The Department of Human Services ordered one hundred and seventy thousand people who incorrectly claimed benefits to pay back within a month. (photo of Daily Mail)
According to the Daily Mail, the federal government began cracking down on fraudulent benefits on Friday, ordering one hundred and seventy thousand people who had previously erroneously claimed benefits to pay back within a month.
It is reported that as the federal government launched a crackdown on fraudulent benefits, this week the Human Services Department, (Department of Human Services), began issuing an ultimatum to nearly one hundred and seventy thousand former recipients of benefits, asking them to repay their payments within four weeks. Total debt recovered amounted to A $905 million. If they fail to return their erroneous benefits on time, they face penalties such as interest charges or deductions of part of their wages.
Human Services Minister Keenan (Michael Keenan) said the weekly amounts to be reimbursed would be determined on the basis of their personal circumstances and that the department would also make special arrangements for those facing genuine difficulties.
Keenan said most former recipients of benefits now have jobs, and they have no reason to fail to repay their debts, some of which came from more than a decade ago. He called on those involved to contact the Human Services Department to avoid further reimbursement in the future.
For those who refuse to take action, in addition to charging interest at the beginning, the Human Services Department will take other actions, including deducting some of its wages and tax payments, or handing over related materials to external debt-recovery agencies.
People in debt who are currently receiving benefits, as well as those who have taken debt-service actions or are under review, will not be charged interest.
It is reported that one hundred and seventy thousand of the former ultimatum recipients of benefits, most of the personnel fraud. One Kunzhou resident, for example, has repeatedly falsely claimed A $ eight hundred thousand in single-parent benefits.
