grrrrrrrrr!

[V8Ian]

A friend is trying to claim the Aged pension, having qualified at the beginning of last month. It would appear that the ridiculous hoops Centrelink make an applicant go through, are designed to frustrate and dissuade the continuance of the application.

One of the assessment questions is "Have you ever received Workers' Compensation?"
Cenrtelink are not just referring to a compensatory pay-out, but all claims, no matter how short and only covering lost wages! They want exact dates and amounts. Who can remember that from up to fifty years ago? How on earth can this impact upon the eligibility for a pension?

To exacerbate the situation, once Centrelink have all the requested information, it takes four months to process. How do Centrelink expect people who have lived from pay to pay, to survive for four months without income?

This is a disgusting way to treat people after fifty years of hard graft!

[87County]

Without intending to make this a political post which will be deleted, the only things left are solid continuing complaints to the local members and anyone else who will listen including newspapers and radio, and direct complaints to the minister - if these people can be made to see that it will affect peoples' perception of them they may act.

They do seem to follow the precept that if the wheel doesn't squeak - then there is absolutely no need for them to oil it.

Threaten to, and remember to use, the ballot box effectively

[Tins]

They do seem to follow the precept that if the wheel doesn't squeak - then there is absolutely no need for them to oil it.



Perhaps we should insist that they drive Defenders as their Government supplied cars. They may learn the error of those ways..

[V8Ian]

Perhaps we should insist that they drive Defenders as their Government supplied cars. They may learn the error of those ways..
Don't reward them, make them drive Hyundai Getzes. :bat:

[Ausfree]

When I went on the aged pension a couple of years ago, I do remember the question about workers compensation, but it was easy for me I had no claims on workers compensation at all. I remember having to make an appointment for an interview with Centrelink, but I cannot remember waiting four months for the application to be processed..........seems a bit long????:confused:

[Mick_Marsh]

There is a way to deal with government departments. Put yourself in their mindset.
Each question needs a response. Right or Wrong doesn't enter into it. That box just needs to be ticked.

If your mate doesn't remember workers compensation payouts from fifty years ago, chances are Centrelink has no idea either. The answer to the question would be "No".
Only put down stuff from the recent past. If you can't remember it, either will they.

If they do, deal with it then.

[austastar]

Hi,
Yep it was quite arduous, but not impossible. Birth certificates were hassle for SWMBO with interstate issues and certified ID being asked for while we were touring, but we got there with a small allowance in the end. Only of course to loose it when they lowered the threshold.

The concessions were worth more than the payment.

Cheers

[rick130]

Without intending to make this a political post which will be deleted, the only things left are solid continuing complaints to the local members and anyone else who will listen including newspapers and radio, and direct complaints to the minister - if these people can be made to see that it will affect peoples' perception of them they may act.

They do seem to follow the precept that if the wheel doesn't squeak - then there is absolutely no need for them to oil it.

Threaten to, and remember to use, the ballot box effectively
This.

Remember, Centrelink don't make the rules, they are given the unenviable task of enforcement. ;)

[87County]

This.

Remember, Centrelink don't make the rules, they are given the unenviable task of enforcement. ;)

... there are some there that appear to enjoy doing it

[DiscoMick]

I see 42 million telephone calls to Centrelink failed over the last year, up from 16 million the previous year. Making it harder to get information is one way of discouraging people from claiming their rights.

Centrelink phones 'busy' 42 million times | SBS News (http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/06/02/centrelink-phones-busy-42-million-times)

[Tins]

I see 42 million telephone calls to Centrelink failed over the last year, up from 16 million the previous year. Making it harder to get information is one way of discouraging people from claiming their rights.

Centrelink phones 'busy' 42 million times | SBS News (http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/06/02/centrelink-phones-busy-42-million-times)

Just for comparison, I just waited 9 minutes to get answered at CAV.

[V8Ian]

I assisted in the initial application, my advice, which was taken, was to put NO in that box, assuming that they were looking for large sums.

The form was handed into a bricks and mortar Centrelink office, (frowned upon) where everything was double checked. It was revealed that there had been a minor compensation claim over twenty years prior, but that was just a few days of wages coverage.
That brings into play a new form to be filled out.

Fortunately my friend had one employer for the last thirty years, a State Government department. After the usual run around and numerous phone calls, a couple of hours later, the person with the information is finally reached and told of the situation. This person states that Centrelink need to make the request and email the appropriate form, it will then be filled out and returned.

