Forum Discussion
Brenda5
8 years agoMember
Newstart Centerlink MD's?
Somehow Centerlink are now medical doctors as they will not accept a second three month doctors certificate to say I cannot work and they say I am to be booked in to see a disability job provider even though they refuse to pay me a disability pension. I left in tears.
24 Replies
- ZoffielMember
That's fantastic news @brenda5 but it is disgraceful that you have been given such a run around to get to such an obvious destination.
Though the response from the job provider is appropriate, you going to see them every fortnight is only keeping them on the public teat. Which is also irritating when they are probably charging more for their non-service than you are getting in payments. Make sure if there is help available you find out what it is and accept it if you need it. That way at least someone deserving is benefiting.
Anyway, put your feet up and enjoy a bit of 'me time' for now. Don't spend that centrelink cheque all at once :)
Marg xxx
- Brenda5MemberCentrelink refused to implement my second doctors certificate however there is good news.
They have referred me to a disability job provider and the boss lady of that immediately put a line through Centrelinks idea of applying for 20 jobs per month and said I could have a year off of that. I still have to see them every fortnight as I think the government pays them for that but it will be more to checking how my mental and bodily health is going and do I need any extra help or not.
I got the feeling from both the centrelinks complaints dept and the disability job provider that my case fell only a few points short of disability pension as the job provider said should I get any more side effects or medical problems to let them know immediately.
I would rather NOT have anything more go wrong with me thank you lol.
I am hoping I can stay on this Tamoxifen and live a very quiet low stress life and then get my brain power and full body energy back when my medications stop in a few more years time. - FlaneuseMember@Brenda5 I've been worried for you about this. I'm overwhelmed at the moment because of all the complications and waits and frustrations, waiting for surgery; but there's nothing I can do about that. I'm just in the system. But YOU should be able to have an immediate response to your situation. Honestly, you don't NEED to wait. For your own sake, I strongly urge you to contact Mr Pitt's office, with the details I gave before. They should be able to sort it immediately. You should not have to suffer this complication on top of the cancer and treatment. Fran x @"Beryl C." @Michelle_BCNA
- Michelle_BCNAMemberHi @Brenda5,
I'm sorry to hear Centrelink is causing you grief at a time when you least need it.
It makes absolutely no sense that cancer is seen as a disability in the eyes of the law but not Centrelink.
You have received some great advice from the online members and I agree this is a situation that requires action.
There is a good chance that once you go to the Disability Employment Service they will accept the Doctors Certificate however, you shouldn't have to take this step. I also recommend you get in touch with your local member. They are in a position to deliver quick results.
If you have any further questions or if I can help in any way feel free to message me online or ring the advisory line and ask to speak to Michelle.
Please keep me updated with your progress.
Best wishes,
Michelle - Beryl_C_MemberBrenda5 - please make sure you accept all offers for help with this madness. Next time you go to C/link ask someone to go with you if that's possible.
I had experience of their madness a few years ago and phoned my local Fed.MP - I was in tears and the woman I spoke to said she had a direct line to C/Link and would attend to the matter. Within one hour she phoned to say everything had been sorted. I wrote to the MP expressing my thanks. - FlaneuseMember@Brenda5 That's good news, for the time being. Fran x
- Brenda5MemberI would say someone with half a brain in centerlink accepted the second certificate as I haven't heard a word from or about the disability job provider yet. ;)
- onemargieMemberhi there @Brenda5 how did you go with Centrelink??
Margie - Brenda5MemberHi @Rapunzel, CenterStink, lol I love it. Very appropriate name. To date, my first medical certificate expired on the 6th. No call from disability provider yet. May be someone higher up in CenterStink accepted the second certificate after all.
- Jax1964MemberYou need to be aware of your rights and quote them to Centrelink staff.
There is a huge difference between Newstart with Exemption and Disability.
Both Dis and NwE require a Job Assessment. Many people with a permanent disability are quite capable of a few hours work so they are automatically being sent to Job Assessment.
Newstart with Exemption requires a doctors cert to say how long you are EXEMPT from work. When I had a broken leg it was a standard 6 weeks - I still had to turn up at Job Assessment on crutches. She ticked the box as exempt and sent me on my way.