I’ve just had my first child and applied for centrelink. I’ve found out that I owe almost $3000 from over payments I received back in 2011. Will all my ftb and parenting payments go towards the debt until it’s paid back? I don’t know what to tell my partner. He’s starting to worry about money and I don’t want to stress him out if I don’t have to. Has anyone had any experience with this?
3 Replies
They take a small amount each fortnight, maybe 50. Dont stress over this, it is what it us, 3000 will be ok to sort out. But why do you have pressure right now? Why is it all about your finances, youve just had a baby, where are his?
I had that happen last year. I agreed to pay $150 amount per week and then they also took a further 60 from my fortnightly ftb payments. Paid it off by Christmas last year
Ring them and sort out a payment plan. I freaked out when I found out we had been overpaid - same as you we’d just had a baby and my husband was a casual worker but they were super helpful and approachable in helping me sort out a payment plan. From memory it was $20 a fortnight. Nowadays I believe they also take your tax return to pay for debt rather than releasing it to you