When Daniella contacted us, she was in shock, she had just left a violent relationship where for years she had been dominated and controlled. She thought she had escaped only to find she was caught up in a massive debt.
During the relationship, Daniella received Family Tax Benefit while raising her children. But she had no control over the family's finances and little knowledge of what her partner was earning or reporting to Centrelink.
When Daniella fled, she had nothing – no superannuation, no job, no home. Relying on friends and family, she and her three children began to rebuild their lives.
Then a letter arrived from Centrelink.
Daniella was told she over $70,000.
The debt was impossible to repay. After covering rent, bills and food, there was barely enough money left to get by.
Exhausted and frightened about what would happen next, Daniella turned to Welfare Rights Centre.
Our lawyers worked with Daniella to challenge the debt, gathering evidence and helping her navigate a complex appeals process.
In the end, Centrelink agreed to waive the debt.
For Daniella, it meant more than financial relief. It meant being able to move forward without the burden of a debt created during many years of abuse and control.
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