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Post by Banker on May 28, 2011 16:36:50 GMT 7
Congratulations Banjo! I am so happy for you, and glad I was able to be of assistance. This forum made the difference, so it is great that you made it for us, to be able to help each other through their games of deceipt and denial. Yes, now you are facing another one of their tricks. I had read that Centrelink can drag things out when reinstating payments after a SSAT decision, just for the heck of it. Apparently, we are supposed to know that in advance, and request that the SSAT orders them to do it promptly, during the hearing. I have been busy working on my reply to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner, who has been pretending to me that my disability employment provider is innocent of my complaints, unless I go through brochures of laws and nominate exactly which ones they did break. It seems that breaking social security laws is not a punishable offence for them. Maybe because breeches of some of those laws can incur jail time or criminal charges. So he wants me to go through information laws, health laws and privacy laws, and pick out some lesser charges for them. He indicated a long time ago, that even if I do keep insisting on him investigating, he has no power to act or punish anyway. I have written him a nice long email informing him that I no longer care what his investigation finds. That I have all the proof I needed now, of their guilt and corruption, and that it is time for me to take it before a court to let a magistrate or judge decide. I think I might apply for compensation for the hardship I suffered for the 8 months that DEEWR refused to simply go through the On-Q HR file with me, and let me point out the errors, at the outset of my complaints. Especially when the real crime had been recorded and was plain to see. A few weeks ago, someone claiming to be from the Ombudsman's department phoned me and said that Job Services Australia will investigate the charges of forgery. I yelled at her that she should not phone me and tell me bullshit, because we both knew hat DEEWR have refused for 8 months to address any of this. She assured me that they would this time. I argued and she disagreed, stating it was really going to happen this time. I have left feedback at the job services webpage, giving them my email address and phone number and inviting them to call. They still have not. So, I emailed the Ombudsman's Department yesterday and asked who I complain to about their officers acting corruptly to protect Centrelink employees, and refusing to investigate complaints for which I have all of the supporting evidence and proof. Will let you know how it all goes, as usual. Keep up the good work fellow members. We made a difference, and soon we might teach Centrelink that you cannot deceive people, and get away with it, all the time. Stick it to them spacey... its time to stop these bastards from screwing up our lives
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Post by spaceyone on May 29, 2011 7:46:21 GMT 7
Keep on asking for the name of anyone you speak to at Centrelink, even if they just tell you that the person you called for is not there, and a receipt number for the call. Then you can demonstrate how long they stuffed you around for, if you have to lodge a complaint. I think they can take up to 2 months to pay you if they want, but even they could not be that heartless(?!?).
I have had letters asking me to call them reverse charge, when the appropriate person is interstate, only to have the call not accepted.
However, if you just keep calling, they eventually accept it, and viola, the appropriate person is even on the other end.
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Post by zorro1 on May 29, 2011 16:06:15 GMT 7
I though the new rules would not be in effect until the 1st of July 2011 so they should not have cut it off at this stage but I am concerned that once the new law takes effect that people will start to be cut off. What are the new rules?
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Post by Banjo on May 29, 2011 16:35:55 GMT 7
We were expecting tightening of residency requirements, but after minister Macklin's press release this month announcing
New rules for overseas travel for people with severe disability
The Government also recognises that the DSP is an essential safety net for those who cannot work.
New, more generous rules from 1 July 2012, will allow people receiving DSP who have a permanent disability and no future work capacity, to travel overseas for more than 13 weeks while retaining access to their pension.
In addition, DSP recipients who are severely disabled and are required to accompany a family member who has been posted overseas by their Australian employer will be entitled to continue to receive their pension for the period of the family member’s posting. These pensioners will not be eligible for add-on payments such as the Pension Supplement or Rent Assistance while they are overseas. These changes deliver a net saving of $19.0 million over four years.
Existing portability rules will continue to apply to DSP recipients who may have some ability to work. Other working age payments will not be affected by these changes to portability arrangements.
....I honestly can't say I know what is going to happen. Write and ask your Federal MP, it may not enlighten you much but it makes them realise that people are concerned about their right to travel overseas.
