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Post by Banjo on Jun 5, 2012 10:30:29 GMT 7
Ray, the new law seems to give them some leeway, the key points seem to be about future employability. Hopefully they will decide we're all too hard and be glad to see the back of us.
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Post by theman on Jun 5, 2012 11:50:54 GMT 7
Is there anything official about this? There is nothing on Centrelink web page and I would like to check "small print"!
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Post by Banjo on Jun 5, 2012 14:49:35 GMT 7
Welcome to the board. The amendment to the Act has been posted several times now but I'll do it again. Schedule 3—Portability of disability support pension 1218AAA Unlimited portability period for disability support pension—severely impaired disability support pensioner (1) The Secretary may make a written determination that a particular person’s maximum portability period for disability support pension is an unlimited period, if all of the following circumstances (the qualifying circumstances) exist: (a) the person is receiving disability support pension; (b) the Secretary is satisfied that the person’s impairment is a severe impairment (within the meaning of subsection 94(3B)); (c) the Secretary is satisfied that the person will have that severe impairment for at least the next 5 years; (d) the Secretary is satisfied that, if the person were in Australia, the severe impairment would prevent the person from performing any work independently of a program of support (within the meaning of subsection 94(4)) within the next 5 years. www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r4752The Centrelink website probably won't have it until it becomes law at the end of this month. Remember, ring Centrelink International on or after 18th June to let them know you are applying.
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Post by lynnebali on Jun 5, 2012 17:56:46 GMT 7
May 26th the law came into effect .......... hmm hmm............. slap me in the face with a dead fish if I have not shimmied under the fence under that new ruling before my deadline to apply for SSAT... Or am I clutching at straws.
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Post by Banjo on Jun 5, 2012 18:05:41 GMT 7
No, no Lynne, it comes into effect on the 30th June. It passed parliament on the 26th May.
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Post by theman on Jun 6, 2012 9:16:16 GMT 7
Thanks Banjo, I just have so many questions so I was looking for something with more details about this law. I have my parents overseas so I don't intend to leave the country indefinitely, but just want to visit them for 2-3 months(as I was able to do so far). 6 weeks is not nearly enough and with the payment for that period I can't even manage to pay for an air fare. So what exactly this law means to me? Second thing that confuse me is the criteria for Unlimited portability. They are exactly the same for new Disability pension applicants! Does that means that every new DSP recipient automatically qualifies for Unlimited portability?! ps. And by the way this website is great. Finally a place where you can communicate with people without being considered a cheat, dole bludger etc...
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Post by Banjo on Jun 6, 2012 9:47:42 GMT 7
I haven't look at the new criteria but it sounds interesting. We're all a bit unsure of how it will go but this change to the legislation was lobbied for by us and people like ourselves so after going to all that trouble I can't see them messing us around in the end.
Thanks for the compliment, this message board was specifically started to get away from Forums like ThaiVisa.com where the type of abuse you mention was commonplace. Amazing how outspoken some people are from behind the safety of their keyboard.
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Post by StringsAttached on Jun 6, 2012 11:03:18 GMT 7
As Centrelink doesn't yet know what they are doing, I suggest anyone with online services state their intention to apply for section 1218AAA Unlimited portability via the secure message service and keep the receipt number of the communication.
