Are widows badly treated?
[b]About Seniors[/b] often receives emails from widows who feel they are unfairly treated under Centrelink rules. [b]About Seniors[/b] subscriber, Pam, thinks that it’s about time something is done to rectify the situation. Do you agree?
Hello,
I am almost 62-years old and in receipt of the widow allowance, or should I say, pittance. I own my home and car and have some savings, which I have been drawing on since I lost my husband 17 months ago. He was not only my husband, but soul mate, fixer of everything, gardener, repairman, car servicer and detailer.
I now have to pay to have most jobs done to my home and vehicle on approximately $200.00 less than the single age pension.
I have been attempting to find employment for 12 months with no success, I feel this is because of my age.
I have several health issues, recently being diagnosed with stenosis of my aorta heart valve. prior to this my g.p. recommended I apply for a disability pension - I was told by Centrelink that I should be able to work. I am prepared to work despite my health problems and currently am working as an onion grader, which entails long hours. I am happy to do this work, but as it is seasonal, I am not getting regular hours and the job will be finished in approximately seven weeks.
I am registered with disabilty employment and they hold little hope of finding me a position. I have a wide range of work and life experience skills, i.e. medical receptionist, office manager, credit control manager, carer to my late husband and general clerical and office skills.
I feel the widows of this country are treated poorly, especially those aged 50 -64.
My personal view, is that there are 2 distinct problems for widows.
In Pam's case, she has had to take very menial work that is most
likely pushing her medical/physical ability. She should be able to
go on the disability pension, but some self opiniated, unqualified
clerk at Centerlink knows better about her heart condition, than her
MD. I do believe that this decision is very appealable.
However, this is not the real problem. Pam is virtually unemployable.
This comes to the 2nd problem, which is the stay at home wife who
has reared her children & looked after the home then nursed a dying
husband. These unemployable people cannot exist on the widows
allowance. I have taken this matter up with the Minister, through
National Seniors & have been told that Canberra is not even
prepared to enter the discussion. The GENUINE widows allowance
should be increased to the single aged pension allowance, but it
will never happen whilst the Australian voter only cares about their
own pocket.