Welfare question

car10002 · 25-01-2014, 08:46 PM

Hi with the welfare cuts talk with the dsp included what does it mean does it only mean tempory dsp or new people applying

Just asked as not sure

poppa smurf · 25-01-2014, 10:24 PM

As far as I am aware it will only affect new applicants, the applicant point system has recently been increased to 20 points in some states, almost unattainable now, but it, like everything else, is getting harder to achieve.

Mind you, I see a lot of folks on the disability pension who have no right to be on it.

The disability side of things has been "toughened up", assistance is becoming non existent and funding is being withdrawn or cut right back.

I remember, not that long ago when cutbacks were occurring, the folks were leaving their charges on government steps or train stations, simply walking away from their disabled as it had become too hard, those days may be upon us once more.

car10002 · 25-01-2014, 10:27 PM

How sure you that it'll only affect new applicants

JC · 25-01-2014, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by car10002

How sure you that it'll only affect new applicants

Government policy is rarely made retrospective, so mostly there are grand fathered provisions built into any new tougher rules, though that is not always the case. If you or someone you know is truly disabled and deserving of DSP, then you/they have nothing to worry about.

car10002 · 26-01-2014, 12:01 AM

So the ones that are disabled or have a disability have nothing to worry about

BHDOGS · 26-01-2014, 12:10 AM

Correct only the carers are being screwed instead of getting a 600 dollar bonus a year to enjoy life for a couple weeks for giving up your life to care for someone you love you now get nothing except poverty street on your base rate of 600 a fortnight happy livings to u carers it's a ******* disgrace

poppa smurf · 26-01-2014, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by car10002

How sure you that it'll only affect new applicants

I'm a full-time carer (disabled, cerebral palsy son).......I also advocate for other carers who can't do it themselves, I work closely with disadvantaged children and I'm also a member of the SA carers association amongst other thing's.

The details are sketchy but There are many cutbacks in the pipeline that are being "revisited" but as usual they affect mainly the poorer or more "disadvantaged" in society.

One cutback looks to be the end of year bonus, many others include the POSSIBLE reduction of respite services, in home and external.

But according to some moronic folks and some halfwit backbenchers we only use the payment for new plasma TV's so that's okay.......Trouble is most that I know are using the payments to buy frivolous things like new wheelchairs and mobility aids that can't be afforded normally.

The best way to find out and possibly minimise the inevitable cutbacks is to email your local member and also the minister for disabilities.

if we all sit silent then we deserve to lose the little benefits we have, far better to take up the drum and bang it loudly and early.

I know of quite a few carers who are saying they have had enough and want their life back, I have no idea what is to become of their charges, institutions have shut down, hospitals can't take them, old folks homes don't want them.

Spudz27 · 26-01-2014, 11:48 AM

I am not a carer but am on DSP. However I work part time and I get no payments at all. I just get the healghcare card. The thing that makes me laugh is the people out there saying kick the bludgers off dsp, lock up the cheats. I went on DSP in oct 2012 when it became clear I was never going to pass a medical for employment for the rest of my life. I could not even get a desk job because the job required a medical and the Dr doing it freaked out (as all do that don't know me) and started askijg how I was still alive and why am I even allowed a drivers licence etc, because I have a very complicated heart condition and they immediately pigeon hole me based on my medical history. Don't worry that I pass the test, can hear at 1db and have 6/4 sight. So I was put on to DSP just to have some form of income, but the hoops I jumped through to prove eligibility was alot. I had to have dr and specialist signatures, I had to be assessed and then let a case worker have access to my full medical history and even then I only got $100 as my partner earnt 40k and was expected that we all survive off that. I now work part time and claim no payments but I still get the healthcare card, which I need for all my meds. One of the biggest reasons I was given access to DSP is that I am a ticking time bomb if you will, at anytime I can become too sick to work. If the changes weed out the real cheats then yes I am for the changes, but I feel genuinely disabled are going to either be denied access on technicalities or caught up in the changes and losd payments.

**supershifty** · 26-01-2014, 12:25 PM

From what I've heard on a talkback radio interview with a govco rep (sorry, can't quote who he was) that the aged pensioners are being left alone. They are looking at Newstart and disability pensioners. He didn't state any plans as yet for Newstart (current or new applicants) apart from upping the travel time for available jobs from home to work to 1.5hrs. However as poppa said, they're looking at upping the points criteria to make it harder to get on the disability pension.

As for people currently on disability the interviewee said they were looking at trying to get the younger ones with very mild disabilities back into the workforce - ie: put them back on Newstart.

It was all a very ambiguous and non committal interview. We all know the dance!

There's bugger all meat left on the bone. Newstart pays $510 fortnightly with no concessions apart from a health care card, I think disability is $200 more with some concessions and a health care card. Bastards.