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Post by Banjo on May 30, 2011 18:15:29 GMT 7
Well I hit the wall today, got told that pension would not be reinstated until Centrelink had decided whether or not to appeal the SSAT decision to the AAT which they were allowed 28 days to do. I was asked if I was experiencing financial hardship and when I said I was, out came the old "well you can apply for NewStart while you are waiting" line. If they weren't so desperate to get me on it I may even think about it.
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Post by rowdy on May 30, 2011 19:10:47 GMT 7
Well I hit the wall today, got told that pension would not be reinstated until Centrelink had decided whether or not to appeal the SSAT decision to the AAT which they were allowed 28 days to do. I was asked if I was experiencing financial hardship and when I said I was, out came the old "well you can apply for NewStart while you are waiting" line. If they weren't so desperate to get me on it I may even think about it. WTF ... I am thinking of a four letter word that starts with C to describe these A-Holes. Banjo you went to the SSAT where you beat them. Dont be bullied by these thugs. Same goes for you too RTD.
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Post by lostbaggage on May 30, 2011 20:46:17 GMT 7
Well I hit the wall today, got told that pension would not be reinstated until Centrelink had decided whether or not to appeal the SSAT decision to the AAT which they were allowed 28 days to do. I was asked if I was experiencing financial hardship and when I said I was, out came the old "well you can apply for NewStart while you are waiting" line. If they weren't so desperate to get me on it I may even think about it. Sorry to hear about this. Surely they will not waste more money on another appeal when clearly, resident or not, you are entitled to be paid until July 1st anyway.
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Post by Banjo on May 31, 2011 5:29:16 GMT 7
And hopefully after that. I suspect that most of the changes they will try to implement after July 1st will just be more "rules" that won't stand up in the appeals system.
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Post by howdo on May 31, 2011 9:03:38 GMT 7
I was asked if I was experiencing financial hardship and when I said I was, out came the old "well you can apply for NewStart while you are waiting" line. If they weren't so desperate to get me on it I may even think about it. Banjo what is the problem with going on Newstart till you get DSP reinstated? Is there some catch involved.
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Post by spaceyone on May 31, 2011 9:36:01 GMT 7
Well I hit the wall today, got told that pension would not be reinstated until Centrelink had decided whether or not to appeal the SSAT decision to the AAT which they were allowed 28 days to do. I was asked if I was experiencing financial hardship and when I said I was, out came the old "well you can apply for NewStart while you are waiting" line. If they weren't so desperate to get me on it I may even think about it. Wow, they even surprised me with that move! Either they are thoroughly testing their own laws through the appeals process, dragging you out until after 1 July for a reason or for spite and fun, or resorting to the old 'let's starve the enemy to death' ploy. Time for a crisis payment Banjo. A one off payment of whatever your payment should be. I think they can just give you a 'Newstart' amount, to just to cover themselves in case you were not eligible for a DSP payment. (They find these DSP qualification issues quiet confusing, it seems.) Claim for Crisis Payment Who should use this form New and existing Centrelink customers who have claimed and are eligible for payment of a social security pension or benefit, or ABSTUDY Living Allowance and who: • are in severe financial hardship and • are forced to leave their home and establish a new one because of an extreme circumstance, such as domestic violence or an event such as house fire www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/filestores/su510_1005/$file/su510_1005en_p.pdfThey seem to have three crisis payment forms now; this one mainly for someone leaving home due to domestic violence, one for being released from jail, and it seems you have to have a humanitarian visa to be able to use the one for people having just returned from overseas. They still could turn you down for this, and seeing them to lodge another form is probably the last thing you want to do at the moment. I cannot imagine what trap they are trying to set, in relation to Newstart, at this late stage in the game. However, if they are pushing it, it is reasonable to assume that there is one.
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Post by spaceyone on May 31, 2011 9:56:48 GMT 7
Banjo what is the problem with going on Newstart till you get DSP reinstated? Is there some catch involved. If you let a payment or application expire, you are not entitled to back pay later on, for the period that you were without it. In each part of the appeal process, you have a limited period in which to lodge an appeal, to keep it alive. If you miss that opportunity, and payments are later reinstated, it will only be from the date of that decision onwards. The danger in Newstart for anyone having to be reassessed is their new 'rules' regarding qualifying. If you can get to their office twice in a row, then you are able to work two days a week, seems to be their best way of assessment. They do not take into consideration how much pain and suffering those two trips caused to you. They also have lots of exemptions now. They can put you on Newstart, paying you a lesser amount than DSP, but graciously give you an exemption from having to work, or even look for work. You won't have time anyway, living in the streets scrounging for food. This exemption is for the people who still argued, and/or were able to prove, that they were too sick to hold down a job. Once on N/S, you will be monitored by big brother, in the form of a 'job provider'. These are staffed by people who used to be happily on the dole permanently, but were retrained to use a computer and spy on others, or loose their payments. They resent you being there wasting their time, as much as you do. C/L claim that many on DSP jump up to it from other payments. Once you are on Newstart, they will try to portray you as welfare dependent and trying to get onto the highest amount possible, without really qualifying.
