Help - Missed Baby Bonus Payment

[Bearskin]

I had my (1st) DD last November and the hospital gave us our forms to complete as we left.

13 weeks of a colicky, refluxy bubba later (and a husband away at leats 5 days out of 7) I completed the forms and posted them to Family Assistance as we are in a rural area.

I didn't hear anything for a couple of months (assumed they take ages to process anything) so rang ATO and they tell me that they never received the forms for DD birth, they would need to be completed again and that I was now ineligible for the $3000 baby bonus because 26 weeks had passed since DD birth. I pointed out that it wasn't my fault ATO lost the forms; they said its my problem as I didn't send it by registered mail. DD wasnt registered with Medicare either, so the poor doctor hadn't been paid either.

I can appeal this however does anyone have any experience with this? Has anyone appealed this type of decision?

Thanks in advance :)

[DQ]

I thought the forms for this paymet went to Centrelink or Family Assistance Office? Maybe you should get in touch with them and see what they say?????

[Bubble*Crazy]

I've not had any experience myself (I'm a bit of a nazi when it comes to paperwork!) - contact Centrelink/FAO or your local medicare office as they also handle all this.

I know of the 26 week period and all, but I can't see how they can't give it to you, really?

Good luck :fingerscrossed:.

[M O P]

Ah Bearskin, that sounds terrible! What a pain.
I don't know why they can't still pay you anyway, it's not like you're claiming twice or pulling a swifty.

[Missus S]

Yeah right..........who sends paperwork via registered mail :rolleyes:

You're entitled to that money & I'm sure you'll get it in the end. Good luck with the appeal. If you have no joy with that.............I'd then probably get onto your local MP for them to help you out.

[jessgray]

my friend had her bub in mid june and her c/link lost her PP forms and her baby bonus forms. she is still waiting for it all to coem through

[sam's mum]

Not sure why the forms went to the ATO, they should go to Centrelink or an FAO. Contact Centrelink and let them know what happened, if you ask to speak to a social worker they may be able to find out if there is anyway you can get an extension.

Aside from that do as someone else suggested and contact your local member. :fingerscrossed:

[Bearskin]

Thanks for all your advice.

I did send the forms to Centrelink/Family Assist - sorry :) Its been a long day.

I have had to get my doctor to fill out his section of the form again (FAO sent me a photocopied short form) which he did happily as he hasn't been paid yet from Medicare. Submitted this in person to closest Centrelink office; questioned why doctor completed form again. I explained that dr had not been paid his fee therefore he was happy to verify the form (again). Was told by staff that not sure if that is acceptable (usually accept birth certificate only for resubmitted forms) as usually indicates fraud! I said, "I only have one child, the one I had in November and no-one has paid me for that child; you dont even have her on your records!" (I had already advised them twice when enquiring the first time of my address change and change in marital status and it took two phone calls to get that right!)

Told me it would take 21 days to process, then I could appeal the decision to not pay the baby bonus. Rang 21 days later and form not been processed due to them not having our TFN's. Thanks for being proactive and letting me know - not! Advised TFN's; and told I would be paid back pay of FTB early this week. Get a phone call Friday afternoon to request my TFN AGAIN; I missed the call, now have to wait until Monday to speak to the members of Mensa that work for FAO. These people are harder to deal with than Telstra and CBA put together!

Now I am getting snarly and should go and have a glass of wine!

If they don't pay me, I'll take Missus S advice and contact my local MP. If that doesn't work I can always sell my story to "Today Tonight" about the hard done by "good ol' Aussie sheep farming battlers" that didn't get their baby bonus.....mmm or maybe not LOL

[QTB]

i had the same prob - kinda... DS was born ion new zealand in october, we were planning on moving over here in november, but due to DS's medical probs (hospital stays etc) we couldnt get over here til march. (still within the 26weeks) i am an australian citizen (since 1985! and have been living here for 99% of that time) i rang the FAO from NZ before DS was born to find out about baby bonus they said as long as we were in aus before he was 26wks we would still get it. we got here in march, put paper work in sraight away.... rejected! we didnt bother fighting it though....

[Buddha Bubbas]

"now have to wait until Monday to speak to the members of Mensa that work for FAO. "

Hysterical, and so true! those guys at centrelink are Hopeless!!!

i always call atleast twice to make sure i get the right information and they all tell you something different. fight it, its 3 grand you have nothing to lose.

[soph'smum]

Hi there

I work for a federal MP and we deal with these kind of issues all the time - and generally get an outcome much more quickly than if you call yourself. Contact your local Federal Member or Senator and give them your details and tell them what has happened. They have access to a case worker from Centrelink who will open your file on screen immediately and deal with the issue asap.

Good luck

Me: 29
DH: 30
DD: Sophie, aged 16 months
Bub #2 due 29/10/06

[subaruforestermum]

I have had to send in a form to Centrelink due to not having transport and bub was in hospital, and the form never reached them.....I was then asked to post another form, but the address had Tasmania on it, I live in Brisbane...........

When ever I deal with Centrelink, which is very limited now, and I have to give them a form to process I request that they provide me with a photocopy of it stamped and signed by the officer in which I deal with....makes it so much easier when things dont happen when they should, as I then have record of the day I took it in and the person who I dealt with...

Not sure what to do in your situation, but good luck......