Why an elderly widower’s Centrelink pension was cut off without warning
An 80-year-old widower has been shocked to discover that his Centrelink pension was cut off without notice, in part, because of an identification issue stemming from a faded number on his birth certificate.
Ron from NSW, who did not want his surname to be published in fear of retribution from the government agency, has said his fortnightly pension ceased on January 8.
Ron first noticed that his payment had stopped after his pension card didn’t work while collecting prescriptions at a local pharmacy in Lake Macquarie, reported 9 NEWS.
After visiting his Centrelink branch to receive an explanation, Ron was told his benefit had finished after his wife, Joan, had passed away, three months earlier.
Ron adamantly informed Centrelink that he hadn’t received any notice that his pension would be cancelled but was nonetheless sent on his way.
Now, Ron and his family are enduring a battle to not see him be left penniless, but reinstate his aged pension, his pension card and his Opal pension card.
Reportedly, a branch worker once asked Ron for proof of his wife of 59 years' death other than her death certificate.
One of Ron’s daughters, Louise Harmey, told nine.com.au that she and her family are at their “wits end”.
“They were saying they had nothing on file for identification at all,” she said.
“They also required information about my mum, they asked him, ‘Other than mum’s death certificate did he have anything to prove that she passed?’ My sister was like, ‘What? Her ashes’.”
Louise also claimed that a Centrelink worker in the branch admitted that there was no evidence on file to say that Ron had been sent a notice about his pension being cancelled.
As Centrelink claimed they had no record of identification of her father, who has been on benefits for three decades, the family grew more frustrated.
Ron was medically retired from his job within an air-conditioning company in his early 50s due to arthritis in his spine.
Later, the family discovered that Ron’s documentation could not be found because Centrelink was using documentation that was 30 years old, including a birth certificate that was sticky-taped together.
“The loop on the top of the eight on the paper was too faint once it was uploaded,” she said.
“I did throw around that he’s been paid an aged pension since he was 65. Why is it not able to be paid? I was constantly told it was because of new legislation.”
Ron provided a new copy of his birth certificate to Centrelink at the request of the branch manager.
However, the issue has still not been resolved and now Ron only has access to money that was set aside to pay for his funeral, a fund he had organised after the passing of his wife.
“We were there on Monday and nothing has still happened,” Louise said.
“It’s really tough. It’s not only he’s gone through losing mum but now he’s dealing with no money. He’s just paid out for a funeral. It’s just so unfair. Everything has just snowballed,” Ms Harmey said.
“It’s not fair to treat an elderly man like this. We’re at our wits end.”
In an email to nine.com.au a spokesman from the Department of Human Services said a Centrelink specialist would speak to Ron to discuss his situation.
In a statement, Centrelink's Department of Human Services General Manager Hank Jongen said, “I’m very sorry to hear about this man’s experience at this difficult time. We are in contact with his family and are working with them to ensure all appropriate support is offered while his claim is being finalised.”