Trying to understand and organise your Centrelink payments can be complicated. KCLS lawyers may be able to help.
How KCLS Can Help
Arranging Centrepay deductions to pay your bills and rent. KCLS can help you set up ongoing deductions to pay for utilities, such as electricity accounts with Horizon Power. We can also draft a budget so you don’t sign up to something you can’t afford.
Helping you understand your payments and confirm your entitlements. Many people have several deductions set up to pay their bills. It can be difficult to understand where your money's going and make sure that you're receiving the correct amount. KCLS can help you talk to Centrelink to make sure you're receiving the correct payments.
Appealing Centrelink decisions you do not agree with. Centrelink officers can make decisions about your payments. For example, they can decide to stop your payments permanently or temporarily if they think you no longer qualify for Centrelink. If you think this decision is wrong, you can speak to KCLS and we may be able to assist you to appeal the decision.
Talking to you about Centrelink in your community. Some Centrelink programs change the way you receive your Centrelink money:
Some people are on a program that gives them a card called the Basicscard. For these people, half of their Centrelink money goes onto the Basicscard. KCLS can talk to you about the Basicscard and help you to understand your payments and if you are having any problems with the card, we can help you if you want to complain.
Kununurra and Wyndham are part of a new Centrelink project called the ‘Cashless Debit Card’. Most people who receive Centrelink in Kununurra and Wyndham and the communities in between will be affected. KCLS can talk to you about the Cashless Debit Card and help you to understand your payments and if you are having any problems with the card, we can help you if you want to complain.
Case Study: Amy
Amy has volunteered for income management, where part of her money will be managed by Centrelink through the Basicscard. Amy now receives half of her Centrelink income on this card, which she can use to buy essentials such as groceries or fuel.
Even though Amy wants to be on income management, she doesn’t really understand how much money she's meant to receive. She also wants to set up regular payments for her rent and electricity from her Basicscard.
KCLS can help Amy to:
· speak to Centrelink to confirm how much money she's receiving in her bank account and on her Basicscard;
· set up regular deductions to pay for rent and electricity; and
· apply for an exemption from income management if she no longer wants her payments to be managed by Centrelink.