I think my wife is being taken advantage of

Dec 10, 2019
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I think my wife is being taken advantage of

My wife was asked by a "Christian couple" if she wanted to look after or child mind their daughters for them, their daughters are both special need children, this couple promised to pay my wife for her services, they even mentioned that this payment was to come from the local government, etc and all she deeded to do was get a police clearance a cost to her
Its been 3 months now and she has helped them over and over again yet has seen no payment for her help as promised by them, all she gets is promises that they will sort it out soon but to this day it has not yet happened.
This is a condensed version of the story, what is a Christians response to this, I have told my wife to stop her help until something is discussed or put into place can and anyone shed some light on this issue
 

Ahermit

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I think my wife is being taken advantage of

My wife was asked by a "Christian couple" if she wanted to look after or child mind their daughters for them, their daughters are both special need children, this couple promised to pay my wife for her services, they even mentioned that this payment was to come from the local government, etc and all she deeded to do was get a police clearance a cost to her
Its been 3 months now and she has helped them over and over again yet has seen no payment for her help as promised by them, all she gets is promises that they will sort it out soon but to this day it has not yet happened.
This is a condensed version of the story, what is a Christians response to this, I have told my wife to stop her help until something is discussed or put into place can and anyone shed some light on this issue
Give the children back to their parents.
 
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crossnote

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this couple promised to pay my wife for her services, they even mentioned that this payment was to come from the local government,
What is meant by the last (bolded) phrase? Is the payment to come from the 'Christian couple' or the local government?
 
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HatedByAll

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Most likely the couple is treating your wife like people treat doctors and hospitals. Doctors and hospitals take assignment of insurance, meaning they get paid when the insurance and/or government programs pay. The couple probably plans to pay your wife when the governmental agency pays them, or to have the government payment pay your wife directly. The couple doing that would be the same as your wife taking assignment (for sitting services) the same way as a hospital or doctor would do.

Your wife should have made an agreement with the couple that payment was due at the time of service, or else, weekly, monthly, etc. If your wife did not spell out how she should be paid, they are not from a legal standpoint taking advantage of her, it is simply a failure of service provider not having a made a contract before providing the services.
 
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KateforChrist

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It may be that they are waiting for something to do with the NDIS.

Three months is a long time without payment for services. If the parents have not made any mention about payment since your wife has been helping them, that is very inconsiderate, even if they do intend to pay later.

Even though we are Christians it is not right for people to take advantage of us. I think the best way to do it would be for you and your wife to meet with both parents and discuss the situation. At least that way you will be getting it straight from the parents (not through your wife) and you can find out what the true situation is.

Once you have some facts you can work out what to do. If they are going to be paying I think it would be a good idea to get something in writing, especially if your wife plans to continue the minding without being paid up front.

If they are waiting for funding to come through, I think you need them to provide evidence that it is going to happen.
 
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Radagast

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If they are waiting for funding to come through, I think you need them to provide evidence that it is going to happen.

I can tell the OP this for free: if there hasn't been a tonne of paperwork filled out already, there will be no money coming from NDIS.

I don't know if the "Christian couple" mentioned in the OP were dishonest, uninformed, or simply over-optimistic, but I do know that the OP's wife was incredibly foolish to agree to the arrangement without appropriate paperwork being done.

The money is actually the least of it. It seems that the OP's wife has been providing specialist childcare services without being an approved "In Home Care provider," and without insurance coverage. That might even be illegal. It certainly leaves her wide open to a massive lawsuit.
 
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It may be that they are waiting for something to do with the NDIS.

Three months is a long time without payment for services. If the parents have not made any mention about payment since your wife has been helping them, that is very inconsiderate, even if they do intend to pay later.

Even though we are Christians it is not right for people to take advantage of us. I think the best way to do it would be for you and your wife to meet with both parents and discuss the situation. At least that way you will be getting it straight from the parents (not through your wife) and you can find out what the true situation is.

Once you have some facts you can work out what to do. If they are going to be paying I think it would be a good idea to get something in writing, especially if your wife plans to continue the minding without being paid up front.

If they are waiting for funding to come through, I think you need them to provide evidence that it is going to happen.

Once again KateforChrist thank-you for your responce
 
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Most likely the couple is treating your wife like people treat doctors and hospitals. Doctors and hospitals take assignment of insurance, meaning they get paid when the insurance and/or government programs pay. The couple probably plans to pay your wife when the governmental agency pays them, or to have the government payment pay your wife directly. The couple doing that would be the same as your wife taking assignment (for sitting services) the same way as a hospital or doctor would do.

Your wife should have made an agreement with the couple that payment was due at the time of service, or else, weekly, monthly, etc. If your wife did not spell out how she should be paid, they are not from a legal standpoint taking advantage of her, it is simply a failure of service provider not having a made a contract before providing the services.

Thank you for your response HatedByAll
 
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I can tell the OP this for free: if there hasn't been a tonne of paperwork filled out already, there will be no money coming from NDIS.

I don't know if the "Christian couple" mentioned in the OP were dishonest, uninformed, or simply over-optimistic, but I do know that the OP's wife was incredibly foolish to agree to the arrangement without appropriate paperwork being done.

The money is actually the least of it. It seems that the OP's wife has been providing specialist childcare services without being an approved "In Home Care provider," and without insurance coverage. That might even be illegal. It certainly leaves her wide open to a massive lawsuit.

Thank you for your response Radagast
 
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KateforChrist

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You're welcome.

It's good that you can brain storm it here and get some ideas.

One other thing that you need to be aware of is that the parents might play the guilt card.

It can be easy for us to think that other people will treat us the same way we would treat others but that isn't always what happens.

Just because they are Christians doesn't mean that they are going to "play fair". And because you are Christians they may feel that your wife "should" be helping them out.

And of course pray about the situation and discuss it with your wife.

If you do meet with the parents my suggestion would be to not make any decision there and then but to tell them they you and wife need to discuss things and that you will get back to them once you have done that.
 
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mina

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She needs to tell them she can't watch the children anymore unless she is paid. And then she doesn't go to their place or allow them to bringthe children to your home unless they have reimbursed her for her agreed upon services . She can say this nicely and firmly and follow through .
 
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She needs to tell them she can't watch the children anymore unless she is paid. And then she doesn't go to their place or allow them to bringthe children to your home unless they have reimbursed her for her agreed upon services . She can say this nicely and firmly and follow through .
Thanks, JustRachel for your words :)
 
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She needs to tell them she can't watch the children anymore unless she is paid. And then she doesn't go to their place or allow them to bringthe children to your home unless they have reimbursed her for her agreed upon services . She can say this nicely and firmly and follow through .
Sorry trying to get around this program ok Mina thank you
 
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