20yo university student ‘annoyed’ over Centrelink rejection

A young Aussie has revealed the reason her Centrelink claim was rejected and why she’s been left feeling “annoyed” and “stressed”.

Ashleigh Griffiths has been left “stressed” after her Centrelink claim was denied because her doctor mum earns too much.

Ms Griffiths, 20, lives in Canberra with her single mother, who is a GP. The young Aussie is studying medical radiation science at university. She used to work part-time and pay her mum board, but then she suffered injuries to both her legs that meant she was unable to work.

She had never needed to apply for government support before, but after getting injured, she found she needed it.

“I can’t work for medical reasons. I’ve been applying for desk jobs, but unfortunately, when they find out I have crutches, they don’t call me back,” she said.

Ashleigh is now stressed. Picture: TikTok/AshleighGriffiths

She said her claim was denied. Picture: TikTok/AshleighGriffiths

Not seeing an alternative, she decided to apply for Youth Allowance. It is an income support payment provided by the government. To be eligible you need to be a full-time student and between the ages 18-24.

The young Aussie figured she was in the perfect position to apply for payments, but her application was denied.

“My claim has been denied because I live at home and my mum earns too much money,” she said.

Ms Griffiths told news.com.au that she used to work part-time as a cleaner, but after fracturing both her legs, she couldn’t keep up with such demanding physical work, and she needs at least three months to recover.

She figured she could apply for Centrelink payments and it would help her until she was able to work again, but her mum’s income has prevented that.

Ms Griffiths said that Centrelink informed her that if a parent earns more than $90,000, that can impact her application and her case.

“This may seem like a lot, but in my opinion, especially with the cost of living at the moment, that isn’t a lot,” she pointed out.

The result has left her “annoyed” and concerned about her financial future.

In Ms Griffith’s case, because she’s single, older than 18, and lives at home with her parents, the max she would be entitled to fortnightly would be $455.20.

It’s not a lot of money, but it would have been enough for her to sustain herself and not burden her mum financially.

Ms Griffiths said she was frustrated by this result because her mum doesn’t support her and she told that to Centrelink.

She said that, despite still living at home, she pays board, all her own medical appointments, her phone bill, and her university textbooks.

The denial has been upsetting.

“It is looking like 12 weeks without any sort of income. Which is so sh*t, awful and really annoying,” she said.

She said she supports herself. Picture: Instagram/ashleigh.griffithss

The young Aussie said her application being denied has left her “pretty stressed” and, while she’s fortunate to still be at home, she’s frustrated she can’t access government support when she needs it.

She said while her mum can survive three months without her contributing to the household, it still puts an “extra strain” on her.

“As a single parent that works 50+ hours a week. It is always hard but this makes it a lot worse,” she said.

She doesn't want to be on Centrelink long term. Picture: Instagram/ashleigh.griffithss

Ms Griffiths said that her current financial burden will also have many flow-on effects for her, and it isn’t as simple as being broke for a few months.

“I will be draining my savings to pay for my surgeries and consultations. It will be tricky, but we will manage it as a family,” she said.

Part of the problem is that no payment is available that fits her circumstances.

“I was applying for medical reasons, and none of the payment claims seemed to suit what I needed. I wasn’t looking for years of support. I needed short-term support for medical costs,” she said.

“I am also studying a degree that requires a lot of placement, so not being able to work for 12 weeks and being denied a small financial support from the government has put immense mental stress on how I will be able to afford my placements at the beginning of next year.”

Ultimately, Ms Griffiths thinks the system needs to be fixed.

She’s a young Aussie studying and preparing to become a taxpayer for the rest of her life, but the government isn’t helping her along the way.

“I believe that it should not also be based on your parent’s income and that people, especially 18-22, should be able to get support based on their incomes, not their parents,” she argued.

Originally published as 20yo university student ‘annoyed’ over Centrelink rejection