Victorian man wins $10k over lost Centrelink form

Reported by ninemsn staff
Monday, February 13, 2012

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A Victorian man has been awarded over $10,000 in compensation after Centrelink lost his form.

The 31-year-old from Moe had initially believed his 2003 application for a disability support pension had been turned down, the Latrobe Valley Express reports.

But after applying for another DSP in 2007, he discovered Centrelink had lost his claim and application.

A Victorian court has now ruled that the Department of Finance back-pay the full entitlement, totaling $10,800.

The man, who told the newspaper he wished to remain anonymous, said it took 18 months to receive compensation.

"I am very happy with the result and it was very hard waiting all that time for the money," he said.

The man was represented in court by Social Security Rights Victoria, which estimates up to 5 percent of its 1146 claims were due to forms lost in the Centrelink "vortex".

"That's why it's important to always double check, question them [and] appeal decisions," said SSRV coordinator Peter Horbury.

17/05/2012 10:37Sydney, Australia. 17 May,2012
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