DSP and Indefinite Portability

[cristian]

Hi All,

I'm new here and I was hoping you guys might be able to guide me in the right direction.

My mother (aged 57) has been on DSP for over 15 years - suffering from severe depression. Her other medical conditions include: severe migraines, dizziness, blackouts, anxiety, epilepsy and imbalance (has trouble keeping her balance for extended periods of time).

Mother has no family (besides me) in Australia and no social interactions.

She wants to go back home (Europe) to visit and spend some time with her ageing parents (77 & &78), however we discovered that she can only travel overseas for 28 days before her DSP is cut off.

After a little research into this, I came across Indefinite Portability. I suggested this to option to my mother, but of course she is extremely hesitant - she is scared that CL will somehow find a reason to cancel her DSP altogether if she applies to get reassessed for IP.

Does anyone have any informed suggestions / recommendations or personal experiences with IP that they could share !?

Any assistance or push in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you so much.

[murphy]

Welcome, cristian. Thanks for looking into this for your mum.

My knowledge of Indefinite Portability is limited, but there are many members here who I'm sure will be happy to share their experiences.

[Banjo]

Welcome to the forum Cristian.

The very nature of someone's disability often prevents them from applying for a benefit (in this case portability of the DSP) to which they are entitled.

I suggest she talks to a healthcare professional, preferably someone she knows and trusts like her GP or mental health specialist, and talk through the type of assessment she will face.
They should be familiar with the impairment tables.

www.dss.gov.au/our-responsibilities/disability-and-carers/benefits-payments/disability-support-pension-dsp-better-and-fairer-assessments/review-of-the-tables-for-the-assessment-of-work-related-impairment-for-disability-support-pension/social-security-tables-for-the

Finally, while she can stay away for 28 days paid portability, she is also entitled to up to 13 weeks unpaid without having to be reassessed on return.

All the best.

[krystal]

My suggestion to give Welfare Rights a ring. They are known to others on this board to be supportive.

Portability rules are complex.

This table may give you some place to start as it depends on a whole heap of factors including your mums impairments, why she needs to go to see her parents (holiday vs family crisis vs humanitarian purpose) and whether or not the country she is going to is a member of international social security agreement.

guides.dss.gov.au/guide-social-security-law/7/1/2/20

There is two fields here "unlimited portability" and "extended portability" which have different criteria.

Portability is covered in Volume 3 of Social Security Act
www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2016C00696/Html/Volume_3#_Toc455062561

It's a bit hard to read but it gives a table for portability criteria (Subdivision A—Basic portability provisions) and then the next section goes onto exemptions from these rules (Subdivision B—Exceptions to Subdivision A rules).

[Deleted]

Applications for a new assessment for portability are done via Centrelink International Office ( 131 673).

You should call them whilst your mother is present and ask to be able to speak on her behalf. From my experience, a frank discussion with staff in the International Office will help to establish whether an application for a new DSP assessment and UP will be successful. Whilst they will not tell you such, they will offer some advice when they review your mothers case.

The local Cenrelink offices do not have staff trained in UP so its best to only speak directly with International regarding these issues.

I base this on my own experience with my own UP application and new DSP assessment in 2014 under the new tables. Very early in my inquiry process I was pointed towards Centrelink International Office by those good staff on the general Disability inquiry phone number.

[cristian]

Thank you guys all so much. I really appreciate the candid and quick replys.

I think I will start by asking her doctors whether they believe she has a strong case for IP - I'm a bit skeptical of the CL Job Assesment officers because u feel as though they would prefer to find any excuse to decline her DSP IP.

I'm also really glad that you all were able to clarify the 13 week unpaid option - it was a route I was also considering but just needed it clarified that it was indeed possible.

I will consult with her doctors within the next few days and try and gather as much medical evidence from as far back as I can - and I will keep everyone updated of the situation and how it all progresses.

Thank you all once again.