I consider myself to be a reasonably intelligent person. And I'm sure what I'm experiencing is not a new problem but Centrelink forms? Seriously? If I struggle with their mumbo jumbo, spin you in circles forms how must people who are not native English speakers cope? Or those who struggle with literacy? Unbelievable. It's honestly like they have gone out of their way to make this hard.
Hands done my favourite question though is the one that asks:
Did you indicate at question 24 that you have lodged an online claim Paid Parental leave or family assistance. (blah blah blah)?
First off: It was question 25 that asked me that. Secondly: are you asking me to say yes or no as to whether I said yes or no in a previous question?! Are you being redundant deliberately?!
In the near future I'm marching myself down to their offices to have words. I'm going to give them The Eye, The Lip and get someone else to fill it out for me.
And I must remember to take my book and a packed lunch for the inevitable long wait.
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ReplyDeleteYep - they're tricky for sure ;)
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean Rach, I've been dealing with them for a couple of years now :-(
ReplyDeleteI finally added some photos to my blog, Caitlin is now 4 and Ella 2. can't believe where that time has gone!!
ReplyDeleteBelieve it or not Rach, I've actually found Medicare to be worse than Centrelink. Trying to get combined card with Andrew is proving almost impossible. And to think, the Govn has combined them into the Human Services department. All the best with your claim Rach - packed lunch sounds awesome :) Rae
ReplyDeleteIt's worth it once it's all done.
ReplyDeleteJust don't threaten violence when you give them the lip they don't see you any quicker ;) Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteI've been struggling with that form too and wondered the same thing myself! I've picked it up and put it down in frustration so many times this past week! I also thought I was a fairly intelligent person, but after that form, feel quite confused and not so smart after all!! Who know how hard it could be to add your child to your medicare card and apply for family assistance?! Good luck with it Rach! love T xoxo
ReplyDeleteyeeah good luck with that marching down there thing O_o xx
ReplyDeleteAs someone whose job it was to help people (mostly young people) interact with Centrelink in the past, I totally appreciate this. And the packed luch. I always took snacks for my kids when going to Centrelink. Even the teenage kids... AND, the best thing about living in NZ is that their Family Assistance type payments are SO easy to organise. I remember we had been in the country one day and in a single 20 minute trip to IRD we had tax file numbers and family payments sorted. And a lovely lady rang us a couple hours later at home to tell us that everything we had "left with her" had been sorted and there woudl be money in our account he next day! Go NZ! Australia has a little ways to go with customer service from Government Dept. yet me thinks!
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