Disability Support Pension Appealing

Hi I was diagnosed with triple negative grade 3 stage 2 cancer 2 days before christmas 2020. I have a back injury and have been on the public waiting list for surgery as well as mental health issues. My claim for the disability pension got rejected as they like to say so I am putting in an appeal. I understand you have to reach a certain criteria. I have been unable to work for a very long time now and I would like some advice on appealing this decision. I have no idea how long my journey will be
Tagged:
0
Comments
@Suzie82. ... I hope that this info from @AllyJay helps in your appeal. xx
You can put in any additional medical reports within the 13 weeks period if it is relevant at the time you first put in your application for a DSP. Also you mentioned that you are on a waiting list for back surgery, unfortunately Centrelink expect that your health conditions are Fully Diagnosed Treated and Stabilised (FDTS), and that would be one reason they perhaps will not allocate any points on the Spinal Table. It really stinks, doesn't it?
Also with the mental health issues, a report from a Clinical psychologist is needed or from a psychiatrist. Centrelink will not allocate any points under Table 5 unless you have the report from a CLINICAL psychologist or a psychiatrist, a counsellor or just any counselling psychologist will not suffice.
They will not tell you that you need to do a POS (Program of Support) for 18 months BEFORE you apply and be exited from the program. The program is essentially to help you get back into work, but if you get 20 points under one Table then you do not need to do the POS.
As @AllyJay says, a Social Worker may be able to assist you. Also I suggest you do not give up on receiving a Disability Pension, as this will really assist you to get the allied health care that would benefit you, afterall that is really why we need a disability pension.
If you have difficulty with public transport you may be eligible for a mobility allowance, that is independent of whether you receive a DSP or are on Jobseeker allowance.
Best wishes with the appeal.
.
Thank you very much for your advice. I am so sorry you have had to go through it all it must have been very frustrating and mentally draining. Thank you for the link to download the points score. It is sad to know how they judge people like this on what is wrong and it sounds like they are very strict. Pbviously they don't know what it is like to be in such a difficult positon. I am very happy for you that you were finally able to get on the dsp. I would celebrate to after all of the trouble you have been through. Thank you again and take care xo
My doctor gave me a series of medical certificates which exempted me from the dread mutual responsibility obligations while I was on Newstart. Eventually this attracted the attention of the bean counters and they started to question the validity of the exemptions and I was called in for a 'please explain' meeting.
I was in such a wretched state that I ended up having a meltdown during the meeting. When it came to light that I had been in a similar situation ten years previously things changed a little--no-one had bothered to check that.
In the end, I was left on the dole but they did give me a pensioner concession card for 12 months. That made a huge difference as I was then eligible for a variety of discounts -- rego, rates, pharma, medical services etc --that really helped me drag myself through my slow and painful 'recovery' without going bankrupt.
Good luck, @Suzie82. It is is a cruel and punitive system. Please don't give up on it, no-one should be subjected to the ritual humiliation that has been put in place to make it so difficult that many simply can't endure the process. MXX
Zoffiel Oh your journey has not been nice to you at all. I am so sorry you have been through this and still going through it. I am glad you pointd out to the social worker about limited places of empolyment and it sounds very limited to what you can do and they should take this into consideration. The last comment definately would have woken them up to the fact you are serious. I am glad you got over the line and they approved it for you. Thinking of you and thank you for sharing your journey. talke care xo
Hi Keepingpositive Thank you kindly for your reply. I really appreciate your input and have made some notes. Yes I am getting a better understanding of what is required and I see there is a lot that they definately don't mention that could assist a person in meeting the criteria. Thank you once again and I wish you all the best also
thank you
Hi AllyJay I apologise I commented on your post on another comment here. I have to get used to using this system.Your an inspiring person for all that you have been through I am glad you fought for what you wanted and are entitled to. I wish you all the best
Hi Zoffiel I apologise I think I commented before and I wrote the wrong response to a different person. I am sorry to hear about what you have gone through.. Not good when they didn't bother to check that you had been in a similar situation before, Yes it is a long journey and a tough one and I am glad you were able to get a pensioner concession card to assist with the discounts available to help you financially. I truly wish they had just simply granted it for you and it isn't fair as how does one put a timeline on cancer ? Our health is extremely important and to question you on the validity of your exemptions whilst on newstart thats awful. I am sorry that happened to you. I hope that you are doing much better now. I won't give up I will keep at it and fight xo
no it shouldn't be this hard and it saddens me for what other people have had to go through. Yes I am extremely greatful to everyone here that has given me advice and shared their experiences. xo