Child support: Grieving mum receives child support ‘overpayment’ notice two weeks after burying her son

A grieving mother has been issued a Services Australia debt collection notice for child support that has been overpaid for her deceased son, less than two weeks after his funeral.

Jennifer Brankin, whose son Alexander died on April 28 and was buried on May 10, has shared her distress over the notice.

Alexander lived a short yet extraordinary life. He was diagnosed with Joubert Syndrome, a disorder of the brain, following his birth, and was severely compromised as a result.

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Accepting her son’s fate and the fact his life would be short, Jennifer was determined to make every day count and she and Alexander embarked on a series of adventures around the world.

When he died at children’s hospice Bear Cottage in Manly, NSW, Jennifer knew she had given him the best life possible.

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After laying him to rest she was left to face a future without him. She would also eventually lose the financial support she had been receiving as his full-time carer and the child support being collected from Alexander’s dad.

“Also because I’m going to essentially break the lease, I’m losing half my bond money as well,” Jennifer, 43, tells 9honey.

“These are the added hidden costs that don’t really get factored in when they’re just like, oh, well, your child died. He stopped breathing on the 28th of April at 11.15pm. So that’s the last day that they pay you.”

Jennifer had done well to maintain a semblance of a career as a photographer when Alexander’s health allowed, but never had the opportunity to establish a full-time career and income following his birth due to his needs.

It was while still in the depth of her grief and dealing with the stress of moving home that Jennifer was dealt another cruel blow – a government letter for the repayment of Child Support funds in the amount of $162.44.

“It’s not even about the money, it’s how it was worded,” she says.

“It’s the fact they don’t see I’m left carrying the mental load and finances now that he’s gone.

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“Needing to pack up a house, make every decision around moving and getting rid of stuff. My entire life changes.”

Distraught after reading the letter, Jennifer posted a copy of it on her private Facebook page.

She wrote: “The ‘up to date information’ is our child Alexander, passed away.

“It wouldn’t cost you anything to acknowledge that, and offer sincerity. The costs and expenses of a child don’t end the moment they take their last breath.

“I still have to house his belongings until we can move out and moving him to his final resting place was also not without expense (thank goodness for friends that rallied to send financial support, thank you all).”

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9honey contacted Services Australia to ask about Jennifer’s experience and received the following response from General Manager, Hank Jongen.

“We understand the grief this mother is experiencing and we sincerely apologise for how jarring this administrative letter must have felt to get,” Jongen said.

“My message to anyone in these circumstances is to please call us. Our staff care and want to help.

“While there are processes we need to follow to reconcile payments, our staff can work through the options to settle matters without adding to the grief parents are experiencing.”

Do you have a story to share? Contact Jo Abi at jabi@nine.com.au.

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