In a world where we often take for granted the safety nets designed to catch us during our most challenging times, the story of a 35-year-old father from the Hunter Valley, New South Wales, served as a stark reminder that sometimes the system fails those it's meant to protect.

His plight is not just a personal tragedy but a glaring example of the gaps and flaws within our social support mechanisms.

Despite his efforts to access critical assistance, he fell through the cracks, highlighting the urgent need for reform in providing help to those in need.

Brendan Smith is battling end-stage kidney failure, a life-threatening condition that his lifelong struggle with type-1 diabetes has exacerbated.

Diagnosed only last year after a gradual two-year decline in health, Brendan now relies on daily dialysis to keep him alive as he awaits a double kidney-pancreas transplant.

Brendan Smith, a 35-year-old father with end-stage kidney failure, has been deemed ineligible for Centrelink assistance due to policy technicalities. Credit: GoFundMe

But his woes don't end there. Last year, while working as a security guard, Brendan survived a near-fatal stabbing and a car crash, leaving him with severe PTSD, a shattered pelvis, and a ruptured tendon.

These injuries have rendered him unable to return to his previous job.

Despite the severity of his condition and the apparent inability to work, Brendan has found himself ineligible for Centrelink's Disability Support payments.

His life-saving dialysis is considered 'ongoing treatment,' and under current regulations, those receiving ongoing medical treatment do not qualify for disability assistance.

This technicality has left Brendan and his family in a dire financial situation.

His cousin, Emily King, has expressed frustration and disbelief at the system's failure to recognise Brendan's need for help.

'It's infuriating to see that able-bodied people can access disability payments, yet someone like Brendan, who is fighting for his life every day, falls through the cracks,' she said.

Brendan receives minimal worker compensation payments, barely covering his mortgage and leaving him with a meagre $60 weekly.

The situation is even more heart-wrenching considering Brendan's role as a single father, striving to support his daughter amidst overwhelming health challenges.

The financial strain is immense, and the constant uncertainty is a heavy burden for any parent.

Before his health took a turn for the worse, Brendan was known for his generosity and charitable spirit.

Locals recall his random acts of kindness, such as paying for the fast food orders of those behind him or leaving substantial tips for wait staff.

Now, after years of giving, the community is rallying around him, showing their support through donations and heartfelt messages of gratitude.

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help Brendan cope with his mounting expenses, and the response has been a testament to the impact he's had on those around him.

'It's shown me I don't ever expect to get anything back—but it does come back,' Brendan reflected.

Brendan's resilience is nothing short of remarkable. Despite the numerous challenges he's faced, including losing vision in one eye due to diabetes, his humour and determination remain intact.

His doctors have even half-jokingly suggested that he might be indestructible, given his ability to endure so much.

As Brendan holds on to hope for a dual transplant that could significantly extend his life, his story raises critical questions about the adequacy of our social support systems.

How can a man dedicated to serving others be left without the help he desperately needs?

It's a sobering reminder that the system, designed to help, is not infallible.

The Department of Social Services has been contacted for comment. As we await their response, we are reminded of the importance of community and the need for compassion and advocacy for those who fall through the cracks.

Brendan's story is not just his own; it reflects the struggles faced by many Australians battling against a system that should be there to support them.

Key Takeaways

• Brendan Smith, a 35-year-old father with end-stage kidney failure and other severe health conditions, is ineligible for Centrelink assistance due to policy technicalities.
• He is unable to work due to his health issues and the injuries sustained from a near-fatal stabbing and a car crash, yet he cannot access Disability Support payments or JobSeeker benefits.
• His situation highlighted a systemic issue where those with life-threatening and severe chronic conditions may not qualify for governmental support under current regulations.
• A GoFundMe has been initiated to help Mr Smith manage his financial burdens, including his mortgage and medical treatments.

Have you or someone you know faced similar challenges with the social support system? How can we improve the system to ensure no one is left behind? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

 

[tekkac]

Centrelink are probably scared of setting a precedent, so sad

 

[deni67]

It's amazing the different opinions. Hopefully though no one went into GoFundMe and donated

That's the thing, people did go in and donate, so far he has raised $14,426 of a $15,000 target

 

[Suzanne rose]

That's the thing, people did go in and donate, so far he has raised $14,426 of a $15,000 target

Hopefully no one from here

 

[Charlotte59]

It beggars belief that alcoholics and drug addicts can get a disability pension, yet some-one like this with severe health issues doesn't qualify. The system that supposed to look after people with health issues that leave them unable to work is a joke.

