The Albanese government has put an end to a disability support pension (DSP) proposal that would have made it more difficult for claimants with drug and alcohol-related illnesses to access pensions.

A spokesperson for the Department of Social Services confirmed the development as part of the budget process.

‘The reversal of this measure is a clean slate on this issue, as the department continues its review of the disability support pension impairment tables,’ they said.

A similar move gained ground in 2018 under the former Coalition government, but it was rejected by the Senate.

But despite this plan being scrapped, the Albanese government is still being pressured to act on problems with the structure of the DSP.

In 2021, a Senate inquiry found ‘serious flaws’ with the disability support pension system, which led to recommendations of improvements such as allowing applicants to qualify for DSP with an accumulated 20 points and not 20 points under one assessment table.

For an applicant to qualify, they must satisfy strict requirements such as obtaining a 20-point ‘severe’ rating under one table.

The government has backed down on a proposal that would have endangered the access of those with drug and alcohol-related issues from disability support. Stock Image Credit: Pexels/Cottonbro Studio

The government uses various tables to assess applicants for DSP, which covers many bodily functions such as brain function, digestive and reproductive function, and limb function.

The inquiry, led by Greens senator Janet Rice (we’ve included a useful video at the end of the article), also pushed for the review of a rule requiring a condition to be ‘fully diagnosed, treated, and stabilised’ over concerns it holds back many people with systemic access issues from getting aid.

Now, the Albanese government has proposed new impairment tables as part of once-a-decade reviews on rules governing disability pension eligibility.

‘The proposed changes to the Impairment Tables are to improve consistency, address advancements in medical technology and terminology, provide clearer guidance and improve accessibility.’ the Department of Social Services said.

‘The changes aim to ensure there is better clarity around eligibility for the Disability Support Pension.’

Other key changes are requirements for health conditions to just be ‘diagnosed, reasonably treated, and stabilised’ to qualify for DSP.

Persons with conditions like cancer are also expected to have easier access to DSP, while those with mental health conditions must first obtain evidence from registered psychologists.

A 2021 Senate review found many points for improvement in Australia’s disability guidelines. Stock Image Credit: Pexels/Anas Aldyab

But the new tables have received mixed reactions, with some concerned they are still preventing many people in need of financial aid from accessing disability aid.

For one, Rice claimed the changes were ‘a few minor tweaks’ that ignored her Senate panel’s findings in 2021.

One key criticism from her was that the rule on illnesses being ‘diagnosed, reasonably treated, and stabilised’ should have been scrapped outright as it still presented a hurdle for those with disabilities.

This is an opinion shared by Kristin O’Connor, a DSP recipient and spokesperson of the Antipoverty Centre.

‘If it’s functionally impairing you, why should you need to have those criteria fulfilled?’ she asked.

Others also saw the need for improvement despite the welcome changes.

‘Too often the word “unable” appears in the suggested reforms, rather than “experiences severe difficulty in performing”,’ said Ian Turton of the Illawarra Legal Centre.

‘These are meant to assess their ability to work. In the workplace, the issue isn’t the ability to do something once off and then rest. It’s “can this person sustain tasks like this in a work-based environment?”’

‘Some of the tables are still an “all or nothing” test. I’ve seen Centrelink lawyers say, “This client picked up a pen, which means they can lean forward and pick up a light object”, which is one of the tests in the tables. There are too many gotcha moments in the changes.’

Australian Council of Social Service Chief Executive Cassandra Goldie meanwhile found a few things to celebrate in the revised impairment tables, such as improved recognition of disabilities and conditions, including neurodiversity.

‘Ultimately, however, amendments to the impairment tables can only go so far,’ she said.

‘The real issues with access to DSP will still need to be addressed.’

Key Takeaways

• The Albanese government has backed down from a proposal that would have made it harder for people with drug and alcohol-related conditions to get access to the disability support pension.
• Advocates have had mixed reactions to the proposed revisions, which have been criticised by welfare groups for blocking many people from government support.
• But advocates say the language in some of the new impairment tables would be problematic for some applicants.

DSP varies on a case-to-case basis, but the maximum basic rate for a single person aged 21 and above without a child per fortnight is currently $936.80.