Centrelink are then told of the situation, after waiting over an hour on hold. They further state that they have no email facilities and it is the claimant's responsibility to furnish the information, not theirs to acquire it.

An appointment has been made with the local Member of Parliament.

[jonesfam]

Think I will work until I die![bigsad]

That will be shortly the way work has been going![tonguewink]

Let SWMBO worry about the pension.[biggrin]

Jonesfam

[trog]

Working til death seems the easier option .

[incisor]

Yep..

Is an absolute disgrace the way aged pensioners are treated with complete contempt these days

About time those with their nose in the trough are made accountable IMHO

[Fatso]

I must have struck it lucky ,when i applied a few years ago i arrived with all the paper work as requested and forms i was given completed had an interview with a nice lady and all done . in a few weeks the concession card along with the relevant info was given and that,s it .

I dont bother trying to ring i just update the relevant info in change of circumstances etc and post off reply paid , since i finally made it to the full Pension i don,t even hear from them anymore . [bigsmile1]

[87County]

I must have struck it lucky ,when i applied a few years ago i arrived with all the paper work as requested and forms i was given completed had an interview with a nice lady and all done . in a few weeks the concession card along with the relevant info was given and that,s it .

I dont bother trying to ring i just update the relevant info in change of circumstances etc and post off reply paid , since i finally made it to the full Pension i don,t even hear from them anymore . [bigsmile1]

Unfortunately fats, applicants are not treated that way anymore, and the staff who were good at their work back then (public servants) have mostly been cashiered.

I don't think it will be long until our northern neighbours with fictitious first names like Nathan and Bruce will be answering the centrelink phones

[V8Ian]

For those of you approaching this time of life, you can apply for the pension thirteen weeks before you are eligible, minimizing the waiting time. Most people are, as my friend and I were, unaware of this.

[trog]

The rules hoops etc will change more often than my socks before I am able to legally retire . But in my misguided Uni days the talk was 55 as the golden age. How I was suckered

[V8Ian]

You'll have to work 'til you die just to pay off the new A Break buster. [wink11]

[trog]

Thanks mate , I haven't even picked it up yet and the euphoria has been blown away ! Maybe it will fit in your trailer , then I can definitely follow you up A break 😈
Hopefully in the near future the whole Centrelink thing will find a better system

[Shortie]

Had similiar issues when I helped a friend complete his form a few years ago, the only good thing was they back paid him from the inital date of application.
It is all different now, they like everything to be done on the stupid MyGov website and not by telephone or in person - if you check any correspondence from them you will note there are no longer any telephone numbers listed.

[V8Ian]

Had similiar issues when I helped a friend complete his form a few years ago, the only good thing was they back paid him from the inital date of application.
It is all different now, they like everything to be done on the stupid MyGov website and not by telephone or in person - if you check any correspondence from them you will note there are no longer any telephone numbers listed.
Exactly! Many people in this age group struggle with computers etc. My friend can B-Pay but not email.
I have another friend who doesn't even own a mobile phone.

[Tins]

Had similiar issues when I helped a friend complete his form a few years ago, the only good thing was they back paid him from the inital date of application.
It is all different now, they like everything to be done on the stupid MyGov website and not by telephone or in person - if you check any correspondence from them you will note there are no longer any telephone numbers listed.

Shudder MyGov Website shudder.Who came up with that? Oh, and then there are the Apps. Apple have been doing Apps for ten years, Android a bit less. If I get on a 'plane, I can organise for a car to be waiting for me, pretty much anywhere in the world, when I land. I drove into Townsville about 18 months ago in a B-double, and there was a car alongside my truck by the time I idled down, and yet our government ( not political, mods, ANY government ) can't create an app that even works. God help you if you forget your password.

My mother will be 99 next month. How do you think she copes?

[Pickles2]

I have visited Centrelink,...a most unpleasant experience.
However, when I read in the press about the number of dole bludgers who do not even turn up for job interviews, but still are allowed their benefits, but then i read about the issues in this thread, I am convinced that there must be double standards existing in Centrelink,....which I do not doubt for one moment.
Pickles.

[Tins]

dole bludgers .

There is an issue, right there. Stereotyping is not helpful. Many who are on the 'dole' would actually like a job. The system these days is not geared to helping, it is geared to penalising. So, we call disadvantaged people "bludgers". We say, "no work where you are? Move to Broome". Well, it might work, but not for long. People need their family.