 

[Col@45]

Seems that it's the wrong people getting Centrelink help these days....some young people who don't want to work and would prefer to surf. Yet people who really need help struggle to get it !

 

[Clancieblue]

I wonder if Brendan's family have checked his Super Fund, they sometimes carry an insurance for sickness.

 

[Jolliffe]

This horrible government would rather give our tax’s money to other countries then help there own people my heart goes out to this man.It is disgusting.Jolly

 

[Soxylox]

If you want to be eligible for a disability pension you won't get it unless you just don't want to work or know a politician. It's ridiculous that people who don't want to work can get Centrelink but those that want to work but are unable to can get it easily. I hope something is done for those who need it the most and sooner rather than later.

 

[Suzanne rose]

I have checked this out further and his just scamming.

His area has already done 3 fund-raisers for him.

He actually did a gofund me page a couple of years ago for a child which I believe is his now 7 year old daughter

 

[Chicky]

Social services in Australia do not care about our own People. There is so many on benefits that should not be. We can afford to bring in refugees and house them in a five star hotel in Sydney with everything paid for yet we can’t look after our own.

Totally agree

 

[Suzanne rose]

Job seeker payments are for those actively seeking a job. Obviously this man is in no position to find a job. Can you think of an employer who would take him on in his present condition? And who knows how long it will take to get a transplant. And even after a transplant it takes time to recover. His family/friends should approach their local member of parliament and ask them to help

It is also for people who are ill and can produce a doctors certificate which one doctors certificate can before 2 years now.
The old sickness benefit is now also under jobseeker

 

[Milica]

Seems you might have an argument there, Suzanne rose. I re-visited the article and enlarged the picture quite a bit. I too thought his colour looked quite normal and his face is not sallow and drawn as would probably be the case in an end of life patient, but I feel the ‘tubes coming from under his hoodie’ (the cream ones) look like they are actually the tie cords for his hoodie, but the black one looks like it is a music cord for his phone or computer (you can make out the volume control section). No mask on her, no tubes etc attached to him & no breathing tubes?! All of that looks sus.

There is even a laptop (partially in the picture) a computer mouse and mobile phone. If they are hers why are they on the table (normally used by a patient mostly for their food) positioned over his bed? Who do they all belong to? If this is all a scam, then she’s blown it by posting a picture. Might have been easier for them to scam some go fund me money if no picture was posted. The hospital equipment possibly means she’s a nurse there. Why does she look so happy? This becomes more questionable now.

But there are also a lot more questions and answers required from our government when it comes to refusals for genuine cases of all kinds. I don’t want to totally refute the info in the article but there is a lot more to it.

Oh My God - you forgot to mention the grey lead wrapped around the side rail off the bed that gives him instant access to a nurse, by pressing the button on the device that we cannot view down the side off him - he is not in a palliative care end of life bed, he is in his daily dialysis bed receiving his daily treatment, if i am looking at this and reading it correctly, without any assumptions, his prognosis will be end of life care if he does not receive his transplants - it states he is receiving life saving daily dialysis treatment. Add the article also says he is "battling end-stage kidney failure, a life-threatening condition, that his lifelong diabetes has exacerbated" diagnosed only last Year. The double transplant refers to: "Kidney and Pancreas" Transplant.

 

[Suzanne rose]

Having worked in a Major Tertiary Hospital which covered all wards within the Hospital, as a Welfare in-patient Hospital Gov't worker - this included the Dialysis Ward - when a person comes in for Daily Dialysis they are in a Hospital Bed as seen here with this young man, or in a Recliner/Chair/Bed, they receive Daily Dialysis with the clothing that they came in with, it is a "Daily Dialysis Ward" they also are encouraged to bring in music, or whatever they would like to do whilst receiving Dialysis, this form off daily treatment takes hours - how Rude for pple to comment - when they have no idea about a "Day Dialysis Ward" and then for some pple to go as far as to say have the Police been called!

I am aware of everything you said. But after checking out all his social media accounts ect I still think he isn't telling the truth. Eg leaving out the very large payout he received after a car accident.

 

[Milica]

I just read some of the comments on the official story from the link up the top, there's some interesting things in there, and of course bitch fights, my favourite thing to read sometimes when i'm bored

Life is a Precious Gift!