Figures from the Department of Social Services earlier revealed that around 358,000 Australians, about 43.1%, on JobSeeker payment only had a ‘partial capacity to work’ for 15-30 hours weekly.

These people included those with various ailments, including cancer, musculoskeletal or connective tissue diseases, and mental health conditions.

What is your reaction to this story? What other changes do you think could be done so more people with disabilities can access the disability support pension?

Tell us your thoughts and opinions below!

Source: YouTube/Australian Greens​

 

[Gsr]

Due to employer negligence my sister was injured at work when a client whose mobility had deteriorated to the extent he needed a lifter, which wasn’t supplied by the employer, and they never advised my sister of his changed condition when they sent her to assist him at home while the rest of them enjoyed their Christmas party. The client fell on her, resulting in injuries to her back, hip, leg. She can no longer work, the company wiped her off their books after the mandatory compensation period ended. She has medical certificates from her GP, specialists, physio. Despite all this and the fact she is in constant pain, has trouble mobilising, needs a walking stick to mobilise when she can, has days she can’t get out of bed, can’t even do things like carry a bag of groceries anymore, she doesn’t qualify for a disability pension. She is on jobseeker and has to supply a medical certificate every three months so she doesn’t need to apply for jobs. The system sucks and needs to be fixed urgently.

 

[Glo72]

The Albanese government has put an end to a disability support pension (DSP) proposal that would have made it more difficult for claimants with drug and alcohol-related illnesses to access pensions.

A spokesperson for the Department of Social Services confirmed the development as part of the budget process.

‘The reversal of this measure is a clean slate on this issue, as the department continues its review of the disability support pension impairment tables,’ they said.

A similar move gained ground in 2018 under the former Coalition government, but it was rejected by the Senate.

But despite this plan being scrapped, the Albanese government is still being pressured to act on problems with the structure of the DSP.

In 2021, a Senate inquiry found ‘serious flaws’ with the disability support pension system, which led to recommendations of improvements such as allowing applicants to qualify for DSP with an accumulated 20 points and not 20 points under one assessment table.

For an applicant to qualify, they must satisfy strict requirements such as obtaining a 20-point ‘severe’ rating under one table.

View attachment 9428

The government has backed down on a proposal that would have endangered the access of those with drug and alcohol-related issues from disability support. Stock Image Credit: Pexels/Cottonbro Studio

The government uses various tables to assess applicants for DSP, which covers many bodily functions such as brain function, digestive and reproductive function, and limb function.

The inquiry, led by Greens senator Janet Rice (we’ve included a useful video at the end of the article), also pushed for the review of a rule requiring a condition to be ‘fully diagnosed, treated, and stabilised’ over concerns it holds back many people with systemic access issues from getting aid.

Now, the Albanese government has proposed new impairment tables as part of once-a-decade reviews on rules governing disability pension eligibility.

‘The proposed changes to the Impairment Tables are to improve consistency, address advancements in medical technology and terminology, provide clearer guidance and improve accessibility.’ the Department of Social Services said.

‘The changes aim to ensure there is better clarity around eligibility for the Disability Support Pension.’

Other key changes are requirements for health conditions to just be ‘diagnosed, reasonably treated, and stabilised’ to qualify for DSP.

Persons with conditions like cancer are also expected to have easier access to DSP, while those with mental health conditions must first obtain evidence from registered psychologists.

View attachment 9427

A 2021 Senate review found many points for improvement in Australia’s disability guidelines. Stock Image Credit: Pexels/Anas Aldyab

But the new tables have received mixed reactions, with some concerned they are still preventing many people in need of financial aid from accessing disability aid.

For one, Rice claimed the changes were ‘a few minor tweaks’ that ignored her Senate panel’s findings in 2021.

One key criticism from her was that the rule on illnesses being ‘diagnosed, reasonably treated, and stabilised’ should have been scrapped outright as it still presented a hurdle for those with disabilities.

This is an opinion shared by Kristin O’Connor, a DSP recipient and spokesperson of the Antipoverty Centre.

‘If it’s functionally impairing you, why should you need to have those criteria fulfilled?’ she asked.

