Post by zingzingzing on Feb 24, 2018 12:16:49 GMT 7
Hello all,
It's been awhile since I have posted, but I am posting once again, because Centrelink is causing drama (not real surprise under this government) But anyway, I'll tell you my story so far, and see if you guys can help me again
My wife and I were living in Shared Accommodation in Sydney for about 1 year.
In 2016/2017 I found full time job as a Factory worker (on minimum wages mind you), but it was a job, in February 2017, I couldn't report my hours/wages on Centrelink online and because I was working odd hours from 7am to 3pm, I have no time to deal with Centrelink related issues, traveling on public transport for 3 hours a day, for 5 days a week and then working for 8hrs puts a tole on the morning shift workers.
(prior to this job I started to do contract IT work).
When this happened, I started to fill sick, and spent most of my time in Hospital with a Leg infection (Cellulitis that was repeated 4 times).
The doctors said at the time that if the infection spread I would loose my leg or further if it reached my heart, i could die).
So after February to say June of 2017 I was admitted to the hospital with this infection.
That time in February my pension was cancelled, and only found out in August 2017 that my Pension was suppose to be suspended not cancelled (because of the 2 year rule), so they put me on the wrong flag.
From August 2017 to October 2017 it took a month to restore my pension, and this is where more problems have arisen.
I noted down all the information, staff names and receipt numbers to keep track of.
I also confirmed and reconfirmed my payments, my addons, my section 24 application and my Unlimited Portability.
My wife and I confirmed at the time we will be heading to China for family reunion and they said it was no problem, and that your pension would remain unchanged, but your addon payments will change in December of 2017 (fair enough - no problem).
This is where all the problems started to come to light.
After leaving Australia, and headed to China, my payments were normal until december 2017 (where they said they will change), but not what they said they will change to.
My addons payments are no longer except for my Rent Assistance, this will change in April 2018).
My Base Pension amount I have lost $200 a fortnight, which is single pension rate.
Now my complaints are in the ARO process, even after calling the Minister's office, emailing them, emailing Department of Human Services and Centrelink International.
Even though when my mother spoke to Centrelink since then, they started to use excuses from "we recognize your wife now", she can work", "You write good letters, there is no problem (not exactly said, but similar) - Abit of discrimination), "Centrelink should have told you the correct things and transferred you to Centrelink International" (passing the buck to them).
My first complaint was at the end of November 2017 (29/11/2017), so it's nearly 3 months "Investigation in Progress".
My second complaint on 20/12/2017, but only on "escalated".
"Thank you for your email dated 12 January 2018 about the Department of Human Services – Centrelink (Centrelink) regarding the length of time it has taken to finalise your review."
"We are aware of the extent of the delays in Centrelink’s Authorised Review Officer (ARO) review process. We are currently monitoring the situation and will draw on your experience for our regular discussions with Centrelink about reducing ARO delays. We will not generally investigate complaints about ARO review delay until the Centrelink customer has been waiting for three months, unless there are special circumstances."
"As three months has not passed since you requested a review, I have decided not to investigate your complaint at this time."
"I suggest that you continue to enquire with Centrelink about the status of your review and keep it informed of any changes in your circumstances. If your review has not been finalised after three months, you may wish to lodge a formal complaint by contacting the Department of Human Services (DHS) Feedback and Complaints area. The contact details for DHS Complaints and Feedback are"
So Centrelink useless, Department of Human Services useless, ARO useless, Commonwealth Ombudsmen is useless. .....
:/
It's been awhile since I have posted, but I am posting once again, because Centrelink is causing drama (not real surprise under this government) But anyway, I'll tell you my story so far, and see if you guys can help me again
My wife and I were living in Shared Accommodation in Sydney for about 1 year.
In 2016/2017 I found full time job as a Factory worker (on minimum wages mind you), but it was a job, in February 2017, I couldn't report my hours/wages on Centrelink online and because I was working odd hours from 7am to 3pm, I have no time to deal with Centrelink related issues, traveling on public transport for 3 hours a day, for 5 days a week and then working for 8hrs puts a tole on the morning shift workers.
(prior to this job I started to do contract IT work).
When this happened, I started to fill sick, and spent most of my time in Hospital with a Leg infection (Cellulitis that was repeated 4 times).
The doctors said at the time that if the infection spread I would loose my leg or further if it reached my heart, i could die).
So after February to say June of 2017 I was admitted to the hospital with this infection.
That time in February my pension was cancelled, and only found out in August 2017 that my Pension was suppose to be suspended not cancelled (because of the 2 year rule), so they put me on the wrong flag.
From August 2017 to October 2017 it took a month to restore my pension, and this is where more problems have arisen.
I noted down all the information, staff names and receipt numbers to keep track of.
I also confirmed and reconfirmed my payments, my addons, my section 24 application and my Unlimited Portability.
My wife and I confirmed at the time we will be heading to China for family reunion and they said it was no problem, and that your pension would remain unchanged, but your addon payments will change in December of 2017 (fair enough - no problem).
This is where all the problems started to come to light.
After leaving Australia, and headed to China, my payments were normal until december 2017 (where they said they will change), but not what they said they will change to.
My addons payments are no longer except for my Rent Assistance, this will change in April 2018).
My Base Pension amount I have lost $200 a fortnight, which is single pension rate.
Now my complaints are in the ARO process, even after calling the Minister's office, emailing them, emailing Department of Human Services and Centrelink International.
Even though when my mother spoke to Centrelink since then, they started to use excuses from "we recognize your wife now", she can work", "You write good letters, there is no problem (not exactly said, but similar) - Abit of discrimination), "Centrelink should have told you the correct things and transferred you to Centrelink International" (passing the buck to them).
My first complaint was at the end of November 2017 (29/11/2017), so it's nearly 3 months "Investigation in Progress".
My second complaint on 20/12/2017, but only on "escalated".
"Thank you for your email dated 12 January 2018 about the Department of Human Services – Centrelink (Centrelink) regarding the length of time it has taken to finalise your review."
"We are aware of the extent of the delays in Centrelink’s Authorised Review Officer (ARO) review process. We are currently monitoring the situation and will draw on your experience for our regular discussions with Centrelink about reducing ARO delays. We will not generally investigate complaints about ARO review delay until the Centrelink customer has been waiting for three months, unless there are special circumstances."
"As three months has not passed since you requested a review, I have decided not to investigate your complaint at this time."
"I suggest that you continue to enquire with Centrelink about the status of your review and keep it informed of any changes in your circumstances. If your review has not been finalised after three months, you may wish to lodge a formal complaint by contacting the Department of Human Services (DHS) Feedback and Complaints area. The contact details for DHS Complaints and Feedback are"
So Centrelink useless, Department of Human Services useless, ARO useless, Commonwealth Ombudsmen is useless. .....
:/