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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/dec/28/happy-christmas-from-centrelink-our-welfare-payments-have-been-stopped
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Happy Christmas from Centrelink – your welfare payments have been stopped | Happy Christmas from Centrelink – your welfare payments have been stopped |
(about 3 hours later) | |
It was some way to start Christmas morning – a message telling Irina that her parenting payment had been suspended. | It was some way to start Christmas morning – a message telling Irina that her parenting payment had been suspended. |
“I am the only person my child has,” the single mother of a five-year-old daughter said, “and she’s looking to me on Christmas morning to take the lead and I’m just sitting there with tears streaming down my face.” | “I am the only person my child has,” the single mother of a five-year-old daughter said, “and she’s looking to me on Christmas morning to take the lead and I’m just sitting there with tears streaming down my face.” |
Welfare payments are brought forward each Christmas to avoid any mishaps while Centrelink and job service providers are closed. | Welfare payments are brought forward each Christmas to avoid any mishaps while Centrelink and job service providers are closed. |
But this year some have reported getting text messages or emails telling them their payments were suspended for failing to complete their mandatory work-for-the-dole or ParentsNext activities, which the recipients said should have been cancelled or rescheduled. At least one message seen by Guardian Australia was received at 9am on Christmas Day. | But this year some have reported getting text messages or emails telling them their payments were suspended for failing to complete their mandatory work-for-the-dole or ParentsNext activities, which the recipients said should have been cancelled or rescheduled. At least one message seen by Guardian Australia was received at 9am on Christmas Day. |
‘They desperately need this’: Newstart recipients' hopes dashed by Labor | ‘They desperately need this’: Newstart recipients' hopes dashed by Labor |
The suspensions – which are automated – came despite the fact that the majority of job service providers were required by the department to review appointments booked during this period and cancel them where appropriate. | The suspensions – which are automated – came despite the fact that the majority of job service providers were required by the department to review appointments booked during this period and cancel them where appropriate. |
The department also said it had automatically lifted any outstanding payment suspensions so “any new payment suspension that occurred in the few days prior to Christmas, would also be lifted”. | The department also said it had automatically lifted any outstanding payment suspensions so “any new payment suspension that occurred in the few days prior to Christmas, would also be lifted”. |
But Irina, who is part of the compulsory ParentsNext program, got an email on 24 December saying her payment had been suspended, which she did not see until Christmas morning. | But Irina, who is part of the compulsory ParentsNext program, got an email on 24 December saying her payment had been suspended, which she did not see until Christmas morning. |
She told Guardian Australia she then got a text on Boxing Day telling her to contact her provider about her suspension, despite the fact it will be closed until 2 January. | She told Guardian Australia she then got a text on Boxing Day telling her to contact her provider about her suspension, despite the fact it will be closed until 2 January. |
Irina’s next payment is due on 2 January, the same day rent for public housing will be automatically deducted. | Irina’s next payment is due on 2 January, the same day rent for public housing will be automatically deducted. |
“It felt like a slap in the face to be cut off so ruthlessly on Christmas Day,” said Irina, who did not want her surname used. | “It felt like a slap in the face to be cut off so ruthlessly on Christmas Day,” said Irina, who did not want her surname used. |
“I’ll have to suspend all direct debits, risk being kicked out of the house, risk electricity being cut off … I can approach Salvos and Foodbank for help but how ridiculous that now I have to spend time doing all this.” | “I’ll have to suspend all direct debits, risk being kicked out of the house, risk electricity being cut off … I can approach Salvos and Foodbank for help but how ridiculous that now I have to spend time doing all this.” |
Generally, people can only have their payments restored by “re-engaging” with their provider, most of whom are closed between 24 December and 1 January. Centrelink is shut from 25 to 27 December and on 1 January. Irina said on Friday, four days after her payment was suspended, that it had been restored. She was not sure how this had happened. | |
One Newstart recipient told Guardian Australia they had received a text at 9am on 25 December telling them their payment had been suspended for failing to attend a work-for-the-dole activity on Christmas Eve. The person said they understood they were not obliged to meet these requirements during the Christmas period. | One Newstart recipient told Guardian Australia they had received a text at 9am on 25 December telling them their payment had been suspended for failing to attend a work-for-the-dole activity on Christmas Eve. The person said they understood they were not obliged to meet these requirements during the Christmas period. |
A second person receiving Newstart allowance reported receiving a text saying they did not need to do their work-for-the-dole activities over Christmas, followed by a text notifying them of a suspension. | A second person receiving Newstart allowance reported receiving a text saying they did not need to do their work-for-the-dole activities over Christmas, followed by a text notifying them of a suspension. |
Earlier this month Jobs Australia – which represents non-profit employment agencies – called for the government to immediately remove welfare compliance measures for people like Irina, who are forced to take part in ParentsNext. | Earlier this month Jobs Australia – which represents non-profit employment agencies – called for the government to immediately remove welfare compliance measures for people like Irina, who are forced to take part in ParentsNext. |
Service providers call for Parents Next overhaul after families left without food | Service providers call for Parents Next overhaul after families left without food |
Jeremy Poxon, a spokesman for the Australian Unemployed Workers’ Union, told Guardian Australia the digital compliance system “has a dismal record of failure – and these ‘errors’ continue to unfairly punish and burden social security recipients”. | Jeremy Poxon, a spokesman for the Australian Unemployed Workers’ Union, told Guardian Australia the digital compliance system “has a dismal record of failure – and these ‘errors’ continue to unfairly punish and burden social security recipients”. |
“Our automated decision-making systems are cruel and heartless. They place all burden and responsibility on social security recipients, who – instead of receiving proper care and support – must constantly ‘please’ algorithms and ‘justify’ their receipt of income support.” | “Our automated decision-making systems are cruel and heartless. They place all burden and responsibility on social security recipients, who – instead of receiving proper care and support – must constantly ‘please’ algorithms and ‘justify’ their receipt of income support.” |
A spokeswoman for the Department of Jobs and Small Business told Guardian Australia on Thursday it had “received a handful of calls in relation to payment suspensions occurring today”. | A spokeswoman for the Department of Jobs and Small Business told Guardian Australia on Thursday it had “received a handful of calls in relation to payment suspensions occurring today”. |
“The department has confirmed that all callers have or will receive their payment as per their usual pay date.” | “The department has confirmed that all callers have or will receive their payment as per their usual pay date.” |
The spokeswoman added that the department had “automatically lifted any outstanding payment suspensions for all jobseekers in Jobactive, DES, ParentsNext and CDP”. | The spokeswoman added that the department had “automatically lifted any outstanding payment suspensions for all jobseekers in Jobactive, DES, ParentsNext and CDP”. |
She said any “jobseeker impacted during this period, whose provider is closed, should contact” the national customer service line. | She said any “jobseeker impacted during this period, whose provider is closed, should contact” the national customer service line. |
Irina said on Friday, four days after her payment was suspended, that it had been restored, although she was not sure how this had happened. | |
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