Others also saw the need for improvement despite the welcome changes.

‘Too often the word “unable” appears in the suggested reforms, rather than “experiences severe difficulty in performing”,’ said Ian Turton of the Illawarra Legal Centre.

‘These are meant to assess their ability to work. In the workplace, the issue isn’t the ability to do something once off and then rest. It’s “can this person sustain tasks like this in a work-based environment?”’

‘Some of the tables are still an “all or nothing” test. I’ve seen Centrelink lawyers say, “This client picked up a pen, which means they can lean forward and pick up a light object”, which is one of the tests in the tables. There are too many gotcha moments in the changes.’

Australian Council of Social Service Chief Executive Cassandra Goldie meanwhile found a few things to celebrate in the revised impairment tables, such as improved recognition of disabilities and conditions, including neurodiversity.

‘Ultimately, however, amendments to the impairment tables can only go so far,’ she said.

‘The real issues with access to DSP will still need to be addressed.’

Key Takeaways

• The Albanese government has backed down from a proposal that would have made it harder for people with drug and alcohol-related conditions to get access to the disability support pension.
• Advocates have had mixed reactions to the proposed revisions, which have been criticised by welfare groups for blocking many people from government support.
• But advocates say the language in some of the new impairment tables would be problematic for some applicants.

DSP varies on a case-to-case basis, but the maximum basic rate for a single person aged 21 and above without a child per fortnight is currently $936.80.

Figures from the Department of Social Services earlier revealed that around 358,000 Australians, about 43.1%, on JobSeeker payment only had a ‘partial capacity to work’ for 15-30 hours weekly.

These people included those with various ailments, including cancer, musculoskeletal or connective tissue diseases, and mental health conditions.

What is your reaction to this story? What other changes do you think could be done so more people with disabilities can access the disability support pension?

Tell us your thoughts and opinions below!

Source: YouTube/Australian Greens​

 

[Lynette Finnigan]

Well..the disability pension is supposed to support people who can't work, or who can no longer work through no fault of their own (from birth or injury, etc), not because you're just a lazy twit who wants to sit around drinking or doing drugs all day!! Why should the public support them?? What have they done to deserve hard-working people's tax money?? No, they should just get the dole and have work opportunities in supervised employment (like actual disable people do who want to work and don't have the mental capacity to work unsupervised). People on the dole should also have to work (because if you're out there doing stuff, it keeps you connected to work opportunities and you're more likely to get a job than just sitting home all day).. so they should not have increased the dole, they should have allowed people to get 2 days pay and it not affect the dole.. hopefully the people see the money they can earn working..and that, contrary to belief, working can bring enjoyment, friendships self fulfilment etc....and hopefully it leads them into fulltime work rather than sitting on the dole for generations (and we all know that there are families out there that are generational unemployed..zero work ethic and zero ability to break that cycle!!) Good luck to politicians that find the answer to this issue..they want change, but to make change, they are going to have to fund it..and they should have put an idea into action before they spent that money on just increasing the dole!!

 

[Gaena]

The whole system is a complete stuff up Sometimes I wonder if the people who work out who and who doesn't qualify have a degree in stupidity.
Many years ago, my daughter who has an intellectual disability, moved with us from WA to SA
On arrival we received paperwork requiring her to reapply for her DSP???
I assured them that if her disability was going to disappear because we crossed the Nullabor we would have done so many years before.
She was then reinstated, but 5 years later again same thing happened
A friend was also made to prove again that her son had downs syndrome.
Are these people who work in these govt departments complete morons, perhaps they should apply for the DSP themselves!!!
People with children who have complex conditions have enough stress and worry in their lives without all this crap.

Most of the Social workers who inhabit Center Link have a university degree which apparently gives them far more intelligence than those of us without that degree, I have found over the years that intelligence does not equal common sense, that is something that cannot be taught or learned in a classroom. I am yet to come across any government worker in any capacity that displays any of that elusive attribute, apologies if my opinion causes upset to those who have it or have friends and or family that do.

 

[SenDen22]

The Albanese government has put an end to a disability support pension (DSP) proposal that would have made it more difficult for claimants with drug and alcohol-related illnesses to access pensions.