Cheers!

car10002 · 26-01-2014, 09:13 PM

what disabilities are classed as being left on dsp

how much of a disability low mild or high is autisimn classed as

what is classed as very mild disabilities

Outbackjack · 26-01-2014, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poppa smurf

I'm a full-time carer (disabled, cerebral palsy son).......I also advocate for other carers who can't do it themselves, I work closely with disadvantaged children and I'm also a member of the SA carers association amongst other thing's.

The details are sketchy but There are many cutbacks in the pipeline that are being "revisited" but as usual they affect mainly the poorer or more "disadvantaged" in society.

One cutback looks to be the end of year bonus, many others include the POSSIBLE reduction of respite services, in home and external.

But according to some moronic folks and some halfwit backbenchers we only use the payment for new plasma TV's so that's okay.......Trouble is most that I know are using the payments to buy frivolous things like new wheelchairs and mobility aids that can't be afforded normally.

The best way to find out and possibly minimise the inevitable cutbacks is to email your local member and also the minister for disabilities.

if we all sit silent then we deserve to lose the little benefits we have, far better to take up the drum and bang it loudly and early.

I know of quite a few carers who are saying they have had enough and want their life back, I have no idea what is to become of their charges, institutions have shut down, hospitals can't take them, old folks homes don't want them.

Geez PS , I really hope that you are wrong.... If that is all going to come true then I am truly ashamed of our government...

poppa smurf · 26-01-2014, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Outbackjack

Geez PS , I really hope that you are wrong.... If that is all going to come true then I am truly ashamed of our government...

already happening.......I had a big answer written out but to be honest unless you walk a mile in our shoes you could not comprehend what consequences a small cut to any services has.

car10002.......a point system is in play, every ability that you have will take away from this target, if you are left with less than 20 then no DSP.

car10002 · 26-01-2014, 10:58 PM

is autisim and arthritis classed ad mild and will those types of disabilities be ok

BHDOGS · 26-01-2014, 11:44 PM

To get 100 percent accurate information your better off ringing center link on Tuesday and asking them direct.

Sam Beckett · 27-01-2014, 10:25 AM

Its hard to speculate this early on, as said most new policy applies for new applicants, but it just depends on what is attempting to be achieved.

Like when the Howard govt introduced in 1996 new applicant single mothers got parenting payment single until youngest turned 8 then onto Newstart, the people currently on the payment before the change introduction were grandfathered. As we know Gillard govt changed that to include all grandfathered at the start of 2013 to save xxx amount per year on the budget.

I am not intending to start a political discussion but without any details, anything is possible when they are trying to tighten the purse strings.

Iggle Piggle · 27-01-2014, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BHDOGS

To get 100 percent accurate information your better off ringing center link on Tuesday and asking them direct on Friday when you finally get through.

Fixed that for you.

poppa smurf · 27-01-2014, 11:25 AM

Centrelink will not know what is to happen, the information has been "leaked" to gauge public reaction then "adjustments" will be made.

no-one will know what was originally in the pipeline, we will have to wait and see what cuts actually hit the ground.

we have already seen many cutbacks to our services and I have some information as to future cuts that are to come.

This "rubbery" info has been provided to me by my govco D.S.A. manager, she does not know the full extent of cuts until after the end of year funds come through at the end of June.

if the cuts are deep enough it will mean the closure of some facilities around here.

car10002 autism and arthritis can be mild, severe or anywhere in between........the same as any other disability and will be gauged accordingly.

**GasoLane** · 29-01-2014, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by car10002

is autisim and arthritis classed ad mild and will those types of disabilities be ok

Now this is just an idea, but these people might even be able to tell you more than a Car forum.
http://www.humanservices.gov.au/

**hawkgirl** · 30-01-2014, 07:00 PM

i'm all for weeding out the cheats but the system doesnt work now anyway.

I was on DSP for many years - i have chronic pain (20yrs +), managed only with Oxycodone, morphine patches and nerve blocks every 2-3 months. Occasionally i spasm so badly i am literally unable to walk as my back is completely rigid. I work full time these days as i got tired of proving i wasnt going to magically get better - its difficult and yes you could say i suffer from "absenteeism" a lot but i'm trying. I have a "friend" who has a comfy life on the DSP - he has a fused knee. Thats it. Spends his time playing golf & fishing but could easily work at least part time. He will never be subject to a review.
Now, my brother is suffering a severe anxiety issue, with agrophobia and other irrational fears (crowds, new places, unfamiliar people etc) - he wants to work but cant for now - he meets the DSP points but has been already rejected for spurious reasons and is expected to attend job training from March - a man who cant walk to his own letterbox!!??!

perhaps welfare to mining companies in the form of diesel rebates should be cut instead.