I have worked pretty much all of my life. I have taken jobs that most people wouldn't ( drove a Western Star once, V8Ian ), and found myself once in Mitchell, Qld., with no job, and my (then) wife and newborn in Brisbane, with no money, no job, no car, no nothing. This was in the early 80's. Did anyone care? In those days it was the DSS. To get any help from them I had to be unemployed for twelve weeks, and I had to prove that I had been seeking work for all that time. Dunno if anyone here has been to Mitchell, but if you have, think back to 1984. The only jobs there were on the weir, and I'd just been sacked from that. No guaranteed separation in those days. You had to fight, and fighting took money. Oh, did I mention that in order to get a job there in the first place meant joining the AWU? Well, it did. Did they help me? Guess.

Pickles, I know what you are saying. I see people every day who choose not to help themselves. I have no sympathy for them, but I really feel for the poor buggers who want to have a go, but don't want to be baristas, which seems to be the only way forward in this current world.

Oh. Did I get home? Yes, I hitched, something that seemed reasonable in those days. Made no difference though, she left me anyway.

[Tins]

There is an issue, right there. Stereotyping is not helpful. Many who are on the 'dole' would actually like a job. The system these days is not geared to helping, it is geared to penalising. So, we call disadvantaged people "bludgers". We say, "no work where you are? Move to Broome". Well, it might work, but not for long. People need their family.

I have worked pretty much all of my life. I have taken jobs that most people wouldn't ( drove a Western Star once, V8Ian ), and found myself once in Mitchell, Qld., with no job, and my (then) wife and newborn in Brisbane, with no money, no job, no car, no nothing. This was in the early 80's. Did anyone care? In those days it was the DSS. To get any help from them I had to be unemployed for twelve weeks, and I had to prove that I had been seeking work for all that time. Dunno if anyone here has been to Mitchell, but if you have, think back to 1984. The only jobs there were on the weir, and I'd just been sacked from that. No guaranteed separation in those days. You had to fight, and fighting took money. Oh, did I mention that in order to get a job there in the first place meant joining the AWU? Well, it did. Did they help me? Guess.

Pickles, I know what you are saying. I see people every day who choose not to help themselves. I have no sympathy for them, but I really feel for the poor buggers who want to have a go, but don't want to be baristas, which seems to be the only way forward in this current world.

Oh. Did I get home? Yes, I hitched, something that seemed reasonable in those days. Made no difference though, she left me anyway.

I ummed and ahhed about deleting that post, but hey, let it stand.

[DiscoMick]

I have visited Centrelink,...a most unpleasant experience.
However, when I read in the press about the number of dole bludgers who do not even turn up for job interviews, but still are allowed their benefits, but then i read about the issues in this thread, I am convinced that there must be double standards existing in Centrelink,....which I do not doubt for one moment.
Pickles.
In many cases the people who don't turn up didn't receive notice of the interview and so didn't even know about it. I know people like that.

When our oldest son was at university Centrelink LOST his complete file. Rather than admit their incompetence they just cut off his money and left him penniless. Then they demanded he re-produce every document he had ever given them, which took some time to obtain. Eventually they then made him wait several weeks before they restarted his Austudy - without any backpay.

[Roverlord off road spares]

In many cases the people who don't turn up didn't receive notice of the interview and so didn't even know about it. I know people like that.

When our oldest son was at university Centrelink LOST his complete file. Rather than admit their incompetence they just cut off his money and left him penniless. Then they demanded he re-produce every document he had ever given them, which took some time to obtain. Eventually they then made him wait several weeks before they restarted his Austudy - without any backpay.
The onus seems to be on you to ensure all is correct and what you are entitled too. They don't really help you and advise what you are legally entitled to.The staff are not qualified in the field. We have a compensation claim against them at the moment for lack of duty of care. when their staff enter information into the system incorrectly, even though you provided all the correct information , when they stuff up you have only 13 weeks by law to appeal, over that time they say "go whistle dixie"!
My Gov is a joke, you are often referred to go online when you go online the relevant thing is not there so you have to go in person to centrelink offices, there the ill informed staff say do it online.
Take medicare claims on my Gov, I tried on a Pc to enter the info and got rejected every time, when going to medicare office they informed me the Mygov claims for medicare only works on a phone app not on the big computers as they called it""
Getting harder and harder these days, I think it is to wear you out from claiming things , hence saving the Government money as people give up on legit entitlements

[jerryd]

Don't reward them, make them drive Hyundai Getzes. :bat:

Nothing wrong with a Getz Ian.............the wife drives one .......:toilet:

[V8Ian]

Nothing wrong with a Getz Ian.............the wife drives one .......:toilet:
I rest my case.
Don't tell her I said that. :no2:

[Pickles2]

I ummed and ahhed about deleting that post, but hey, let it stand.

