Post by Banjo on Apr 20, 2016 7:02:31 GMT 7
Centrelink tells Logan woman she cannot move to the USA if she wants to retain disability payments
A BROWNS Plains woman planning to move to the United States has been told she will have her Disability Support Pension frozen despite suffering from 16 disabilities and illnesses.
Lisa Okungbowa, 49, has been receiving a disability pension since 1986 but she said a recent Centrelink hearing ruled her condition was deemed “not severe enough” for unlimited portability of a Disability Support Pension required for her to receive payment overseas for more than four weeks.
Last Friday she presented a second hearing with a medical report showing she had diseases and injuries to her legs, feet, lungs, pancreas, eyes, digestive system, back, neck and mental health illnesses.
Ms Okungbowa said her cost of living was cheaper in the United States and the decision was “ridiculous”.
“I can’t even walk to my letterbox half the time without falling over.”
“What do I have to be, dead?”
“I’m really hoping that they will continue to pay my disability pension,” she said.
“I want to see some sort of light at the end of the tunnel, all I see at the moment is darkness.”
“I think it’s morally wrong, I have done everything in my power and have paid out of pocket for these medical reports and its caused me serious financial hardship,” she said.
Ms Okungbowa said she was unable to walk without a walking stick or wear shoes and claims Centrelink said her condition was “not severe enough” to continue to receive the disability pension if abroad.
Ms Okungbowa has appealed Centrelink’s decision and will attend a hearing with the Administrative Appeals Tribunal on June 3.
Centrelink Department of Human Services General Manager Hank Jongen said the matter was before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
“As such, it is not appropriate for the Department to provide comment on the specifics of the case,’’ Mr Jongen said.
“The department assesses Disability Support Pension (DSP) claims in accordance with the clear criteria set down in legislation and does not have discretion to grant DSP claims outside the criteria.’’
To be eligible for DSP, a person needs a collective impairment rating of 20 points across one or more impairment tables, with an assessment conducted by a qualified health professional.
However to receive DSP payment whilst overseas for more than four weeks a person must have a “severe impairment”, meaning a rating of 20 points in a single impairment table category and no future capacity to work within the next five years.
www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/logan/centrelink-has-told-a-logan-woman-claiming-numerous-disabilities-she-must-work-30-minutes-a-week-or-have-her-payments-suspended/news-story/1ae4d6a56b308028194f4abcee12e833
A BROWNS Plains woman planning to move to the United States has been told she will have her Disability Support Pension frozen despite suffering from 16 disabilities and illnesses.
Lisa Okungbowa, 49, has been receiving a disability pension since 1986 but she said a recent Centrelink hearing ruled her condition was deemed “not severe enough” for unlimited portability of a Disability Support Pension required for her to receive payment overseas for more than four weeks.
Last Friday she presented a second hearing with a medical report showing she had diseases and injuries to her legs, feet, lungs, pancreas, eyes, digestive system, back, neck and mental health illnesses.
Ms Okungbowa said her cost of living was cheaper in the United States and the decision was “ridiculous”.
“I can’t even walk to my letterbox half the time without falling over.”
“What do I have to be, dead?”
“I’m really hoping that they will continue to pay my disability pension,” she said.
“I want to see some sort of light at the end of the tunnel, all I see at the moment is darkness.”
“I think it’s morally wrong, I have done everything in my power and have paid out of pocket for these medical reports and its caused me serious financial hardship,” she said.
Ms Okungbowa said she was unable to walk without a walking stick or wear shoes and claims Centrelink said her condition was “not severe enough” to continue to receive the disability pension if abroad.
Ms Okungbowa has appealed Centrelink’s decision and will attend a hearing with the Administrative Appeals Tribunal on June 3.
Centrelink Department of Human Services General Manager Hank Jongen said the matter was before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
“As such, it is not appropriate for the Department to provide comment on the specifics of the case,’’ Mr Jongen said.
“The department assesses Disability Support Pension (DSP) claims in accordance with the clear criteria set down in legislation and does not have discretion to grant DSP claims outside the criteria.’’
To be eligible for DSP, a person needs a collective impairment rating of 20 points across one or more impairment tables, with an assessment conducted by a qualified health professional.
However to receive DSP payment whilst overseas for more than four weeks a person must have a “severe impairment”, meaning a rating of 20 points in a single impairment table category and no future capacity to work within the next five years.
www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/logan/centrelink-has-told-a-logan-woman-claiming-numerous-disabilities-she-must-work-30-minutes-a-week-or-have-her-payments-suspended/news-story/1ae4d6a56b308028194f4abcee12e833
