Post by genx on Mar 2, 2024 12:37:57 GMT 7
au.finance.yahoo.com/news/centrelink-recipient-sick-with-anxiety-after-payments-abruptly-cut-off-022557426.html
AI summary of the article.
The article from Yahoo Finance AU by Tamika Seeto discusses the distressing situation of Meredith, a former academic and a Centrelink recipient in South Australia, who has been left traumatized after her JobSeeker payments were abruptly suspended. Meredith, who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), was depending on her $958 fortnightly payment. The suspension came after a miscommunication regarding her mutual obligation requirements, further complicated by the rejection of her application for a Disability Support Pension, which she applied for based on her psychologist's recommendation.
The suspension of her payments has left Meredith without any income, forcing her to consider using her limited savings to manage her expenses. This situation has led to significant anxiety, particularly given her previous negative interactions with Centrelink, which have exacerbated her PTSD. Meredith's attempts to contact Centrelink have been fraught with difficulties, including long wait times and being hung up on, despite her efforts and strategies shared on social media to improve her chances of getting through.
The broader context of Meredith's story highlights systemic issues within the Centrelink system, including unanswered calls and a significant backlog of unprocessed claims, prompting calls from more than 1,100 people for urgent reforms. The Australian Unemployed Workers Union (AUWU) has initiated a petition demanding emergency measures to address these issues, including suspending mutual obligations and debt recovery, and reinstating COVID-era changes to asset tests, waiting periods, and eligibility tests.
Services Australia's general manager, Hank Jongen, has acknowledged the problem, apologizing for the longer-than-desirable phone wait times and the inconvenience caused to recipients. The article underscores the critical need for reforms within the Centrelink system to better support its recipients, especially those in vulnerable situations like Meredith.
AI summary of the article.
The article from Yahoo Finance AU by Tamika Seeto discusses the distressing situation of Meredith, a former academic and a Centrelink recipient in South Australia, who has been left traumatized after her JobSeeker payments were abruptly suspended. Meredith, who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), was depending on her $958 fortnightly payment. The suspension came after a miscommunication regarding her mutual obligation requirements, further complicated by the rejection of her application for a Disability Support Pension, which she applied for based on her psychologist's recommendation.
The suspension of her payments has left Meredith without any income, forcing her to consider using her limited savings to manage her expenses. This situation has led to significant anxiety, particularly given her previous negative interactions with Centrelink, which have exacerbated her PTSD. Meredith's attempts to contact Centrelink have been fraught with difficulties, including long wait times and being hung up on, despite her efforts and strategies shared on social media to improve her chances of getting through.
The broader context of Meredith's story highlights systemic issues within the Centrelink system, including unanswered calls and a significant backlog of unprocessed claims, prompting calls from more than 1,100 people for urgent reforms. The Australian Unemployed Workers Union (AUWU) has initiated a petition demanding emergency measures to address these issues, including suspending mutual obligations and debt recovery, and reinstating COVID-era changes to asset tests, waiting periods, and eligibility tests.
Services Australia's general manager, Hank Jongen, has acknowledged the problem, apologizing for the longer-than-desirable phone wait times and the inconvenience caused to recipients. The article underscores the critical need for reforms within the Centrelink system to better support its recipients, especially those in vulnerable situations like Meredith.
