What should've been in the Budget:

[krazykitkat]

Funding for Centrelink staff training or hiring people who actually know what the bloody hell they're doing.

Just had to ring them for the second time this week over my healthcare card. Apparently it was processed yesterday (but they didn't call to let me know like they'd been asked to on Monday). Second time in a row they've stuffed up my renewal and I've been without a healthcare card for a week or more. When dad took the renewal down to the office he had to tell the stupid person what she was supposed to do.

The incompetence of our local Centrelink office in particular never fails to astound. We've been dealing with them for years, and the number of stuffups over Austudy (when you tell them they're paying you too much after working it out on the calculator, and they keep telling you they're paying you the right amount...then you get a letter asking you to pay them back because they'd paid you too much...suffice to say I won that round - keep records and all paperwork), healthcare cards and other things is phenomenal. Forms used to go missing between floors. A couple of years ago they sent me out a new Healthcare card, and then a week later I received a letter saying that I'd never put in the renewal. I got to keep the card, but the next time I had to fill out all the paperwork again like I was applying for the first time.

I sometimes wonder if they're trying to frustrate people so much they'll give up applying. If it wasn't for the amount of medication and rheumatologist bills, I'd probably give up.

Comments

[simplyscarlett.livejournal.com]

You have my deepest understanding - I have always thought you need a Phd in form filling and double talk to deal with them!

[spectralsoul.livejournal.com]

Sadly, the people who need the benefits the most, namely the homeless mentally ill, are denied access because they find centrelink's hoops all too difficult to jump through. These are the people who give up.

[privateuniverse.livejournal.com]

I'm fairly sure that is exactly what they are doing.

And while we are at it with the Centrelink reforms how about channeling some money into catching the actual welfare cheats instead of leaving it to sensaitonalist "current affairs" shows and not making people who actual need the money, me included jump through 101 hoops every year to prove they are still disabled (please Centrelink, if you have found a cure for Asperger's Syndrome/ataxic cerebal palsy, share it with me!)

[spectralsoul.livejournal.com]

I can't believe it!!!

A guy from centrelink just rang me for the sole purpose of informing me that I could change my details for FA online at their website. I knew that already and I imagine the vast majority would know that.

Do they have nothing better this young lad could be doing?

Of course, when they decide they need to cut your benefits, do they give you the courtesy of letting you know with a phone call???