A spokesperson for the Department of Social Services confirmed the development as part of the budget process.

‘The reversal of this measure is a clean slate on this issue, as the department continues its review of the disability support pension impairment tables,’ they said.

A similar move gained ground in 2018 under the former Coalition government, but it was rejected by the Senate.

But despite this plan being scrapped, the Albanese government is still being pressured to act on problems with the structure of the DSP.

In 2021, a Senate inquiry found ‘serious flaws’ with the disability support pension system, which led to recommendations of improvements such as allowing applicants to qualify for DSP with an accumulated 20 points and not 20 points under one assessment table.

For an applicant to qualify, they must satisfy strict requirements such as obtaining a 20-point ‘severe’ rating under one table.

View attachment 9428

The government has backed down on a proposal that would have endangered the access of those with drug and alcohol-related issues from disability support. Stock Image Credit: Pexels/Cottonbro Studio

The government uses various tables to assess applicants for DSP, which covers many bodily functions such as brain function, digestive and reproductive function, and limb function.

The inquiry, led by Greens senator Janet Rice (we’ve included a useful video at the end of the article), also pushed for the review of a rule requiring a condition to be ‘fully diagnosed, treated, and stabilised’ over concerns it holds back many people with systemic access issues from getting aid.

Now, the Albanese government has proposed new impairment tables as part of once-a-decade reviews on rules governing disability pension eligibility.

‘The proposed changes to the Impairment Tables are to improve consistency, address advancements in medical technology and terminology, provide clearer guidance and improve accessibility.’ the Department of Social Services said.

‘The changes aim to ensure there is better clarity around eligibility for the Disability Support Pension.’

Other key changes are requirements for health conditions to just be ‘diagnosed, reasonably treated, and stabilised’ to qualify for DSP.

Persons with conditions like cancer are also expected to have easier access to DSP, while those with mental health conditions must first obtain evidence from registered psychologists.

View attachment 9427

A 2021 Senate review found many points for improvement in Australia’s disability guidelines. Stock Image Credit: Pexels/Anas Aldyab

But the new tables have received mixed reactions, with some concerned they are still preventing many people in need of financial aid from accessing disability aid.

For one, Rice claimed the changes were ‘a few minor tweaks’ that ignored her Senate panel’s findings in 2021.

One key criticism from her was that the rule on illnesses being ‘diagnosed, reasonably treated, and stabilised’ should have been scrapped outright as it still presented a hurdle for those with disabilities.

This is an opinion shared by Kristin O’Connor, a DSP recipient and spokesperson of the Antipoverty Centre.

‘If it’s functionally impairing you, why should you need to have those criteria fulfilled?’ she asked.

Others also saw the need for improvement despite the welcome changes.

‘Too often the word “unable” appears in the suggested reforms, rather than “experiences severe difficulty in performing”,’ said Ian Turton of the Illawarra Legal Centre.

‘These are meant to assess their ability to work. In the workplace, the issue isn’t the ability to do something once off and then rest. It’s “can this person sustain tasks like this in a work-based environment?”’

‘Some of the tables are still an “all or nothing” test. I’ve seen Centrelink lawyers say, “This client picked up a pen, which means they can lean forward and pick up a light object”, which is one of the tests in the tables. There are too many gotcha moments in the changes.’

Australian Council of Social Service Chief Executive Cassandra Goldie meanwhile found a few things to celebrate in the revised impairment tables, such as improved recognition of disabilities and conditions, including neurodiversity.

‘Ultimately, however, amendments to the impairment tables can only go so far,’ she said.

‘The real issues with access to DSP will still need to be addressed.’

Key Takeaways

• The Albanese government has backed down from a proposal that would have made it harder for people with drug and alcohol-related conditions to get access to the disability support pension.
• Advocates have had mixed reactions to the proposed revisions, which have been criticised by welfare groups for blocking many people from government support.
• But advocates say the language in some of the new impairment tables would be problematic for some applicants.

DSP varies on a case-to-case basis, but the maximum basic rate for a single person aged 21 and above without a child per fortnight is currently $936.80.

Figures from the Department of Social Services earlier revealed that around 358,000 Australians, about 43.1%, on JobSeeker payment only had a ‘partial capacity to work’ for 15-30 hours weekly.

