Thread: 45 minutes at CENTRE LINK

Originally Posted by DBT

You'd think that would be the case. However the local employment service provider was the first mob they (Centrelink) palmed me off to. As you say, that made sense to me at the time.

The provider looked at my resume and said "We can't really help you. We don't get skilled jobs coming up much. We provide basic skills training. Go look on Seek".

So I said "That's fine. Please just sign my insurance claim form and I'll be on my way".

Brief look at form. "Oh we can't sign things here. You need to take that to Centrelink. It says Centrelink has to sign it. We can't do that".

... and so on, for the best part of 12 weeks. Appointments, visits, phone calls ... negotiating with insurance company as to who could endorse the form; patience, persistence, thinking dark thoughts about the insurance industry; trying very hard not to lose my **** during countless conversations. etc. etc.

It all came down to one Centrelink officer reviewing my situation 12 weeks in to the process, After I had summarised my efforts and experience to date (With a calmness I didn't know I possessed). She said "This is a bit silly, I'm going to run this by my manager and see if we can't get this form filled in for you".

About a minute later it was done.

Of course all this time I'm applying for jobs, attending interviews and paying my lease payments. If I had found a new job before the claim was approved, The insurance company may have avoided a payout. And I would be left questioning the value of such insurance in the future.

Look at the situation logically. From the content of your posts I am assuming that you are not registered with a Job Service Provider as an unemployed job seeker and have not claimed or are receiving Newstart Allowance. So, how can a Centrelink employee honestly sign a declaration that you are unemployed and actively seeking work? They don't know you. You are not a client. You could make a statutory declaration to the insurance company and they would have to accept this. If you tell a Job Service Provider that you wish to claim Newstart and need to register with them, then they must accept you.

Brian,

If i shared every detail of my 12 week experience, then all your criticisms would be addressed.

Yes, I was registered with a job search provider. It was one of the requirements. I explained that experience above.

Yes, I claimed Newstart allowance. That is how one registers as unemployed with Centrelink. I am not eligible for Newstart, due to my pay out. Nevertheless, I was required to lodge a claim, in order to be registered, in order to claim on my commercial finance insurance.

As stated, for me it was not about receiving government assistance. It was about completing due process for an insurance claim. On a policy I had paid for. And was now in an unplanned position suitable to claim against.

Rest assured, I put all your arguments - and then some - to the insurance company. But they had their own due process, which I had to follow in order to achieve a successful claim.

I'm simply sharing the experience for the entertainment of others here. I do not judge any individuals I dealt with as part of the experience, regardless of how frustrated I felt dealing with them. They behaved in line with the systems and processes they managed. However when you do meet someone who can analyse a situation and think outside the square, it's like a breath of fresh air.

If I were to give an opinion, it would be in regards to the mis-aligned requirements of the insurance policy vs. Centrelink process.

If I was feeling particularly cynical, i might add that the process seems designed to exclude self-supporting unemployed people from the unemployment stats. But I wouldn't dare do that, for fear of sparking political debate.

I have spent a fair few hours over the last few weeks waiting in the fracture clinic at the local hospital.
Quite a sight there as well.

Me, I went over the bars racing mountain bike. Sure, I caused my situation but I think I keep my self healthy and fit but to see some that were there.

Sloths.
Two people yesterday didn't even have the decency to take their sunnies off when talking with the counter staff.

Originally Posted by DBT

Brian,

If i shared every detail of my 12 week experience, then all your criticisms would be addressed.

Yes, I was registered with a job search provider. It was one of the requirements. I explained that experience above.

Yes, I claimed Newstart allowance. That is how one registers as unemployed with Centrelink. I am not eligible for Newstart, due to my pay out. Nevertheless, I was required to lodge a claim, in order to be registered, in order to claim on my commercial finance insurance.

As stated, for me it was not about receiving government assistance. It was about completing due process for an insurance claim. On a policy I had paid for. And was now in an unplanned position suitable to claim against.

Rest assured, I put all your arguments - and then some - to the insurance company. But they had their own due process, which I had to follow in order to achieve a successful claim.

I'm simply sharing the experience for the entertainment of others here. I do not judge any individuals I dealt with as part of the experience, regardless of how frustrated I felt dealing with them. They behaved in line with the systems and processes they managed. However when you do meet someone who can analyse a situation and think outside the square, it's like a breath of fresh air.

If I were to give an opinion, it would be in regards to the mis-aligned requirements of the insurance policy vs. Centrelink process.

If I was feeling particularly cynical, i might add that the process seems designed to exclude self-supporting unemployed people from the unemployment stats. But I wouldn't dare do that, for fear of sparking political debate.

Perhaps. 370,000 job seekers doesn't go in to 140,00 jobs. And that is not counting the one day a week workers , counted by Government. Doesn't count the ones that are made redundant, after the official statistics taken. Bob

Hmmm , I feel for those who cannot work for varied reasons - medical , family or social reasons . As a society we need to look out for them .

But there will always be a group who do not want to work ...

I've never been out nor lacking for work in 30years , and could not live on the 'benefits' thus I struggle to understand why wouldn't you find a job any job - I've had some shockers .
Also had my own business for almost 10 yrs and now run someone else's - oh it's a manufacturing business , and let me tell you finding staff is a challenge , no one wants to do ' labour ' it's all computers and Facebook ...

just ask my nephew , " want a job mate $20 bucks and hour 38 hrs a week "
Nah , I'm at uni and a bit busy ...
Righto busy scratching ya nuts and watching tv , Uni I only 15 bloody weeks this year .........


I enjoy my job , I like talking to people , I like delivering what they have asked for - and the product we manufacture , is a want not a need .

But everyone needs a job , and 95% of the population want one .