17 October 2008

The Continuing Story...

Yes, believe it or not, the pension thing is still going on. Remember, I thought I was paid too much? I was right...a day later I received a letter from Centrelink giving me the breakdown for the sum of cash deposited in my account. They're paying me the full pension because they estimated my income to be just over $8,000 last year. Helloooo...after all that toing and froing earlier with financial statements, rent certificates, etc they still get it wrong.

So yesterday, I took my tax assessment, financial statement and their letter in and after standing in a queue for only half-an-hour, explained the situation. I have to go back in on Monday, because they want my tax return, not the assessment that the Tax Office send along with an invoice or a refund. Why? Who knows.

I also thought I'd mention that I was going to New Zealand next month and gave the date I'd be leaving. The lady who I was speaking with keyed in something onto the computer and immediately a look of consternation crossed her face. My heart sank. What now? She explained that I was too early in letting them know...the machine wouldn't be able to handle it. Huh??

She smiled at me and asked if I'd be able to come back in on Monday and tell them when I'm leaving...oh, and to bring in my tax return of course. Of course...

The thumping noise you can hear is me banging my head against the wall. Maybe I'll go to New Zealand and never come back...

9 comments:

Ramblins of a middle-aged goddess said...

Here is a thought...get all and I mean ALL of your papers and put them in something that is BIG!! Go in to your appt and say..Okay, now which of these 50 million papers do you want from me. THEN in your dreams...dump them all on her desk!!!!! ha!! That would be great. you know I am hearing that it is the same way here. You have to keep calling and going and calling and going to get anything done...In America we use the expression, "the squeaky wheel gets the grease." That is what you have to be VERY VERY squeaky!!
I guess I did know that you were going to New Zealand...must have just forgot!! Hm!!
Have a great day!! Sandy

Gattina said...

I very much doubt that it would be better in New Zeeland ! Apparently all administrative employes in the whole world have a special brain and act different than the rest of humanity. It just sounds as if it happened here ! I still remember this old lady who was declared death by mistake and it took 6 month before she was officialy alive again ! In the meantime no pension !! That happened in Belgium a few years ago. And I am soooooo happy !! I got a pension increase of 6 € to increase my "life quality" (that's what they said !)

Jellyhead said...

Oh no! What a saga!!

Merle said...

G'Day Robyn ~~ Sorry you are still having to deal with Centrelink, but once it is settled, it should work OK.
Thanks for your comments ~~ glad you liked my pelagoniums. I wish I could give you cuttings. I don't know if I could send some in the mail, after you come home from New Zealand.Take care, my friend, Love, Merle.

Anonymous said...

I have to agree with Gattina, at least a bit. Situations like that has happened over here too, over and over again. Maybe they got fried brain cells when working there? *giggles*

I hope it solves for you on Monday though! Good luyck, it sounds like you might need it...

Jeanette said...

Gday Robyn . This looks like an on going Saga with Centre Link.I hope its all sorted out on Monday for you...
I know somebody that this happened to they took double copies into wangaratta office 45 mins travel each way demanded they stamp recieved and date both copies of everything before they left the counter as he said his time is worth as much time as theres. they got their pension sorted intime for next payment.

We sure will have a wine oclock on the patio if your ever my way...

Peter said...

Welcome to the Centrelink world Robyn, unlike the real world here you need to tell "us" everything 3 times so that we can lose 2 of them and dispute the 3rd lot.

Liz Hinds said...

How inconsiderate of you to let them know early!

Walker said...

Yeah and we vote for the people who train them HA HA HA