Australia's national suicide hotline is taking calls from people affected by the federal government's controversial computerised crackdown on welfare payments.
A screenshot from Lifeline's database leaked to BuzzFeed News shows the organisation has created a new category in its database for counsellors speaking with clients about "Centrelink Automatic Debt Recovery".
The government's new scheme, which was labelled a "diabolical" failure by some industry experts, uses a computer program to match data from the Australian Tax Office and Centrelink.
Automatic debt recovery notices are being sent to people with discrepancies in their earnings.
Independent senator Andrew Wilkie said the process had left Australians on welfare terrified and suggested some were "on the brink of suicide".
Those who have been sent letters have been told to prove they've received the correct welfare payments, or risk facing debt collectors and, ultimately, prosecution.
The Commonwealth Ombudsman has announced an independent investigation into the system.
According to Fairfax Media pensioners and those on disability payments will be targeted next by the automatic debt recovery system.
If you need to talk to someone, you can call Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue Australia on 1300 22 4636.