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Post by spaceyone on May 31, 2011 9:57:55 GMT 7
Well I hit the wall today, got told that pension would not be reinstated until Centrelink had decided whether or not to appeal the SSAT decision to the AAT which they were allowed 28 days to do. I was asked if I was experiencing financial hardship and when I said I was, out came the old "well you can apply for NewStart while you are waiting" line. If they weren't so desperate to get me on it I may even think about it. Sorry to hear about this. Surely they will not waste more money on another appeal when clearly, resident or not, you are entitled to be paid until July 1st anyway. Of the $22 million it costs the taxpayer each year to fund the appeals tribunals, $19m of that goes to salaries.
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Post by howdo on May 31, 2011 12:53:43 GMT 7
Thanks spacey, crafty bastards.
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Post by Banjo on Jun 1, 2011 3:43:57 GMT 7
Well I hit the wall today, got told that pension would not be reinstated until Centrelink had decided whether or not to appeal the SSAT decision to the AAT which they were allowed 28 days to do. I was asked if I was experiencing financial hardship and when I said I was, out came the old "well you can apply for NewStart while you are waiting" line. If they weren't so desperate to get me on it I may even think about it. Wow, they even surprised me with that move! Either they are thoroughly testing their own laws through the appeals process, dragging you out until after 1 July for a reason or for spite and fun, or resorting to the old 'let's starve the enemy to death' ploy. Time for a crisis payment Banjo. A one off payment of whatever your payment should be. I think they can just give you a 'Newstart' amount, to just to cover themselves in case you were not eligible for a DSP payment. (They find these DSP qualification issues quiet confusing, it seems.) Claim for Crisis Payment Who should use this form New and existing Centrelink customers who have claimed and are eligible for payment of a social security pension or benefit, or ABSTUDY Living Allowance and who: • are in severe financial hardship and • are forced to leave their home and establish a new one because of an extreme circumstance, such as domestic violence or an event such as house fire www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/filestores/su510_1005/$file/su510_1005en_p.pdfThey seem to have three crisis payment forms now; this one mainly for someone leaving home due to domestic violence, one for being released from jail, and it seems you have to have a humanitarian visa to be able to use the one for people having just returned from overseas. They still could turn you down for this, and seeing them to lodge another form is probably the last thing you want to do at the moment. I cannot imagine what trap they are trying to set, in relation to Newstart, at this late stage in the game. However, if they are pushing it, it is reasonable to assume that there is one. I've tried this one Spacey, they said I don't qualify, backed up by a senior officer. To be honest I don't feel like taking it to the ARO, I have too much to do now and they are better equipped to handle multiple issues than I am. I refuse to allow this to dominate my life, I have other things to do and use them to cleanse my mind between battles. I can see why people who can't use this mental exercise go mad and lose control, I've had a couple of glimpses into that void and don't want to go there.
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Post by spaceyone on Jun 1, 2011 11:17:51 GMT 7
"I refuse to allow this to dominate my life, I have other things to do and use them to cleanse my mind between battles. I can see why people who can't use this mental exercise go mad and lose control, I've had a couple of glimpses into that void and don't want to go there." Banjo
Yes, been there too. I have wanted to take a tin of petrol to the office of my corrupt disability employment provider and set it on fire. End matters between us once and for all. The look of fear on the faces of their staff, would have been a quicker and better satisfaction than 8 months of writing letters of complaints, especially when all of those have been ignored.
I used to feel sorry for Centrelink staff when people arched up at them. These days I laugh and cheer when I read that one of them has been assaulted by a 'client'.
Thanks for the cheque! Living on DSP, I need all the extra funds I can get.
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