These people included those with various ailments, including cancer, musculoskeletal or connective tissue diseases, and mental health conditions.

What is your reaction to this story? What other changes do you think could be done so more people with disabilities can access the disability support pension?

Tell us your thoughts and opinions below!

Source: YouTube/Australian Greens​

Have a little to do with this through a friend in care work for these drug and Alcohol affected people. that person is not allowed to talk but I'am 72 and have been around people like that all my life had a brother drink hisself to death, this is the only place where the debit card should be used, rent paid phone delivered food groceries etc NDIS guides for them, where they stay in care payday is mayhem sneaking drugs in being refused entry. really idiotic ideas, like hand the client the whole packet of pills and say only take one, yeh right BS. this is to keep them coming so they always have clients. they made the decision to start, to smart for family cops etc, now can't outthink a matchbox. so must be guided hand in hand. a fullstop will only drive up crime. I have even seen a woman I gave a lift to go get a Vinnies $25 Card go to a pub give to to publican he gave it to his yardman he just lets live there on a pension. open peoples eyes to reality. must be officials who will keep an eye of providers say of groceries that they don't hike up the price because they do massively, saying they have to wait for Gov' refund.

 

[JayKay]

These tales of pain and suffering and being misunderstood are incredibly sad.
Consistent, persistent and relentless pain may lead to anxiety and depression, which may then lead to alcoholism and drug dependency.
Within the government, who decides who is permanently in need of help?
Some young healthy smart Alec just out of Uni with no life experience.
Or some old codger long passed his use by date working as a pretend expert saying no to everything in favour of the government so he keeps his job.
Times like this, I half think the worst on these government officials.
Please God, forgive me.

 

[JayKay]

When I was removed from my home and children because of false allegations about me being a child beater, I was homeless and without any money at all.
My husband sealed all my accounts, despite the fact that I bought our first house outright.
Then he transferred all our shares into newly created companies so that they were untraceable.
I never got a penny.
When I first applied for a single mothers pension, I had to go to the government offices for a medical.
I was already disabled, but struggled on
The dear lady doctor told me she was going to put me on a Disability Pension, as I couldn't work and would never work again.
It was the best thing for me, I was in my early 40s.
When I reached aged pension age, I was transferred to that, my Bank Manager told me it was a better, safer option in case the Disability Pension criteria changed.
I was treated fairly, but I am aware of so many who are not.
I worked hard and paid taxes, so I don't feel guilty.
My Mum only applied for a Pension when she was 72, she worked up until then.
Sadly, she died at 75, so the Government only supported her for a few years

 

[Capsam]

After several years of military service, I studied, retrained and worked in the same profession for four decades, that work eventually ruined my physical and mental health. My last job with Q Health ended when I was forcibly "retired" due to my declining health conditions.
Centrelink then decided that I was capable of working 30-40 hours a week.
"Newstart"???? What an insult to ones intelligence especially after fifty years of constant employment!
I took a ream of paperwork from consultant surgeons, physicians and psychiatrists, physiotherapists, occupational health and psychologists, including agents from Dept. of Veterans Affairs, all testifying to my disability, to C-link only to have it rejected by a brat with a checklist. The extra stress of having to apply for several jobs per week further weakened me.
It took five years of repeated applications and arguing with the dullards in C-link before I was finally accepted as being unfit to work. I was beginning to believe that the only evidence of disability, they would accept, would be my death certificate!

So sorry for the additional stress you had to endure! Having dealt with C/Link I concur with you. It is so annoying to have authentic documentation from specialists & health professionals brushed aside by some 25 year old WITHOUT a medical degree!!

 

[joshram]

The fact is that Centrelink usurp the medical opinion of specialists. Surely if a specialist defines a disability, it is sufficient to access payment. I know of cases where up to 3 specialists have defined the disability but the claim was denied by Centrelink.

A friend who is now unable to walk or work has been turned down by Centrelink twice on the grounds that his disability is being treated. It is being treated in the hope that it does not worsen, the condition might stabilise but usually worsens. He asked C-link what he could do to be eligible for a pension and the answer was "Give up treatment"! In the meantime his wife, who is also ill, is working to support both of them. They have both worked all their lives and paid taxes but now that they need help there is none there.

