In many ways, I’ve been lucky – I haven’t needed to whinge about Centrelink, because I haven’t really had many dealings with them over the years.
However, that all changed after Miss 19 had a little mishap at ice skating recently. Somebody tripped over in front of her and the blade of their skate, nicked the back of her hand.
Such a simple thing and yet it resulted in:
- lots of blood
- a trip to the Emergency Department
- a severed tendon and fractured bone
- surgery to repair the tendon
- two days in hospital
- 6 weeks of wearing a splint on her forearm while the tendon repaired
- still needing to wear a splint on her fingers
- exercises to strengthen her fingers, hand and arm
- and weekly visits to the hospital half an hour away for occupational therapy and to visit the fracture clinic
in other words, a lot of pain and suffering (for her – and me!).
But perhaps the biggest pain has been in her hip pocket. You see, Miss 19 might be the assistant manager of a cafe but like many in the hospitality industry, she is employed as a casual. Which means if she doesn’t work, she doesn’t get paid.
However just because her income has stopped doesn’t mean her expenses have. She still has to pay rent and other bills!
Of course we’ve helped out where we can. But with being unable to work for eight or even more weeks, it’s been tough, so she is in the process of applying for sickness benefits from Centrelink.
WOW. All I can say is, it is so flipping hard to get a payment when you actually have a legitimate claim – that I have no idea how people manage it when they don’t!
We’ve spent hours on the phone and online and visiting our local Centrelink office. It’s like they are drip feeding us the information we need – each time we get a little bit more. Why can’t they just give us all the information, and tell us all the documents we need to bring in, right up front?!
Miss 19 is convinced it is because they want her to give up and not claim anything … so perhaps there is a method to their madness after all ….
At this rate, Miss 19 will be lucky to get a payment – if she gets one at all – before she goes back to work after Christmas!
Thanks for letting me get this off my chest. Now it’s your turn – what’s your whinge about Centrelink?!
Don’t forget to enter my comp to win a $100 voucher to spend at Crazy Sales – closes 10 December!