Disability Support Pension
Changes to DSP
Hidden deeply within the budget is the government’s proposed changes to how those on the Disability Support Pension (DSP) are assessed for work capacity.
A new test for those on the DSP will be conducted by an allied health professional. Coming into effect from 1 July 2011, this is the lead-up to a bigger change which will take place in mid-2012 and aims to get more people into the workforce or off DSP and onto an alternative (cheaper) income support payment.
Those able to provide a medical certificate which substantiates their inability to work will not need to undergo an assessment from 1 July 2010.
For more information on the changes to Job Capacity Assessment and how it may affect your DSP payment, click YOURLifeChoices simple short cut.
Claiming DSP overseas
YOURLifeChoices subscriber, Deb, is keen to head to Samoa to help those affected by last year’s earthquake but is concerned about how this will affect her Disability Support Pension.
Q. Deb
As of April 2010 I will be living in Samoa as a Temporary Resident for up to seven months. At present, my DSP only covers me for 16 weeks. I will not be working whilst here but will be helping in the rebuilding process as a result of the earthquake and tsunami which devastated parts of the country on 29 September.
Am I entitled to an extension of my pension whilst I’m there? I plan to live in Samoa for six months plus each year, as it is much better for my health.
A. Provided by Centrelink
Generally, the Disability Support Pension can be paid up to 13 weeks whilst you are outside Australia. In most cases, payments will cease after the normal 13-week period.
An exception to this rule may apply if you are terminally ill and are leaving Australia permanently. In these cases, Disability Support Pension may be paid for the total period of absence however, your rate may change.
More information about receiving a Centrelink payment overseas is available on the Centrelink website.
If you have not had a Job Capacity Assessment recently you should contact Centrelink. A Job Capacity Assessment is a way of finding out if you can work, how much work you can do and how much help you need to find and keep a job.
It might be a good idea to chat to a Customer Service Adviser to discuss your individual circumstances. You can do this by visiting your local Centrelink Customer Service Centre or you can phone Centrelink International Services on 13 16 73.
Disability Support Pension increases
YOURLifeChoices subscriber, Denise, is keen to know if, as a recipient of DSP, she will be eligible for the raise in weekly pension rates.
Q. Denise
The $32.49 per week increase, will that apply to me? I receive the Disability Support Pension. Centrelink could not tell me!
Centrelink DID TELL ME however, that when the new changes to pensions take place, the GST Supplement, Pharmacy, Phone and Utilities Allowances will all be combined into the fortnightly Pension. Do you know anything about this?
A.
Good news, Denise, yes the $32.49 per week pension increase will be applied to those receiving DSP. For more information, please click on the link below.
www.budget.gov.au
There will be a new Pension Supplement that will be paid fortnightly and will include Goods and Services Tax Supplement, Pharmaceutical Allowance, Utilities Allowance, Telephone Allowance (at the higher internet rate)and increased assistance of $2.49 per week for singles and $10.14 per week for couples combined will be included in the new fortnightly Pension Supplement.
From 1 July 2010, you can opt to receive around half of this supplement quarterly as a lump sum payment, to assist with larger expenses. For more information on the new supplement, click the link below.
www.budget.gov.au
Disability support pensioners
Q. Joan
Hi at AboutSeniors,
My husband and I both on Disability Support Pensions are a bit confused at to which pensioner’s are receiving the bonus payments, does it apply to us?
My husband is also my Carer is he eligible for the extra $1,000 do hope you can explain how or if we are entitled to anything. The way I read it there is nothing for Disability Pensioners.
A.Joan, from the information we have on the Pension Bonus Scheme, some 715,000 people on Disability Support Pensions will receive the lump sum payment, as will 470,000 Carer Allowance recipients. As individual circumstances differ, we cannot advise what payments you and your husband will recieve however, if you contact your local Centrelink office on 13 27 17 with your reference numbers at hand, they will be able to advise you.
Disability support pension
Q.Tony
I am receiving a part DSP, my wife works full time, I would like to know that if my wife refuses to give me the info that is required by Centrelink (her wage details) in order for me to get my support pension, Is my wife legally obliged to supply that information?. Although married and have joint bank accounts and live in the family home, we do live seperate lives, and enjoy our own seperate closed off space within the family house.
A.Answer provided by Centrelink General Manager, Hank Jongen.
You’re right that Centrelink needs to know about your wife’s income in order to assess your eligibility for Disability Support Pension. The income and assets you and your partner have can impact on your rate of payment. Although your wife isn’t legally obliged to supply information to you to pass on to Centrelink, failure to do so will mean Centrelink cannot pay you because we can’t calculate your correct rate. If you are already being paid and your wife’s income changes, you must let Centrelink know to avoid an overpayment that you would have to repay. Contact Centrelink as soon as possible on 13 2717 to discuss your situation further.