 

[Les_D]

After several years of military service, I studied, retrained and worked in the same profession for four decades, that work eventually ruined my physical and mental health. My last job with Q Health ended when I was forcibly "retired" due to my declining health conditions.
Centrelink then decided that I was capable of working 30-40 hours a week.
"Newstart"???? What an insult to ones intelligence especially after fifty years of constant employment!
I took a ream of paperwork from consultant surgeons, physicians and psychiatrists, physiotherapists, occupational health and psychologists, including agents from Dept. of Veterans Affairs, all testifying to my disability, to C-link only to have it rejected by a brat with a checklist. The extra stress of having to apply for several jobs per week further weakened me.
It took five years of repeated applications and arguing with the dullards in C-link before I was finally accepted as being unfit to work. I was beginning to believe that the only evidence of disability, they would accept, would be my death certificate!

A Death Certificate would not work or I would have presented them with 2 from my Cardiac Arrests! They kept me on Newstart even though they paid for a Carer for me. That meant I was "able to work" but unable to look after myself (i.e. remember to take medication, attend appointments, cook meals, clean the house and other things). I finally got the DSP but it will be reviewed after 2 years and now I am in the process of trying to get help from NDIS which is another trial again as there is no clear definition of the process available.

 

[debjane]

After several years of military service, I studied, retrained and worked in the same profession for four decades, that work eventually ruined my physical and mental health. My last job with Q Health ended when I was forcibly "retired" due to my declining health conditions.
Centrelink then decided that I was capable of working 30-40 hours a week.
"Newstart"???? What an insult to ones intelligence especially after fifty years of constant employment!
I took a ream of paperwork from consultant surgeons, physicians and psychiatrists, physiotherapists, occupational health and psychologists, including agents from Dept. of Veterans Affairs, all testifying to my disability, to C-link only to have it rejected by a brat with a checklist. The extra stress of having to apply for several jobs per week further weakened me.
It took five years of repeated applications and arguing with the dullards in C-link before I was finally accepted as being unfit to work. I was beginning to believe that the only evidence of disability, they would accept, would be my death certificate!

I had a brat with a checklist make a report that I could work 8 to 15 hours a week and in 2 years I would be "cured" and would be able to work 30+ hour a week , a phone app, she did not know how to pronounce my condition let alone know what it was, I am sure the orthopedic specialists would love to know I could be cured, she sounded like she was still peeing in a nappy. I went over their heads with the full surport of the Disabilty employment officer, he read my file and said if my appeal did not succeed he would personally recommend I go onto DSP, I put in an appeal to the federal minister for social security and had my DSP approved within 2 weeks and that included 11 months back pay as I was on newstart trying do deal with banks after a marriage breakup, ex expected me to pay $2200 a month in mortgage and insurance payments on $1200 a month, I was living with my son and he refused to take any money from me in the 2 years I lived with him, I have Charcotts Arthopathy in both feet, right one is far worse than the left foot and will be on crutches for life.

 

[JustPat]

I worked for many years and loved my job . But after surgery gone very wrong I suffer pain in my stomach and back and the worst thing is severe depression and anxiety.

I was one of those who use to think why can't someone control their mind and thoughts.

After my surgery in November 2019, I went from a person who helped others, worked hard and enjoyed life. Now I've gone to someone who sometimes just can't get out of bed, who cries for no reason, who sees nothing but blackness, there you go I'm shaking and crying now.

I've been seeing a psychologist for over a year at a cost of $180, I get a certain ammount each year under Medicare but unless I've hit the threshold I am still out of pocket $80.

I had to stop work beginning of 2021 due to the chronic infection in my stomach and depression, I went on jobseeker which I have to give a medical certificate every 3 months

My psychologist told me on Wednesday to apply for disability payment that she will do my forms. I'm on Lyrica for nerve pain and Escitalopram for depression.
Both my GP and psychologist want me to see a psychiatrist to get stronger medication.

I haven't applied for DSP as people have told me it's hard to go on although my brother who is 4 years younger than me , he is 57 has been on it for 5 years due to being an alcoholic .