Nothing wrong with it, nothing wrong with any good discussion.
And for sure, there are genuine "people" who would really like to be employed, I get that, I know of people who have made literally HUNDREDS of applications before they got a job,...it's bloody tough, for sure.
But, I read the papers, listen to the media, and it was only in the press a couple of days ago re the number of welfare recipients who hadn't turned up for job interviews, when they were supposed to, but were still receiving benefits, when, in terms of the legislation, they shouldn't be.
I understand that there are many reasons why someone might not be able to find work,...location, age, physicality, family,..all sorts of reasons for genuine people who really do want work,.....and of course for these people that are really trying, I have no issue at all, and can only wish them luck, in finding gainful employment.
Pickles.

[Roverlord off road spares]

In many cases the people who don't turn up didn't receive notice of the interview and so didn't even know about it. I know people like that.

When our oldest son was at university Centrelink LOST his complete file. Rather than admit their incompetence they just cut off his money and left him penniless. Then they demanded he re-produce every document he had ever given them, which took some time to obtain. Eventually they then made him wait several weeks before they restarted his Austudy - without any backpay.
We have had battles with them re our son at uni with the incompetence of centrelink staff. they entrered the wrong info into the system, we did not know about this, then 6 months later when he reapplied they toild us he missed out on entitlements in the previous 6 months, they admitted it was a staffer error and the apply for back payment. which we did, then they hid behind the law of you need to apply within 13 weeks of the initial event and said bad luck, even through all the follow up processes going higher and higher they admitted they stuffed up, but the law is the law. We took it to tribunal and it was clear they stuffed up , but the arbitrator can only go on law, 13 weeks.

I have a sister that got retrenched and is out of work, she has to report to centerlink re work, she was recently in hospital and had complete knee replacements, she then was admitted to a live in rehab centre after the op. She notified centrelink about this, then she gets a call from centre link whilst she is in her hospital bed reminding her of the appointment the next day. She again tells them she is in hospital as she had told them previously, again they claim they have no record of it so she had her payment stopped .
Oh and don't rely on the " This conversation might be recorded " and asking fir a reference number. When you bring that up later, they claim they don't record the conversation and the number given is only a reference number that you made and inquiry, but not something you can use to prove your case as no specific details are there to help you.
They are the worst dept to try and deal with, they seem to be untouchable for redress.

[Mick_Marsh]

and it was only in the press a couple of days ago re the number of welfare recipients who hadn't turned up for job interviews, when they were supposed to
Typical misinformation in the press.
I've been there. Had my benefits cut.
What happens is Centrelink make an appointment for you. A bull**** nothing appointment. You spend money (a rare resource) to get to the appointment. What is the appointment for? To watch a role playing video of some paid actor saying it is bad to collect newstart and have a paid job. I spent $20 in transport fares to see this! They're not job interviews. Centrelink don't find you jobs. Then another company such as "Matchworks" calls you in for another interview. "Have you found me a job?" No, this was just for me to sign a form to say I was still looking for a job. I missed one of these appointments. I then get called into Centrelink to be told my newstart is being cut for a period of time. You know the funny thing about that, they weren't paying me anything.
Oh, and why did I miss the appointment? I had a job interview.
When Matchworks found out about it, they called me wanting to know all the details. They even wanted to talk to my new employer. The sneaky bastards wanted to get paid by the government for placing me in a position of employment they had no hand in.
Stuff 'em.

So, penalising the unemployed for not turning up to a job interview, fine. Penalising them for not turning up for bureaucratic bull**** and then the press depicting the truth as the lie "job interview" and stigmatising people who are down on their luck as criminals, society needs to take a good long look at themselves.

Sorry, seeing the demise of manufacturing in this country and seeing good people cast onto the scrap heap, what you typed (and I quoted) really got my hackels up.

[Pickles2]

No worries at all Mick, I am absolutely confident that there are too many rorters in the system, just as I'm equally confident that many good people are finding it difficult to get a job, I've not denied that, nor will I, there are plenty of genuine people out there,....but there also,..the others.
This is not C.A., so I'll just say, anyone can see examples of the rorting, in many forms, in the media, every day. What I'm saying is that if someone doesn't comply, their benefits should cease.
Pickles.