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Post by anx1973 on Jun 6, 2012 11:37:11 GMT 7
Thanks Banjo, I just have so many questions so I was looking for something with more details about this law. I have my parents overseas so I don't intend to leave the country indefinitely, but just want to visit them for 2-3 months(as I was able to do so far). 6 weeks is not nearly enough and with the payment for that period I can't even manage to pay for an air fare. So what exactly this law means to me? Second thing that confuse me is the criteria for Unlimited portability. They are exactly the same for new Disability pension applicants! Does that means that every new DSP recipient automatically qualifies for Unlimited portability?! ps. And by the way this website is great. Finally a place where you can communicate with people without being considered a cheat, dole bludger etc... Yes , I feel the same way , very nice to have a site like this . Very informative , especially for people who keep to themselves and would never find any of this information elsewhere . Thank You for providing this place . I also can relate ti having a place where you don't feel you will be judged
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Post by roxane on Jun 12, 2012 16:35:38 GMT 7
Hello, I am new to this forum, have just registered. I am a carer, hubby is on DSP. I've called C/L today regarding overseas trips. There is indeed a possibility to apply for unlimited portability, which is assessed based on that disgraceful table and point system. Be very careful guys, if you apply and don't pass the test, you can even loose your current pension!!!!. After 01/01/2013 you can stay up to 6 weeks, which means you will get your full pension. If you decide to stay longer, you can up to 13 weeks, but after 6 weeks you get nothing. Or you fly back before the 6 weeks expire and you fly out again the next day. This stupid legislation basically forcing you to come back & buy an other airfare. If you just going to Asia it might be worth. I'm wondering if you travelled at the end of the year, could you stay DEC & Jan without loosing the payment?
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Post by anotherdsp on Jun 12, 2012 16:49:16 GMT 7
to roxane good question,maybe try asking them??
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Post by Banjo on Jun 12, 2012 16:58:25 GMT 7
Hello, I am new to this forum, have just registered. I am a carer, hubby is on DSP. I've called C/L today regarding overseas trips. There is indeed a possibility to apply for unlimited portability, which is assessed based on that disgraceful table and point system. Be very careful guys, if you apply and don't pass the test, you can even loose your current pension!!!!. After 01/01/2013 you can stay up to 6 weeks, which means you will get your full pension. If you decide to stay longer, you can up to 13 weeks, but after 6 weeks you get nothing. Or you fly back before the 6 weeks expire and you fly out again the next day. This stupid legislation basically forcing you to come back & buy an other airfare. If you just going to Asia it might be worth. I'm wondering if you travelled at the end of the year, could you stay DEC & Jan without loosing the payment? Welcome to the board roxane. Yes, they will pay you the 13 weeks if you leave any time before the 1st Jan, 2013. What makes you say that people applying for the new portability will lose the DSP if they don't qualify? I'd be curious as to your source for this information.
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Post by rowdy on Jun 12, 2012 18:30:25 GMT 7
Hello, I am new to this forum, have just registered. I am a carer, hubby is on DSP. I've called C/L today regarding overseas trips. There is indeed a possibility to apply for unlimited portability, which is assessed based on that disgraceful table and point system. Be very careful guys, if you apply and don't pass the test, you can even loose your current pension!!!!. After 01/01/2013 you can stay up to 6 weeks, which means you will get your full pension. If you decide to stay longer, you can up to 13 weeks, but after 6 weeks you get nothing. Or you fly back before the 6 weeks expire and you fly out again the next day. This stupid legislation basically forcing you to come back & buy an other airfare. If you just going to Asia it might be worth. I'm wondering if you travelled at the end of the year, could you stay DEC & Jan without loosing the payment? If after the 1st of January next year you are overseas under current portability (13 weeks) then the 6 weeks wont affect you. It is only when you leave after the 1st of January. Therefore if you depart Australia on the 31st of December 2012 you will still come under the 13 week portability. HOWEVER depart one day later from the 1st of January 2013 then it is 6 weeks portability.
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Post by roxane on Jun 12, 2012 18:58:43 GMT 7
[/quote] What makes you say that people applying for the new portability will lose the DSP if they don't qualify? I'd be curious as to your source for this information. [/quote] a C/L customer service person said that. When you apply, you have to go through a special assessment. There is the chance that in that point system you won't even qualify for the normal DPS, so you can lose your pension. It's a big risk to take unless you know for 100% that you do qualify. That was my understanding of that phone conversation. It worth to double check it anyway
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Post by Banjo on Jun 12, 2012 19:05:05 GMT 7
I never take much notice of what the officers say, when I see it in black and white I start to worry. The criteria for the DSP is very much disability based but I read the portability legislation as to be about employability so other factors like age and time out of the work force should be considered along with disability.
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