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Post by azeef on Oct 20, 2016 6:19:45 GMT 7
Hi All. I am a new member, just signed up last night. I had my DSP reassessed last month and got the answer a few days ago that I 'still' qualify for the DSP... It was a very stressful process. I submitted all the documents, including medical reports, medico-legal expert reports, pages from the transcript - from both sides agreeing that the condition is unlikely to improve, and the finding of the judge in the judgment where he noted re issues of future earning capacity and employment that the impairment is 55% of the most severe case and permanent. At the same time I put in an application to allow DSP portability. I have been of the DSP since 2009... I have no family or social-support network in AU, but have family in EU who are begging me to move back, as they see how difficult my situation is. I am in a situation where I will have to move soon, (waiting period for social housing is about 20 years...) and no funds or prospects to secure a safe property. This is sending me into a spiral of anxiety and despair, I find hard to control, and it affects my condition and health. The thing is, Centerlink did not even respond to my application for DSP portability. They simply ignored it! I am not in a financial situation to lawyer up and fight this, so I thought I will ask you who are familiar with navigating this territory. Any suggestions, ideas how to deal with this situation, where to go if they simply ignore my application when I believe that forcing me to remain in AU is simply pointless and cruel. I would appreciate your suggestions, ideas, advice.
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Post by Banjo on Oct 20, 2016 7:15:21 GMT 7
Welcome to the forum Azeef. You need to ask Centrelink what happened to your portability application, they're not allowed to ignore it. It's possible that it's still in the pipeline, the assessment is different to that for the DSP, it's based on a single impairment rather than multiple. If you feel you need professional legal advice then contact Welfare Rights in your home state. www.welfarerights.org.au/
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Post by azeef on Oct 20, 2016 7:18:38 GMT 7
Thank you for the quick response! I did not consider the possibility that it will be a separate issue/consideration, but you are right, there is still a potential for that, so will wait a week or so and see what happens. Will also look up Welfare Rights. Thanks again.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 20, 2016 7:29:09 GMT 7
G'day Azeef and welcome! When you say you received your answer a few days ago, further on you imply you also put in your Portability application a few days ago as well. i.e. "At the same time" If your application has only been in for a few days I wouldn't think you would hear from Centrelink about it for possibly up to three months. And please be very careful about whether you really want Unlimited Portability because in order to obtain Unlimited Portability you must have at least 20 points on one table with no more than 0-2 hrs per week work capability. If your impairment rating is 55%, that could suggest you have a work capability of 45% and could be able to work more than 2 hrs per week. As I have said, be careful! Cheers bear
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Post by murphy on Oct 20, 2016 7:34:56 GMT 7
Welcome azeef. Banjo and bear have said it all.
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Post by azeef on Oct 20, 2016 8:08:21 GMT 7
Thanks for the responses!!! Just to clarify: I put in the application for portability at the same time when I provided the supporting documents prior to having the interview. It took them 4 weeks from the interview to make the decision (on DSP).
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Post by murphy on Oct 20, 2016 8:56:59 GMT 7
I think it would be helpful to obtain a copy of the JCA report so you have an idea of whether you received 20 points on one table, and what your work capacity was assessed as. There's a thread here entitled "How to get your file off Centrelink"...I would submit your request by email, specifying the JCA report from 2016.
But bear in mind that the UP request and process is separate to the review you've just been through. You will be assessed again and even though you may have 20 points on one table and fall into 0-7hr on the recent JCA, that could change. You're essentially rolling the dice anew.
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Post by azeef on Oct 20, 2016 10:38:49 GMT 7
Great input/advice. Thank you.
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Post by azeef on Nov 18, 2016 12:00:54 GMT 7
I thought I will post an update. As I posted earlier, my DSP review confirmed my eligibility. There was NO word on the UP. When asked about it, was sent to my local Centerlink then to the International Services who sent me back to my local branch saying that they are not involved in the decision-making process...
Asked for my JCA under FOI A on the 20th of October but was not sent it yet. Today I called again regarding decision on my UP application. Again they had no idea where my UP application is at, and put me through to International Services...again.
When I started this process I specifically called Centerlink to ask about the process. They told me that there is no such a thing as an 'application' for UP, I simply need to write down what/why I want in a letter, provide the supporting medical expert reports, and they will decide based on that. It turns out this was complete BS. Since I started this process I made several calls to Centerlink, no-one told me that unless there are specific forms provided, my 'application' is non-existent.
Now I will receive 2 forms, which I will have to take to my GP, who was already very very grumpy when I asked him to provide a supporting letter/summary for the DSP review, saying that he does not have the time to write reports if bulk-billing (which I understand). To ask him to review and incorporate all the medico-legal and all the clinical reports into the forms, would be very very expensive/unafordable as a private patient. Clearly I am a complete amateur, and it does not look good for me from here. On top of it, such set-backs (and BS) sets off my PTSD and panic attacks. Lesson for others: do not trust what you are told by Centerlink. The info they give you is misleading and incompetent.
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Post by Banjo on Nov 18, 2016 13:02:24 GMT 7
Thanks for the heads up azeef.
My doctor would always bulk bill for two visits for reports, he was a very experienced doctor who handled a lot of welfare patients.
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Post by azeef on Nov 18, 2016 18:11:54 GMT 7
I do not think it is something I could suggest to him because I do not think it is...legal. He has been quite decent, until I turned up with the DSP review letter. He appeared annoyed and reluctant, even though it did not involve a long form just a brief letter/summary that he was able to write up in less than 10 minutes... Maybe I should look for a new GP who would be more sympathetic, understanding or accommodating. If you know a decent, knowledgeable GP in Sydney or Gosford area, please let me know.
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Post by Banjo on Nov 19, 2016 7:38:53 GMT 7
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Post by nomadic on Nov 20, 2016 18:57:43 GMT 7
C.L. telling BS? I don't believe it. Good luck azeef
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Post by krystal on Nov 21, 2016 11:15:45 GMT 7
A doctor can bulk bill you for one thing in the appointment and privately charge for another. However, if the appointment is for one thing they can only do one or the other.
A 23 (MBS code for short appointment), a 36 (long appointment lasting at least 20 minutes) or 44 (an appointment that last AT LEAST 40 minutes).
A 36 is worth $71.70 and a 44 is worth $105.55 to the doctor plus his bulk billing fee of $10.85 (Item No 10991).
So your doctor can bulk bill either $82.55 to do the letter in ~25 minutes or $116.40 if it takes 40 minutes.
I think either amount is quite sufficient for a letter. Maybe a less grumpy doctor is the way to go.
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Post by azeef on Nov 21, 2016 13:41:59 GMT 7
Thanks for the info! I went to my local Centerlink to pick up the forms as the AUS 222 is NOT available online!!!! Why?! www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/forms/forms-by-codeAgain, I was told that there is no such a thing as DSP UP, unless I am in last stages of a terminal illness. Was told that other than that, portability ONLY applies to the age pension. Being lied to, mislead is a guaranteed trigger for my PTSD. Next time will ask them if I can record the conversations as I often get confused or fixated on a word and can't process the rest. I wonder if the fact that the session is recorded would ensure that no BS info is given ... ?! Can they refuse? I have no other way of proving that they lie...
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