An expense I need to be reimbursed for (by a government department) has gone unpaid since 2019 despite sending them the invoice four times.

How do I get them to pay?

Ring them up and speak to someone. Ask if they can check if your invoice has been received and when you can expect payment. Then go up the management line if the person you first speak to cannot help you. Ask for their boss.

buffy said:

Ring them up and speak to someone. Ask if they can check if your invoice has been received and when you can expect payment. Then go up the management line if the person you first speak to cannot help you. Ask for their boss.

This.

Also, present them with a letter describing the circumstances. Send a copy of that letter, together with an explanatory note, to both your local MP (govt or Opposition, doesn’t matter), and to the office of the Minister relevant to that govt organisation/dept.

Ensure that the office you’re dealing with is well aware that you’ve sent those copies.

Nothing gets action from a government outfit like knowing that the Minister is aware of their bumbling.

Thanks folks.

I suspect that this Government department gets complaints all the time.

I know someone personally who hasn’t stopped complaining about them (including letters to the minister and the press) for five years. So the department is probably immune to that sort of pressure.

I have spoken to someone from the Government department on several occasions during the past two years, but they say that the payment is not up to them – it’s up to the department’s legal team.

mollwollfumble said:

Thanks folks.

I suspect that this Government department gets complaints all the time.

I know someone personally who hasn’t stopped complaining about them (including letters to the minister and the press) for five years. So the department is probably immune to that sort of pressure.

I have spoken to someone from the Government department on several occasions during the past two years, but they say that the payment is not up to them – it’s up to the department’s legal team.

Can you go into further detail? Like is this money that you spent in expectation that you would be reimbursed or is it money owed to you for other reasons?

Witty Rejoinder said:

mollwollfumble said:

Thanks folks.

I suspect that this Government department gets complaints all the time.

I know someone personally who hasn’t stopped complaining about them (including letters to the minister and the press) for five years. So the department is probably immune to that sort of pressure.

I have spoken to someone from the Government department on several occasions during the past two years, but they say that the payment is not up to them – it’s up to the department’s legal team.

Can you go into further detail? Like is this money that you spent in expectation that you would be reimbursed or is it money owed to you for other reasons?

This is money owed to me for repairs to a house owned by DHHS. Repairs needed because of damage caused by a water leak under the wall of their garage on a pipe that fed water to four properties. I got verbal approval in person in 2019 that they would pay me. They paid for a builder to inspect the site before the repairs were done. And I got verbal approval in person that they were happy with the quality of the repairs after the repair work was done.

I’ve sent the invoice six times now.

mollwollfumble said:

Witty Rejoinder said:

mollwollfumble said:

Thanks folks.

I suspect that this Government department gets complaints all the time.

I know someone personally who hasn’t stopped complaining about them (including letters to the minister and the press) for five years. So the department is probably immune to that sort of pressure.

I have spoken to someone from the Government department on several occasions during the past two years, but they say that the payment is not up to them – it’s up to the department’s legal team.

Can you go into further detail? Like is this money that you spent in expectation that you would be reimbursed or is it money owed to you for other reasons?

This is money owed to me for repairs to a house owned by DHHS. Repairs needed because of damage caused by a water leak under the wall of their garage on a pipe that fed water to four properties. I got verbal approval in person in 2019 that they would pay me. They paid for a builder to inspect the site before the repairs were done. And I got verbal approval in person that they were happy with the quality of the repairs after the repair work was done.

I’ve sent the invoice six times now.

Ahhh I remember this happening. Sounds as though there is no such thing as a verbal agreement when it comes to the DHHS. If the amount is enough to make it worthwhile you might consider taking it up at VCAT.

Witty Rejoinder said:

mollwollfumble said:

Witty Rejoinder said:

Can you go into further detail? Like is this money that you spent in expectation that you would be reimbursed or is it money owed to you for other reasons?

This is money owed to me for repairs to a house owned by DHHS. Repairs needed because of damage caused by a water leak under the wall of their garage on a pipe that fed water to four properties. I got verbal approval in person in 2019 that they would pay me. They paid for a builder to inspect the site before the repairs were done. And I got verbal approval in person that they were happy with the quality of the repairs after the repair work was done.

I’ve sent the invoice six times now.

Ahhh I remember this happening. Sounds as though there is no such thing as a verbal agreement when it comes to the DHHS. If the amount is enough to make it worthwhile you might consider taking it up at VCAT.

VCAT? Checks web. Good advice.

VCAT: Home
https://www.vcat.vic.gov.au
VCAT, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, resolves disputes and make decisions. Find out what we do …

PS. Now, nearly 3 years down the track, there is another water leak. Possibly in the same place.