For many people, #coronavirus means they are navigating the welfare system for the first time. #Centrelink is facing an unprecedented challenge and leaked emails from inside the organisation reveal confusion over new government policies. #abc730 @FarrellPF #COVID19Aus
Amanda Colton applied for #Newstart in January when her casual hours were reduced. “I don't know how many phone calls I've made to #Centrelink. However, I've only spoken to somebody once. And that was after I think waiting for two, two and a half hours.” #abc730 #coronavirus
Amanda Colton’s claim was finally approved after 11 weeks. “You couldn’t say it has achieved the goals #Centrelink is there to achieve, which is to help people as quickly as possible when they're in trouble.” #abc730 #coronavirusaustralia #COVID19Aus
“We're quite concerned that there are people out there who are on no income and can't get a #Centrelink payment.” Katherine Boyle, Welfare Rights Centre. #abc730 #coronavirusaustralia #COVID19Aus
Jae Evergreen receives disability support from #Centrelink. He’s noticed even more pressure on the system since coronavirus hit. “Over a period of three hours, I called the line 15 times and each time it was engaged.” #abc730 #coronavirus
On Monday Jae received a message for MyGov advising he had a Centrelink debt of $738. “There are so many people that are going to be in this situation and a lot of these people are already going to be struggling.” #abc730 #coronavirus
The government has announced it would stop pursuing welfare debts for 6 months, but there is confusion within #Centrelink about how the debt pause will actually work. #abc730 #coronavirusaus
A leaked email obtained by #abc730 shows that some debt recovery staff were instructed on Friday to continue pursuing alleged welfare debts, even those owed by dead welfare recipients. #Centrelink #coronavirus
In a statement to #abc730, #ServicesAustralia said the debt pause applied to a broad range of debt recovery activities and that it was only helping executors to finalise deceased estates. #Centrelink #coronavirus
“I know it's really complicated times and we know that #Centrelink have been struggling throughout this process. But it’s really not ideal.” Jae Evergreen. #abc730 #coronavirus
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