So i just cancelled my centrelink payments which was a small amount of family tax benefit, as my partner and i get by without it. I was able to ring centrelink any cancel the payments, was asked a couple of questions and that was that. Now a friend of mine is saying that its illegal to not receive family tax benefit as she believes everyone gets it, she is essentially saying i broke the law by cancelling my small amount of family tax benefit. Surely it wouldn't be illegal, i wouldn't have been able to cancel the payments if it was. My friend has gotten me all worried now and is insisting i ring them back and ask if its illegal to do. So confused.
10 Replies
No it's not illegal. Some people opt not to receive them during the year and get a lump sum at tax time. Centrelink would have advised you if it was illegal when you rang to start with
It is certainly not illegal. many people get by through life and have never received a payment. You can opt to receive what you are entitled to at the end of each financial year if you wish. (reduces chances of over payment) FTB is there to assist families, if you don't need it there is no need to claim for it.
Lol no definitely not illegal. I actually cancelled mine a few years ago because it cost more in fuel to attend appointments than my tiny payment I received so I just cancelled it.
Your friend is a twit! It's not illegal to cancel FTB.
Good on you for standing on your own two feet! Of course it's not illegal to not claim benefits. Benefits are there to assist people who need help, they are a privilege not a right, they are not 'income' that you 'earn'. If you don't need it, you don't need to claim it. It's great you are letting someone else who needs help have the limited funds available. It's one of the reason's the government's budget in this area is so tight - because people claim every little bit they can instead of looking after themselves. In my case Centrelink tried to make me claim benefits that I was 'entitled' to that I didn't want as it would have made me deal with an ex I wanted nothing to do with. The money wasn't worth the grief, but it took some convincing to get Centrelink to leave me alone. Please stop worrying.
Of course it isn't illegal!
Bahaha. Cancelled mine about 10 years ago (or whatever the f&*k it was called then) just so I didn't have to deal with Centrelink! Life's pretty cool without the bullshit.
Might be time you found a new friend!
No way not illegal
Claiming benefits that your not entitiled to is illegal
Perhaps your friend doesn't understand the difference between 'paying tax' and 'family tax benefit'. She might think you called Centrelink to inform them you're not paying tax on your income anymore?!! Sounds ridiculous... (but so does her argument!).