[jonesfam]

Some of the stuff these people come up with is quite amusing.

Where we are we often employ people that have been unemployed long term.
I put them on, given them their hours, they come in & then because they are casual & still receiving some benefits they have to go for an interview during work time?

So, they get higher benefits because they are paid less because they were away from work doing an interview to tell someone how much they were paid so they don't get paid to much in benefits.

Sir Humphry - where are you?

Jonesfam

PS We don't even have Health Concession cards for our Foster kids because I will not sit there & be treated like an idiot by a complete idiot!

[ATH]

I can't remember the cook or me having any probs. as we turned the age where we could get the pension. I did most of it online as I'm reasonably computer literate and only trouble since was when filling in a claim form for medical benefits but that got sorted quick at the office.
I had more trouble many years ago with a minor clerk at the "chat" as we used to call it in the UK (where I came from anyway) when being out of work due to a job finishing. Dole then was based on how much you'd earned the year before and what I would get was more than the clerk would get for sitting on his arse for 40hrs a week. He was most indignant about this but when I politely explained some of the places I'd been and the conditions I'd worked in and what I'd gone without while he was cosy in his own bed, he shut up.
I'm sure most of the CL people here are just trying to work within confusing rules so we can only blame the useless governments and top buearacrats for the problems. Maybe if they make it confusing enough we'll all go away.
Armadale WA has got a definite image problem anyway and this sort of reporting does them no good at all but don't tell that to the idiots reporting it in the most flamboyant way possible.
AlanH.

[trog]

I guess since placing a value on the person for just being themselves doesn't cut it with everything being counted to the micro penny . Interesting though I did read a post a while back where some countries were re introducing a form of social credit , built into the wages I think
As for the CL employees , often like I have seen elsewhere , the ones that actually care about achieving the correct outcome are often forced out as they aren't meeting quotas.

[Pickles2]

I guess since placing a value on the person for just being themselves doesn't cut it with everything being counted to the micro penny . Interesting though I did read a post a while back where some countries were re introducing a form of social credit , built into the wages I think
As for the CL employees , often like I have seen elsewhere , the ones that actually care about achieving the correct outcome are often forced out as they aren't meeting quotas.
Trog, could you please explain what you mean by "they aren't meeting quotas"?
Not a trick question by the way!!,...I mean you could mean, knocking back too many, or giving out too much?!
Thanks, Pickles.

[UncleHo]

I am of the opinion that for one to get a position in a Govt department be it State or Federal one has to fail the intelligence test,and the greater failure the higher grading in one's department,I have several family friends that are,or now retired Public Servants a few would be challenged to tie their shoe laces!

I wonce was placed in a clerical position with the NSW health dept,as a DSS retraining initiave during a down turn in the automotive industry in the 60's (govt credit-squeeze) I was given a job of opening and sorting the incoming mail,on one ocassion I had to ask the advice of the person at the desk alongside of me as he had been there 10+ years,to my suprise,he replied "I don't know what goes on on your desk,I only worry about mine, WOW!!!,

I went down to see the boss to see if I could do something else,and finished up driving the courier car delivering the files to the various Hospitals,Sydney north in the morning,south in the afternoon,what a lark!!

cheers

[ATH]

"I am of the opinion that for one to get a position in a Govt department be it State or Federal one has to fail the intelligence test" I like that. I was one of around 400 bus drivers in Perth caught up in the then governments mad dash (1998) to privatise the drivers as they were too expensive for the superannuation scheme plus they actually had to pay us a reasonable wage.
They made us sit an exam to qualify for the 3 RRRs.... redundancy, redeployment and retraining. They were shocked when nearly everyone past it with flying colours so they set us another test in an effort to shrink the numbers.
That failed as well and they had to place us across the public service in all areas. I stuck it out as a finance officer for 10 years until I retired and glad I was to get out. I'd never come across such a back stabbing bunch trying to get themselves up above others and the upper level idiots who had no real position anywhere who just went from department to department as re-deployees whose jobs had been lost in the latest reshuffle.
Totally demoralising for all caught up in the constant effort to make the government look like it's doing something and I bet many CL employees are just trying to hang onto their jobs.
If there's a problem, it's come from on high where they never have to compete for a job.
AlanH.

