too much land

We are on a part pension and live on nine acres, which is not improved except the house. I heard that we are allowed five acres without pension cuts. Recently I was told that the remaing four acres is not listed in assets after 20 years. Six months ago I sent off all relevent docs to Centrelink and still have had no reply, which I think is disgusting.

Any clues please. Thankyou.

6 comments

Why do you live on 9 acres and still need a full pension 

sell the other 4 acres unless of course it’s providing you with a healthy income which you aren’t declaring 

Why are  you so damn rude to a new poster Brocky????

Raphael,  for your information many places are UNABLE to be divided -- just because you have 9/15 0r 100 acres mostly you are unable to divide -- 

In Answer to you Stone Age -- it is right if you have owned the land for 20 years the extra above the 5 acres is not in your assests.

YES,  it is disgusting that these at the relevant place have not got back to you downright rude and not good enough!

That's a fair question put by Raphael.

Because although rural residents may get an exemption under the assets test for land over 2 hectares on the same title, after 20 years of continual living, I think you will still need to pass the land use test.

stone age, I hope you didnt send them with Barney Rubbles Express Postal Service? And I know you have a copy to take into your nearest CLINK offiice, so that you can ask the nice people at the counter these same question.  

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And when you take the trouble to wait in a LONG queue to take or ask Centrelink a question all they say is  -- Oh you will have to contact us online for that --- so half a day wasted --

I have a Friend that has 15 acres he just has a livable shed on it and goes there on occasions-- grow a few vegs for themselves nothing more -- they just like the peace and quiet of the country

Thanks for your input everyone. The  facts are re our 4 extra acres ,we cannot subdivide, it costs me to do fire breakes and slash. we are not making money from the block. I sent the docos by fax. I sent a complaint a few months ago re delay and received a phone call from CLNK putting me on priority. Still havent heard. Maybe I will complain again. Thanks again for your comments.

Hi stone age, welcome to the forum.  Six months seems to be about the norm from what I've observed, especially if your situation is a little different.  The good news is that any increase will be backdated.

Visiting a centrelink office wouldn't make much difference, all they do is gather the relevant information and send it on to Canberra, and you've effectively done that anyway.  They don't really have the power to make decisions on your behalf, well our office here doesn't anyway, and I guess they're all pretty much the same.

You could try ringing them if you've got a couple of hours to spare waiting on the phone.  You might get lucky and get some answers but I wouldn't hold my breath.

There is one other thing you could try. If you happen to have a financial advisor, they are now allowed to deal with Centrelink on your behalf.  Apparently, this is a recent development. 

Some financial advisors might charge like wounded bulls but in dealing with Centrelink they are probably worth every penny, IMO, even if it's only so I never have to darken the doors of the Centrelink office (or talk to them on the phone) ever again.

Thanks Leone. I will keep trying' 

 

If all else fails, you've got enough there to start a market garden or even better, a small vineyard. I prefer the latter idea.

6 comments



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