Centrelink cheats warned to pay back $900 debt or cop interest charges

THE government is cracking down on welfare cheats, giving Australians one month to start paying back the $900m debt or risk copping interest charges.

ALMOST 170,000 Australians with welfare debts racked up through false claims are being warned to sign repayment plans or cop interest charges.

The federal government is pursuing the former welfare recipients in an effort to recoup more than $900 million.

One Queensland cheat pocketed $800,000 by lodging fraudulent claims for “fictitious children” and an undeclared business income.

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The rorter, who earns an income and is not entitled to welfare, has coughed up a one-off $3000 repayment but is refusing to negotiate any further arrangements to clear the debt.

Another incurred $400,000 in debt about 10 years ago by claiming unemployment benefits under false identities.

They later repaid about $10,000 but have fallen off the radar.

Minister for Human Services Michael Keenan said that people will be given a month to commit to a repayment plan. Picture: Mick Tsikas/AAP

“All those being contacted no longer receive a benefit, but previously received payments they were not entitled to and have made no effort — in some cases for over a decade — to repay what they owe,” Human Services Minister Michael Keenan said on Friday.

“For those who refuse to take action, interest charges are only the beginning. My department will also look at other measures such as garnishing wages and tax refunds, or referring matters to external collection agents.”

People have been given 28 days to commit to a repayment plan or be whacked with interest of 8.77 per cent.

“As none are currently receiving welfare, the government believes most are now working and have the means to start paying back what they owe,” Mr Keenan said.

The coalition government’s crackdown on welfare fraud has backfired in the past, with its bungled Centrelink robo-debt program resulting in people wrongly pursued for social security payments.