[Pickles2]

Only been to Centrelink a couple of times,..just after I retired, to learn a few facts as to how current legislation & "rules" applied to me. A friend of ours who had recently been to centrelink suggested we talk to this particular person, who was very good, so we tried to speak to that person, who, after a lot of beaurocratic bull**** was allowed to speak to us.
However, the next time, our reference number was "referred", despite our preference to speak to our previous contact, to a different person, who had no ****ing idea. Luckily, at this stage, I was self supporting, but in view of what I experienced, I was, & am, eternally grateful that I do not have to have any asociation with them.
Pickles.

[Tins]

I am of the opinion that for one to get a position in a Govt department be it State or Federal one has to fail the intelligence test,and the greater failure the higher grading in one's department,I have several family friends that are,or now retired Public Servants a few would be challenged to tie their shoe laces!



It really depends on what section they are in. My daughter works for CAV ( consumer affairs ). She is a bright and gifted person, and she gives her all to her position. My son in law is a highly placed member of the same department ( unrelated, not the same daughter if that makes sense ). They both hate the "public face" as much as we do. The "public face" is a deliberate action by Governments everywhere. It is despicable, but it's policy. My daughter could tie her shoelaces, and then yours, and make you a cup of coffee, and tell you why you are at fault, or not, with a supplier or service, before you sat down. She would then go on to tell you the specifics of the particular legislation, and advise you of the proper course of action, before you tasted the coffee. I'd be happy to introduce you to her. I'd suggest you do a little training first, or else you will be tied in knots.

Everyone has stories about their dealings with bureaucracy. It's a little tiresome to hear that ALL public servants are to be tarred with the same brush. It is also complete nonsense.

[Mick_Marsh]

It really depends on what section they are in. My daughter works for CAV ( consumer affairs ). She is a bright and gifted person, and she gives her all to her position. My son in law is a highly placed member of the same department ( unrelated, not the same daughter if that makes sense ). They both hate the "public face" as much as we do. The "public face" is a deliberate action by Governments everywhere. It is despicable, but it's policy. My daughter could tie her shoelaces, and then yours, and make you a cup of coffee, and tell you why you are at fault, or not, with a supplier or service, before you sat down. She would then go on to tell you the specifics of the particular legislation, and advise you of the proper course of action, before you tasted the coffee. I'd be happy to introduce you to her. I'd suggest you do a little training first, or else you will be tied in knots.

Everyone has stories about their dealings with bureaucracy. It's a little tiresome to hear that ALL public servants are to be tarred with the same brush. It is also complete nonsense.
I've had dealings with consumer affairs. My early dealings weren't very helpful. I had paid for a job that wasn't completed or rather my father paid on my behalf. The tradie refused to come back and complete the job. Oh, he got more cash out of my father than he quoted. Consumer affairs couldn't do anything about it.
Lesson learnt. The next tradie who didn't finish the job got told "Cash on completion." Management of the company got told the same when they called me. The fellow they sent to negotiate settlement got told same story and was shown the unfinished work. The tradie that turned up to finish the job got paid.

Then, some years later, a second call to consumer affairs. Someone left some fertiliser in my driveway and demanded payment. They got their debt collectors on to me. I sent off registered letters to the company and their debt collectors worded in the way the nice girl from consumer affairs (your daughter possibly, John) suggested and the problem went away. As it turns out, the fertiliser company delivered the neighbours fertiliser to the wrong address as the sales people had mistyped the house number. I found this out when relating the story to the neighbour. She told me her fertiliser order from that company never arrived.

Anyway, consumer affairs were very helpful AND, although they were unable to answer my call, they did call back.

Yep, don't lump them in the same apple barrel as Centrelink.

[Tins]

I've had dealings with consumer affairs. My early dealings weren't very helpful. I had paid for a job that wasn't completed or rather my father paid on my behalf. The tradie refused to come back and complete the job. Oh, he got more cash out of my father than he quoted. Consumer affairs couldn't do anything about it.
Lesson learnt. The next tradie who didn't finish the job got told "Cash on completion." Management of the company got told the same when they called me. The fellow they sent to negotiate settlement got told same story and was shown the unfinished work. The tradie that turned up to finish the job got paid.

Then, some years later, a second call to consumer affairs. Someone left some fertiliser in my driveway and demanded payment. They got their debt collectors on to me. I sent off registered letters to the company and their debt collectors worded in the way the nice girl from consumer affairs (your daughter possibly, John) suggested and the problem went away. As it turns out, the fertiliser company delivered the neighbours fertiliser to the wrong address as the sales people had mistyped the house number. I found this out when relating the story to the neighbour. She told me her fertiliser order from that company never arrived.

