I’m not sure what I need right now..but please don’t be negative and bash me, trust me I’m doing it enough myself.
I’m freaking out so much, I feel sick to my stomach and I just can’t do anything..
I’ve been claiming a Centrelink payment for a couple of years now. My circumstances changed and I didn’t update them because every time I’ve dealt with them they’ve stuffed something up and I’ve not been paid properly etc..the reason I didn’t change my circumstances with them is because I knew (100% positive) that I was still eligible for a different payment which would have been the same amount, very similar criteria. They’ve just found out and I have no idea what’s going to happen. It will be a lot of money (possibly something around $25k) that they’ve paid me. I understand I did the wrong thing but I just didn’t think it would be such a big deal because I met/meet the criteria for the other payment and it’s the exact same amount.
I’m freaking out that they’re going to take me to court and I’ll end up in jail. I have four children that I’m the primary carer for. The guy I spoke to basically said it didn’t matter that I would’ve been able to get the same amount, different payment, I still had to apply and i’ve done the wrong thing.
We’ve dealt with so much for so long now, health issues including cancer, financial struggle..I know it might seem like i’m making excuses, but I’m not..I just truly didn’t think it was a big deal because I would’ve been getting the same amount anyway..I feel like an idiot and that i’ve ruined my family’s life. I don’t know what to do or who to turn to. It’s so shameful I can’t tell anyone we’re close to. I’m just lost..
18 Replies
You've made a really big mistake, one that you made consciously knowing you were doing it and making a choice to still not do the right thing and declare a change in circumstance. You need to be responsible for your actions and just say yep, look I did the wrong thing.
There's a few things that can happen, chances are you're going to have to pay them back the full amount, for 50k I doubt you'll go to jail but there is always a possibility especially now you've admitted that you did this intentionally. As in, you intentionally were doing something fraudulent.
I'd start looking at ways to get finances sorted in order to pay them back. Sell the home, re-mortgage, borrow funds from family members.. just anything. Try to save yourself having to declare bankruptcy.
I am owning this, I’m not trying to get out of it, sorry if it sounded like that. If I have to pay them back I will but because of circumstances over the last few years I don’t have anything to my name. I have a second hand car, we rent, due to a failed business I went bankrupt about four years ago and couldn’t do that this time anyway as it’s a commonwealth debt..I don’t have family with money, they struggle as it is too..
No you don't sound like you are at all, I meant that you need to just admit fault to CL especially if you go to court. I'd definitely contact a lawyer though and find out what this means for you.
If you can't pay the money back, more than likely it will mean jail time. However, they can make you pay it back over time, cut future payments etc. to make this happen.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing, don't beat yourself up. Right now, look after yourself and your family, especially looking out for your mental health.
Thank you..I’m more than happy to pay it back over time. I plan to call legal aid tomorrow and get their advice.
Which two payments were they? Some can be back paid and others can't. If the payment you were supposed to receive can be back paid then you might break even.
https://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/find-legal-answers/centrelink/centrelink...
It mentions here to seek legal advice so I'd do that.
Can you be back paid for the other one?
It's one of those things where it's not about the money in a sense. You have knowingly and fraudulently claimed the incorrect payment.
As an example: It would be like claiming a disability pension but staying on that payment after your circumstances changed when instead you should have changed to single parent pension.
Fairly similar payment rates i beleive but you still fraudulently claimed the incorrect initial payment after your circumstances changed . Thats why its a big deal.
No judgement from me, I know how hard life can get sometimes.
My only suggeation is to get legal representation now and follow their advice.
Good luck.
Unfortunately you always agree to the payment proviidng facts are corrwct, and to informing them as soon as any thing changes.
Regardless, stress and shame are terrible things to bare alone, please choose a good friend or two to confide in, someone who you can say yes I've done wrong but now here I am, I'm so stressed please help me through this.
No advice sorry. Just sending you love and strength through this and want to say how proud I am to see women supporting women. We're not all perfect and we all make mistakes. No matter the severity, we can help each other build ourselves back up.
Keep us updated on how you go with legal aid.
Sounds like you’ve had a rough few years, I’m sure all of that will be taken into consideration.
Good luck IM ❤️
Soooooo many people do this. Your best option is to talk to them over the phone asap. It seems scary but they dont want to ruin families they want to help you. Talk to them sort out a payment plan. They can be very flexible. I owed 10k paid it off at 115 per week over 2ish years including taking my tax return it's all gone in 4 weeks .
If you cant pay the minimum they will work with u. They just want the cash back it's better to deal with them as you pay no interest
You won’t go to jail. I mucked up about 8 years ago, ended up with a 22K debt and paid it back $100 out of my allowance. Took 6 years.
How does one woman who posted recently about her marriage to someone and wondering what to do for Centrelink purposes, get bashed for posting about what to do, when she just wants to do the right thing , when this poster here , who deliberately never informed Centrelink, gets nothing but understanding? I’m amazed how many women had a go at the lady who posted about what to do financially when she marries, but yet this OP has a pity party . Stay consistent, it’s not fair to give one woman a bashing , and another your sympathies.
Two completely different situations. One is a struggling single mum, who has obviously been through hell the last few years, the other one has the support of a married man, emotionally, physically and let’s not forget he earns 150k but is still looking for a hand out. If you can’t see the difference, you have little perspective.
Either way lady , BOTH of them have RIPPED off Centrelink ! If anyone needs to look further , it’s you . Do not feel sorry for one , and not the other. A rip off is a rip off .
Yes I agree they have both ripped off Centrelink, however, most things aren’t black and white and every story we assess on here is on its own personal merit.
I also note that one has no remorse, feels justified even though she has been in a relationship serious enough to become engaged and subsequently married, whilst claiming single parenting whilst the other, who was eligible for a similar payment is very sorry for what she has done.
One I feel needs Centrelink to survive, whilst the other it’s extra pocket money because her partner doesn’t want to share his money and she wants to start a business. She also feels justified taking from Centrelink rather than living within her means.
There has been a general consensus on both posts, so I’m not the only one who feels this way.
Black and white thinking is dangerous and very narrow minded, that’s why in the court of law, circumstances around the crime are always considered. A woman kills her abusive husband versus a woman murders a man to get his assets. They’re BOTH murderers, the caps for added effect.
You will be fine love they will calculate what you owe and organise for you to pay it out of your family tax benefit. Stay positive mumma everything will work out. If you haven’t recieved any documents from federal police then you won’t be going to jail. They just want what you owe them back
Definitely get legal advice. I had a friend taken to court by Centrelink for much less and an honest mistake. She ended up with a 3 month suspended jail sentence. I hope everything works out for you.