My 20 year old son has recently had notification from a Debt Collection Agency with regard to Centrelink payments...

We do not want to pay the bill. We are not expecting Centrelink to then reimburse us. We would just like it to go away. Both of the officers I have spoken too at Centrelink can see where I am coming from. He was entitled to assistance, but was claiming under the wrong banner. I also feel that they should be targeting Me. All of the paperwork etc was instigated by myself. Human services is such a hard department to get through too if you dont have passwords reference numbers etc and 16 year old children are not responsible for this nor would centrelink deal with them at the time. It seems to be an issue because he didnt stay at TAFE. TAFE couldnt give me a definite answer at the time if he was in or out.

Hi Leon, No I am not sure exactly what he would have received re payments, but I do know it is more than Youth Allowance. I will have to go back through old Centrelink laws to find out, unfortunately I dont have a lot of time. I just find it strange that they will sit back for 4 years and wait until he is old enough to chase him even though the so called ''fraud'was committed when he was a minor. I also find it annoying that Centrelink said that it would not be followed up back in 2011. You hear of 16 year olds committing horrible crimes but are not held accountable because of their age. I get frustrated when the Gov hands out so much money everywhere else and now we have to pay back something we were actually entitled too. Regards Judi

Hi Leon, yes I believe we should have applied for New Start or Job Seeker, they change the names all the time it is hard to keep up with their laws. They want send him to Jail will they?

Hi Leon,

Yes, Thats great it gives me an avenue to follow up. Its a case of me not understanding the system at the time even though I had tried to make enquiries. Perhaps Centrelink needs to invite the parents to the Schools when children are leaving year 10 or 11 and advise them on how the system works. Thankyou for your time and advice. Greatly Appreciated.

Regards

Judi

Hi Leon,

One thing that surprises me in all of this is why they did not contact me first. I was the point of contact on the paperwork at the time, the money was being paid into my bank account not my sons because of Centrelink Policy. It was to be disbursed under my direction. He physically didnt receive the money from Centrelink. Youth Allowance took place of Child Endowment. He actually found himself a job. Well done. I would them send him $100 one week, then $100 the next so he could pay for his rent and food. My self and his father assisted him financially when we were able too. The decision was then made to return home because of cyclones. Anyhoo raving on. Thanks again. Regards Judi

Thankyou