Anyway, consumer affairs were very helpful AND, although they were unable to answer my call, they did call back.

Yep, don't lump them in the same apple barrel as Centrelink.

CAV would probably have helped with a VCAT application. But you won't always get a good CAV operator either. The one thing I have learned is to document every call, every conversation, noting the time, the name of the person you are dealing with, and the time on the call. You can get a bit more serious, and ask for their specific ID, which they can't refuse to give you. Tell them you are doing this. They record calls. If you have details as I've said, it helps them to go back and find the call. Don't get you hopes up though, as the recordings will NEVER be used in your defence, but they won't be used against you either. They simply help to get the one hundredth person you speak to on the same page. It is NOT the fault of the person you happen to have come through to on your latest call. It is the fault of the system you have found yourself in. I would say, think carefully about how you vote, but I truly doubt that it makes any difference, apart from the numbers of bureaucrats employed.

Oh, Mick? If you got a nice girl, it probably wasn't Jem.

Lol. Not true, she's priceless. But I pity anyone who takes her on. Verbally or physically. We call it "Terminator Mode", and it ain't pretty. She'll probably wind up Premier. I sincerely hope I'm not here to see it.

[Bigbjorn]

Had similiar issues when I helped a friend complete his form a few years ago, the only good thing was they back paid him from the inital date of application.
It is all different now, they like everything to be done on the stupid MyGov website and not by telephone or in person - if you check any correspondence from them you will note there are no longer any telephone numbers listed.

Regional office phone numbers have not been publicised since the first tele-service centres opened over 20 years ago. The idea of the centres was to take the telephone workload away from the processing staff in the offices. You will usually find a local number on a letter from the regional office so you can contact the author. Centrelink management are cunning and change the numbers every couple of years to frustrate and confound those clients who zealously record and guard a local number to avoid tele-service phone queues.

[CraigE]

About to get worse with our very astute government about to give a large chunk of Centrelink to SERCO to run. I am sure they will be great, just look at their detention centre and prisoner transport record.

[87County]

Unfortunately fats, applicants are not treated that way anymore, and the staff who were good at their work back then (public servants) have mostly been cashiered.

I don't think it will be long until our northern neighbours with fictitious first names like Nathan and Bruce will be answering the centrelink phones

Unfortunately, my earlier prediction about subcontracted phone answering for CL has come true

[trog]

There is a good fictional account of this , a movie called I Daniel .Blake.

[1950landy]

Only been to Centrelink a couple of times,..just after I retired, to learn a few facts as to how current legislation & "rules" applied to me. A friend of ours who had recently been to centrelink suggested we talk to this particular person, who was very good, so we tried to speak to that person, who, after a lot of beaurocratic bull**** was allowed to speak to us.
However, the next time, our reference number was "referred", despite our preference to speak to our previous contact, to a different person, who had no ****ing idea. Luckily, at this stage, I was self supporting, but in view of what I experienced, I was, & am, eternally grateful that I do not have to have any asociation with them.
Pickles.
I too had to deal with once about a Medicare matter that was 4hr's time to be told they could not help & had to do it on line . I had already spent hours on line going around in circles Grrrrr
Centrelink are like most gov departments , they work in the theory that if they muck you around enough you will go away & not come back. [bigsad] same as going to Qld Transport you can askthe same question of 10 people there & get 10 different answers & not one of them correct.

[Fatso]

As a pensioner it is getting harder and harder to talk to anyone at centrelink , so for the last couple of years i just inform them by mail now to the Canberra Address , they say do this and do that on line ,but i just do this and do that by letter and let them contact me if there is a problem . They say i must advise them of any changes so i certifi the mail and keep coppies of all contact and updates , lot less stress for me .

[Ausfree]

As a pensioner it is getting harder and harder to talk to anyone at centrelink , so for the last couple of years i just inform them by mail now to the Canberra Address , they say do this and do that on line ,but i just do this and do that by letter and let them contact me if there is a problem . They say i must advise them of any changes so i certifi the mail and keep coppies of all contact and updates , lot less stress for me .

Good idea, as a fellow pensioner (still working part time) I take your advice on board.[bigsmile1]

[Chops]

I'm still trying to figure out how the suits expect broken bodies to hold out for so long [bighmmm]

If they had done any real work in their lives, I'm sure they'd think differently.

