Help needed applying for Disability Pension

[utopia]

I'm currently in the process of gathering my medical letters confirming my mental illnesses and my current inability to cope or work.  I have filled out the forms applying for the Pension.  

My query is in relation to receiving other payments. 

I currently receive a fortnightly WorkCover payment.  It is not a large amount,  and so I also receive a part CentreLink payment for Jobseeker also. 

Will I be able to get a part Disability Pension to go with my small WorkCover payment? 

[tyme]

Hi @utopia ,

The current Centrelink benefit situation is beyond me to be honest, but I'm sure some other members will have insight into it.

I have heard the disability pension is extremely hard to get - that's all I know.

Hope other members respond soon.

tyme

[Christofuuu]

@utopia 

I know quite a lot about Centrelink payments and the rules around income and asset tests. Each Centrelink benefit has its own income and asset testing rules.

Unfortunately, due to the complexities around how Centrelink calculates how workers' compensation payments affect someone's Centrelink benefit, it would be difficult for anyone to give you a direct answer on how it might impact you. 

Maybe someone else might be able to offer some advice. I honestly would talk to Centrelink about this because they know the rules. 

[Christofuuu]

@utopia 

I can definitely give you assistance with the DSP application process. That I know very well.

So if you're unsure about anything with your application feel free to tag me and I can do my best to help you out.

[utopia]

@Christofuuu 

Can I receive a small fortnightly payment from WorkCover and still receive the Disability Pension?  Is there a maximum fortnightly amount that I can "earn" and still receive the pension? 

[Christofuuu]

Hi @utopia, 

I'm sorry but I can't be of any help with the questions you have asked.

Maybe someone else in the forum can assist or you could contact Services Australia.

Good luck, I hope your disability pension application is successful.

[StuF]

@utopia 

I don't know about Work Cover as a source of income, but you Can earn money from employment and still receive the pension. You just need to declare it each fortnight and Centrelink adjusts your pension amount accordingly.

Obviously, there is a threshold involved.

But yeah, you'd be best off talking to Centrelink or other relevant agencies to make sure

[PossumSocks]

Hi Utopia,

It depends on how large your Workcover Payment is.
Assuming you're single, if its more than $190 per fortnight, you will get a reduced amount in your DSP payment.

I'm in a similar situation, currently on WC but know that wont last long, so I will need to apply for DSP at some point. With dread 😞

I've been advised that the process is very onerous and MH claims are very difficult on the applicant, often taking several appeals.

Services Australia generally will not answer questions or be helpful, deliberately withholding information and they prefer to keep people in the dark and not know their rights

There are some resources in a fb group called "DSP Application Support Group - Australia" that might be helpful to guide you through.

I'd also recommend reaching out to one of these organisations and asking about the workcover situation and whether you'd be eligible to receive both.

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXMjWfZE6TY&ab_channel=EconomicJusticeAustralia
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02qqpMunnY8&t=15s&ab_channel=DARU

Most rejections are because the treating clinicians rarely understand the 20 points stuff and the tables. These organisations offer templates for the letters, trying to educate doctors so you dont have to go through the trauma of submitting an inadequate claim and wasting time, enegy and money getting weak reports.

Fingers crossed for you 

@utopia 

[utopia]

Thank you