Centrelink and Clients. Member of National Welfare Rights Network Community Legal Centre Provide free, independent and.

Centrelink and Clients

Member of National Welfare Rights Networkwww.welfarerights.org.au

Community Legal Centre

Provide free, independent and confidential legal advice in relation to Centrelink matters.

• Provide advice and information on Centrelink payments

• Mediate with Centrelink

• Assist clients to obtain relevant documentation

• Advocate for clients at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal

Many different types of payments: Disability Support Pension

Newstart Allowance

Age Pension

Family Tax Benefit

Youth Allowance etc.

Rejections of payment – how they occur Lack of evidence Not eligible Did not apply in time Incorrectly assessed by Centrelink Centrelink jargon

Debts – how they occur Generally from an overpayment due to : Did not inform Centrelink of changes Incorrectly assessed Member of a couple Joint custody Incorrectly reported earnings ie Net not

Gross

Need to start repayments if possible Minimum repayments

Garnishee orders

Temporary write offs

Have all your client’s details ready for us – name, customer reference number (CRN) and a contact phone number.

Have as much information about the problem– what payment, payslips, any evidence etc.

What we can do to assist:

Contact Centrelink if neededLegal adviceInformation on appeals processAdvocate at TribunalsRefer to other services

Assist at Federal Court Prosecutions Advocate in shared care issues (FTB) Assist with applications (fill in forms) Tell someone what to say to get a payment

1 July 2015 Social Security Appeals Tribunal (SSAT) became the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (Social Services and Child Support Division)

Phone: 1800 228 333 Email: [email protected] Web: www.aat.gov.au

Within Centrelink Back to Original Decision Maker (ODM) To Authorised Review Officer (ARO)

Not all decisions can be appealed past ARO ABStudy and Isolated Children are examples

Outside Centrelink Administrative Appeals Tribunal (SS&CSD) Administrative Appeals Tribunal (General

Division) Federal Court

Free legal advice to homeless, at risk of homelessness or low income earners.

Lawyers can advise, refer or occasionally act for clients.

7 clinics currently throughout the city and suburbs.

City – Level 5, 97 Pirie Street Phone: 8223 1338 or 1800 246 287 (Rural only)

Outreaches:• Port Adelaide – UnitingCare Wesley Port Adelaide

58 Dale Street, Port Adelaide• Marion Road– UnitingCare Wesley Bowden, Inner

Southern Homlessness Service730 Marion Road, Marion• Beulah Park – Uniting Communities Eastern Services Corner of Portrush Road and the Parade, Beulah Park• By appointment at other services

E-mail Nick Hoogland – [email protected] General – [email protected]

Phone 8223 1338 or 1800 246 287 Fax 8232 5835