It'll certainly prove interesting in a couple of years when I'm done and dusted for manual labour.

[Ausfree]

I'm still trying to figure out how the suits expect broken bodies to hold out for so long [bighmmm]

If they had done any real work in their lives, I'm sure they'd think differently.

It'll certainly prove interesting in a couple of years when I'm done and dusted for manual labour.
Have to agree there. I have yet to see a 70 year old roof tiler or brickie or chippie. I think the answer is............they just don't care as long as they are doing OK.

[jx2mad]

My situation has changed having sold my Sydney house. I am now over the limit for pension.. They are impossible to contact by phone so I logged into my system and updated my cash holding. I will probably still get paid because I have not heard from anyone to discuss my situation. Probably have to pay it all back if they take too long.

[101RRS]

I have never had anything to do with Centerlink at anytime in my life - yet two years ago they snaffled my tax return for an unpaid debt - Centerlink says I have a debt but cannot explain and I should talk to the tax office and the tax office says they just repond to Centrelink and do not actually check if the debt it real - they just pay it.

I did manage to get through to someone in Centrelink and they would not believe I have never dealt with them - I must be lying but while they had my tax fie number I did not have a Centerlink customer number - no action via either department until I lodged a formal complaint with both when then I started to talk to people with a bit of commonsense - still had to walk Centerlink through the fact that how could I have a debt if I have never been a customer and was not in their system. The penny started to tumble at that point. The tax office just took the view that they do not check other departments work and just hand my money over.

In the end - the usual - someone elses debt and when they typed in the tax file number to recover the debt from the tax office they made a typo and my TFN went in - not even cross matched to a customer number - no checking - we never wrong sort of approach.

I even got to the stage of discussing with a solicitor to start legal action against both agencies but resolved before anything was needed.

I was amazed at the incompetence of both agencies but I was also amazed how easy it was just to ring them up - waits were always short - seems to be vastly different to everyone else - but nothings happens until a complaint is lodged.

garry

[Ausfree]

Garry, don't be amazed, incompetence is usual in gov. departments.

[Gordie]

People, if you get the 'run around' from a govt dept...go straight to an MP or better a minister. Having worked in a govt dept where 'ministerial complaints' came through from members of the public...everyone jumped and jumped quickly to sort it. Only way to do it.

[101RRS]

Garry, don't be amazed, incompetence is usual in gov. departments.

I wouldn't quite agree there - however as far as Tax and Centrelink is concerned I do agree.

[Fatso]

[QUOTE
I even got to the stage of discussing with a solicitor to start legal action against both agencies but resolved before anything was needed.

I was amazed at the incompetence of both agencies but I was also amazed how easy it was just to ring them up - waits were always short - seems to be vastly different to everyone else - but nothings happens until a complaint is lodged.

garry[/QUOTE]

Maybe if owe them money they answer the phone quick time Lol. [smilebigeye]

[AndyG]

computer says no, david williams, little britain animated GIF | PopKey (http://popkey.co/m/brka9-computer+says+no-david+williams)

[Bigbjorn]

My situation has changed having sold my Sydney house. I am now over the limit for pension.. They are impossible to contact by phone so I logged into my system and updated my cash holding. I will probably still get paid because I have not heard from anyone to discuss my situation. Probably have to pay it all back if they take too long.

Money from sale of a principal residence is exempt from the assets test for a certain period if you state you intend to buy another principal residence with the funds. Pass the time limit and it becomes an asset so don't dither about purchasing. Of course, any change left after purchase is automatically an asset. This can cause some heartburn particularly for ex-Sydney people who have sold very high value real estate and bought in cheaper locations. A friend sold his Coogee house for $3,100,000 and bought twice the house at Coolum Beach for $670,000. He griped that he lost his Age Pension. Oh, poor bugger me.

[austastar]

Hi,
You can bank the money in a special account for that.
It earns no interest (for you) but Centerlink regards the $ as your bricks & mortar.
Cheers

[AndyG]

Money from sale of a principal residence is exempt from the assets test for a certain period if you state you intend to buy another principal residence with the funds. Pass the time limit and it becomes an asset so don't dither about purchasing. Of course, any change left after purchase is automatically an asset. This can cause some heartburn particularly for ex-Sydney people who have sold very high value real estate and bought in cheaper locations. A friend sold his Coogee house for $3,100,000 and bought twice the house at Coolum Beach for $670,000. He griped that he lost his Age Pension. Oh, poor bugger me.
A quality problem to have