 

[mylittletibbies]

Parameters need to exist, but they are only parameters. Human beings managing the NDIS need the flexibility and ability to think and operate outside those parameters when someone's situation doesn't fit "in the box". Peopke need to be able to think and assess outside that box everybody is unique. The one size fits all rules cannot be applied to people's health.

Of course, anybody whose situation doesn't sit within the rules would need sign-off from supervisors or managers but that should be available and exist in the rules.

Centrelink are the ones responsible for disability pensions, not NDIS.
Trying to deal with Centrelink can be very difficult
My daughter was born with an intellectual disability, along with several other problems and I was allocated
the disabled child's allowance. She automatically qualified for the disability pension when she reached the right age.

However several years later, when we moved from WA to SA we were told by the powers that be that she needed to reapply.
I told them that if my daughter's disability was going to disappear because we crossed the Nullabor we would have crossed years before. What stupidity!!
I said I was going over their heads, I was not going to reapply and I wanted a review of their decision.
The decision was overturned but people shouldn't have to jump through so many hoops and common sense should apply.

A friend whose son had Down's Syndrome was also put up for a review.
Like, as if you wake up one day and Down's Syndrome has miraculously disappeared.

Makes you wonder about the intelligence of some of the people in power at
Centrelink.

 

[Brian (the old bloke)]

Way back when the Earth was still flat, I had a delegation to approve BUT NOT REFUSE certain APS entitlements, I.E. I could say YES but not NO. NO had to be approved upstairs. That approach needs to be followed NOW where the S**T K*****s can say YES but not NO. Then, and only then will responsibility be seen to rest on responsible shoulders AND junior staff LEARN.

Brian, the old bloke

 

[Suzanne rose]

Thanks Suzanne, with all due respect as a long standing member & a Great Cook! i hardly look at facebook, anyone can say anything about pple - so i can't comment on his facebook status. When SDC posts an article such as this or c/link related, or other posts that they feel the audience of SDC Seniors might be interested in reading and making comment on, as they ask - i take these posts as being legitimate and true, if they are not than SDC is providing what, entertainment & i find this highly inappropriate - or maybe SDC enjoys, as some readers have stated, setting the cat among the pidgeons, whilst they sit back and read the flying comments! I for one take Health Seriously - it is all we really have. If this story is legitimate, i feel it is, i feel for him, his parents, who have to watch their son suffer and for all family members, friends and his daughter, not too mention that with transplants another person has to die first, which also impacts profoundly on another Family. May we all count our Blessings.

I agree 100% what you said but in today's times we can't believe everything we read.
So many people believed that woman who was poisoning her baby and made out the baby had cancer, she raised over $150,000 on GofundMe .

My daughter and myself researched Brendan Smith from The Hunter Valley and found out he won a large payout from a car accident which maybe the real reason centrelink never approved him if he is telling the truth.

It is also showing Brendan Smith from the Hunter valley did a GoFundMe page a couple of years ago for his daughter.

If I'm wrong on this one I will be the first to apologise and will also donate to his gofundme.

 

[Suzanne rose]

Way back when the Earth was still flat, I had a delegation to approve BUT NOT REFUSE certain APS entitlements, I.E. I could say YES but not NO. NO had to be approved upstairs. That approach needs to be followed NOW where the S**T K*****s can say YES but not NO. Then, and only then will responsibility be seen to rest on responsible shoulders AND junior staff LEARN.

Brian, the old bloke

??

 

[Ivory]

I wonder if there is any way he can withdraw some of his super as financial difficulties or ongoing health issues. He's not getting Govt. benefits which means he gets no reduction on Govt. rates & taxes+ things like electricity, gas, possibly medications unless he has been given a low income health care card. I think the Dr's opinion / comment is inappropriate and should nt have been included in this article.

I agree 100% that the Drs comment has no place in the article. I feel it belittles the situation that is being faced and he doesn’t need flippant comments potentially affecting his application for supports.

 

[Ivory]

Many issues, rules & regulations come into play here and we don’t know them all or what they are. I feel for people that must jump through all the hoops but as the saying goes ‘rules are rules’. Surely there is a higher authority within the department that can determine the ‘yes’ or ‘no’ of each case where a refusal for funding is involved.

Through my work I was often engaged in an Appeal process supporting a client to deal with Centrelink. It was quite often a simple documentation error that needed to be rectified but on other occasions there were legitimate reasons for refusal of payment. It’s difficult without knowing all the facts to be able to make a fully informed comment.