Done with Centerlink

I checked my shares and they are no where near being up to the threshold so I got centerlink to scan in the latest portfolio and spent 2 hours on hold on the phone to find out why.
Centerlink now has a crystal ball in their assessments. Apparently even tho my shares are well under the threshold, they are saying on the 20th of March the stock market WILL go up and I will then be over. They are cancelling my health card and New start from the 20th. WTF!!! I could just sell them and put it all back on the house mortgage leveraged to get said shares in the first place.

@onemargie well if you can get some super I think that would be fantastic to do your Reconstruction, what a joke the waiting time is??? seriously??? 

Yes so much needs to change, sounds like you addressed everything which is perfect! Be interesting to see what they say about it all. Ohhh a health care card now that would be helpful!!!! but ohhhh no I cant even get that, I earn crap and still can't get it. A JOKE!!! . 

Bloody hell @melclarity. That’s bullshit!  I couldn’t get anything either and we used all our savings up too. And I didn’t have income protection as you know so we do know the financial struggles this shitty disease can do to us.  I was pissed off as the wait time in qld is so bloody long if I want a recon I have to claim my super for it now (even though the lady I spoke to was lovely)  or wait another 3 years.

 The system does suck and I’d actually forgetten about how you already fought til the death with your circumstances. It’s just so bloody hard and shouldn’t be. No wonder @Brenda5 can’t be snagged anymore.  I’ve written to my local member about the ridiculous thresholds to claim for any benefit and the mountains you have to climb to get a DSP and the upfront costs for prosthetics and the fact the bank l must be about to take your home and you must have practically a zero bank balance before you can claim your super for your mortgage too, amongst other things.

 At least she was proactive about my concerns but nothing is going to change in a hurry is it. I also recently wrote to the minister for human services about the same issues and he referred my complaints to the treasury dept so I’ll let you know if I hear back but I’m not holding my breath. If you work hard and pay tax your whole life you do t get shit not even a health care card to help with your meds. It’s all pretty unfair isn’t it. 

And you are right you have to laugh. And we are all DEFINATELY better than this, broke but definately better lol. I’m going to crack a Udl and order pizza. If I win the lotto this weekend love I’ll pay your tax bill!

I tried it all at the time with Centrelink, theyre view was I had to spend at least $8-10,000 of my own money before I could get sickness allowance. Whats the point? by then I was going back to work anyway. A Joke! Superannuation a no go on all fronts, I exhausted everything financially. Thankfully I found inbuilt income protection in 1 of my supers and that helped slightly. Unless you have a severe circumstances or are terminal you cannot get on the disability. Unfortunately mental health is one of the hardest things to get it for and you have to have a long history and documentation from Specialists going way back when. I don't think I gave up on any of it, I just didnt meet the criteria on any front and have had to support myself through it all. I spoke with my Accountant even at the time, literally no help anywhere. I am grateful for the very least of income protection although it was only for 2 days a week taxed doubly and now I owe the tax dept $1285 yippee because they STUFFED up the backbay originally. Money I dont have...aaaah BC the gift that keeps giving hmmm. Good luck to anyone who can get assistance I never gave up, they gave up on me. I dont care anymore, Im working full time now but my savings have gone and I cannot recover financially. All because of treatment really LOL, thats the only thing that caused it all. Aaaaah have to laugh at all...onward we go because we are so much better than all this! x

That just sucks @Brenda5. As if you haven’t had enough shit from them already and I get @melclarity why you and others give up on it all. If it’s any help and you get the energy here is the complaints/feedback  number for Centrelink   1800 132 468. I spoke to a lovely lady today about an awesome lady I spoke to about trying to claim my super for my recon who was great but it Might be worth a try if you’re up to it love or the ombudsman  could help you too.

I think if you contacted your local federal member they could represent you lovely. I know it’s a lot of stuffing around and requires energy you just don’t have and I felt the same way about the issues I had with the income protection component being cancelled with my super with no knowledge but I persisted and someone listened and at least now it’s being investigated with the super ombudsman. Will be a win for the little guy if we pull it off. 

Otherwise I have a contact at Channel 10 if you want to get really stuck into them. I bet they jump through hoops if you go public with it. Or you can email today tonight etc. I wish I was closer to help you out. Big hugs Margie xx

I agree @Brenda5 unless things are clear cut for you to get a benefit it isnt worth the heartache and stress. I don't have a choice of anything having to support myself, I have to work full time and it is hard going absolutely. x