This is the first time I've been on centrelink, I've always worked and paid my taxes and became the breed winner 15 years ago.

They need to fix this and give it too the people who need it

See your doctor re a health care plan and referral to a psychologist (you can get up to 5 a year and that should cut your costs).

 

[Suzanne rose]

See your doctor re a health care plan and referral to a psychologist (you can get up to 5 a year and that should cut your costs).

I had already used 2 of these this year, still cost $70 and $80 out of pocket I've now reach the Medicare threshold but unfortunately when you have used up the ones done through the health plan you can't claim anything from Medicare

 

[Koda]

Application for DSP is ridiculous drug addiction and alcohol addiction is no more a disability than gambling, yet there are people out there with chronic spinal and shoulder issues that don’t qualify and are inoperable who live on pain medication to just survive which in itself is destroying their ability to carry out any work due to unbearable pain and they have to survive on unemployment have u ever tried it ? With all the increases it’s almost impossible to survive on a pension let alone unemployment. In saying that there are a lot of people on benefits that should be made to work for their money one way or another either work for benefits or mandatory forces enrolment but this is another subject but is costing millions to support

 

[Suzanne rose]

Application for DSP is ridiculous drug addiction and alcohol addiction is no more a disability than gambling, yet there are people out there with chronic spinal and shoulder issues that don’t qualify and are inoperable who live on pain medication to just survive which in itself is destroying their ability to carry out any work due to unbearable pain and they have to survive on unemployment have u ever tried it ? With all the increases it’s almost impossible to survive on a pension let alone unemployment. In saying that there are a lot of people on benefits that should be made to work for their money one way or another either work for benefits or mandatory forces enrolment but this is another subject but is costing millions to support

I wonder if they will accept drug addiction to pain meds

 

[Jennylolo]

I had a car accident in 1978, and it's been an uphill battle to convince anyone, especially doctors, that I really do have a disability - just because I'm not in a wheelchair, it doesn't mean that the pain is any less. I can sit for limited periods, but even to carry a handbag around unless it's on my back, and even then, it's nearly impossible, as my muscles are aching all the time. My sleep is sometimes non-existent due to the pain.

I had a great chiropractor who I'd been seeing since 1986 when I moved to Canberra, and he actually diagnosed the fibromyalgia. He sent me to a doctor friend of his who had studied the condition and its co-morbidity with osetoarthritis, and agreed. Since then I've had to move away from Canberra (can't afford the rental market on a single pension), and have had no end of troubles convincing my now doctor that I actually have the condition, as most 'rural' doctors rarely come across the condition, let alone studied it.

fibromyalgia is incredibly common. I was first diagnosed when I was 15. That's 51 years ago. But doctors don't do anything to help. My chiro has been my lifeline in coping too.

 

[Jennylolo]

See your doctor re a health care plan and referral to a psychologist (you can get up to 5 a year and that should cut your costs).

I can get up to 10 a year from my GP.

 

[Janmf]

The fact is that Centrelink usurp the medical opinion of specialists. Surely if a specialist defines a disability, it is sufficient to access payment. I know of cases where up to 3 specialists have defined the disability but the claim was denied by Centrelink.

I had the exact thing happen to me, I had several specialists reports ,mri reports Dr reports and it took 18 months and I told them I would could not survive on Newstart and would end my life as it would be easier, I was 60 and my husband had to go into a nursing home. They wanted to know what job I could do, well I never had to work so the last job was in 1978 so I don’t think I could get a job even if I was able to.

 

[Ashmenou]

I don't feel that drugs and alcohol are a dissabillity. The person chose to take those. People that can never work again due to back problems, (due to no fault of their own)that can't sit or stand for a period of time greater than 15mins should be able to get onto dissabillity payments, not anyone that continues to consume drugs and/or alcohol.

Total agree

 

[Penny4]

People have told me that alcohol addiction with the disability pension isn't forever at anyway.
Apparently, it's all computer generated whereby the govt will know when the person's time is up - to cease payments. The Govt reckons that alcoholics can get better.
As for drug takers, that payment is gone so their next step is stealing.