Has anyone ever made an appeal to a centrelink decision?

[MissBrightside]

Just wondering if anyone has ever made an appeal to a decision centrelink has made regarding a payment? What was the outcome, if you have?

I just think it really stinks that I missed out on the ftb supplement. They changed the estimate in June and base the whole year on that. I didn't get any child maintenance so really was getting underpaid the whole year, but I can't prove this as was on a private agreement. My ex was on the dole most of last year surely they would be able to see this.

Do you think it's worth appealing?

I know I have had a few money related threads lately but my finances are making me sick and my ex is too busy spending money on himself and thinks his kids can wait. It shouldn't be up to centrelink to support me I know that, but everyone is entitled to the ftb supplement and it sucks that the people who really need it miss out.

[scorpio83]

My only advice would be to get CSA to collect the money. Then at least you'll have proof that you never received any child support.

[MissBrightside]

Yep have done that. Started in July, but still no maintenance.

[scorpio83]

Have you discussed it with the CSA? They mentioned somthing to me about a backpayment, but in my case I figured it wasn't worth it for the measly $8 I was entitled to per month. They can ask for bank statements to see if you've received any money from him. I figure if they haven't got proof that he paid you anything it might be possible. Good luck with it.

[sam's mum]

the backpayment is at most three months worth.

they couldn't do backpayment collection for me because we only had a private agreement as to the amount. I could show the amounts that hadn't been paid and so on - but no luck.

[MissBrightside]

I was eligible for 3 months backpay but there are reasons why I didn't go for it. My ex was very abusive to me (involved police). I had rung csa and centrelink numerous times to tell them i wasn't getting maintenance from him but I was too scared to get csa to collect for me. I know that probably sounds silly but I din't want to aggrevate an already hostile situation over money. So I made do with what I was getting. Then centrelink cut my payments in July and I had to do something about it because bills are piling up. So I rang csa and have gone through them to collect for me, but the silly ex thinks he dosen't have to pay until he does his tax return. I was relying a bit on the supplement to help with the bills. Centrelink would be able to see on their computers that he was on the dole for most of last year and wouldn't have been able to give me what he was estimated to give me.
So I just thought I could whinge a bit more to them about not getting the correct amount or maintenance as it isn't fair that they change it in June which in turn means I was overpaid the entire year. It's bull....!