i dont get it!!!!!

[DoubleK]

I'm hoping someone (namely BG ) will be able to help me understand the conversation i just had with centrelink! because i ended the phonecall saying to the lady 'ok, ill just have to leave it because i dont understand what your saying to me' i feel like a dill, but at the same time, it makes no sense at all!!


i have updated our income estimate 3 times this financial year, the last time being about 2 weeks ago. easch estimate has gone down, and this one has dropped it by another 2g (as ive worked out thge dates when ill be finishing up work for good this year etc.) so i did an estimator thingy, all good, so i went and updated. and my payment has dropped by almost $100pf?? this is why i rang them. as its due next wednesday and i need more than the new estimate as i have things coming out by direct debit!

my first 'huh?' moment- she asked if we had recently done our taxes.. i said we did them in July last year, then she explained to me that the new income i gave her is HIGHER than last years 07/08 actual income from the ATO.. so my paymets have dropped. to which i said, yes because i earnt more this year than last year?

2nd huh moment- she said i need to update my income... i said do mean the tax office? she said, no centrelink. i said, ok im doing that now, and im dropping our estimate by 2 thousand dollars. she said yes, but its higher than the projected income from the tax office for 07/08

HUH???

am i having a complete pregnant brain moment? i dont understand, we didnt underestimate last year, we ended up with supplement payments...

ive done nothing but drop our estimate, i think by a total of about 6g all together. yest im almost receiving nothing now?? im so tempted to ring back and speak to someone else to see what they say, and if they confuse me the same

HELP!!!

[Dasharity]

Cant help you but i would ring back youll hopefully get someone who can explain it better

[briggsy's girl]

i would honestly (and i rarely suggest this) call back

check online services first so that you can check the estimate is correct, then check with them what CONTINUOUS ADJUSTMENT is in place and why

it sounds to me like the estimate at the start of the year may have been too low - how, i don't know - but now that it's being rehashed, it's saying you were overpaid for some reason. what you need to do is find out what estimate was on there July 1, what it changed to the few times you changed it, and WHY you are having money deducted.

if you feel you need to, to get someone to explain it in simple terms, play the pregnant card. say that you're feeling rather lost because you're sure you have over estimated in the past, and want to see how it's come to be that you're losing so much money. i have done it myself, played the "dumb" card. if the person doesn't explain it accurately enough (have pen and paper, make sure you write it down and it makes sense), PM me the info and i'll see what i can come up with - wouldn't normally take a PM in this circs, but i don't want you having to post personal info re estimate online....

make sure you also get from them confirmation of what your income estimate was last year, and what your actual taxable income was. hope the person you speak to is more helpful, if not, i'll see what i can work out

[DoubleK]

i just replied but its not here!!!

ive sent you a pm BG... thank you heaps!

[briggsy's girl]

clear out your PM's hun so that i can reply to you!

[DoubleK]

bugger!! i had no idea my inbox was full!

[DoubleK]

just for the record.. my rent assistance dropped of the system, so that was the problem!

the lovely lady i spoke to, took the time to explain to me how they work out payments when you adjust your income estimate etc, but then we realised there was no rent assistace in place at all, when i am actually entitled to it, so she's fixed it all up.

she really was lovely, and i told her so!

thanks for your help BG! always appreciated!

[briggsy's girl]

just for the record.. my rent assistance dropped of the system, so that was the problem!

the lovely lady i spoke to, took the time to explain to me how they work out payments when you adjust your income estimate etc, but then we realised there was no rent assistace in place at all, when i am actually entitled to it, so she's fixed it all up.

she really was lovely, and i told her so!

thanks for your help BG! always appreciated!

no drama hun

it kinda sounded like RA had dropped off - it's good when it's something (relatively) simple!