|
Post by tallgirl on Jan 10, 2020 11:34:33 GMT 7
I have been assessed. I'm fully diagnosed, treated, stabilized, and my condition is permanent. I _think_ I have 20 points on one impairment table. In my JCA, for impairment table 5, it says "Recommended Rating: 20" and "Total Impairment Rating: 20". My disability, which is a mental health condition, has evidence/diagnosis from a GP and clinical psychologist. I'm a migrant who has been in Australia less than 10 years but my inability to work arose in Australia. I have been attended a DES provider as required since January 2019, which is only a year, but if I do have 20 points on impairment table 5 I shouldn't need this to be 18 months. I'm a few months shy of 50 (so I'm well over age 35). With the understanding that no one can predict what Centrelink (or their contractors) will do, does everything seem to be in order to be approved for the DSP?
I have an appointment with a government contractor clinical psych later this month and I'm wondering what (if anything) I ought to do to prepare.
|
|
|
Post by bear on Jan 10, 2020 14:47:15 GMT 7
G'day tallgirl .....others here are more familiar with current assesments than I am. I've reread your post a couple of times and not understanding clearly. Could you please clarify. You've been assessed as fully diagnosed, treated and stabilized. Y/N You've completed a JCA and have been given the results. Y/N Your JCA says recommended/total impairment rating 20 points. Y/N If the all of the above processes are/have been completed; and the answers to the above three statements are all in the affirmative, then YES, everything appears to be in order to be approved DSP.My confusion lies in why you are simply not just enduring a waiting period to hear of your result, one way or the other; but rather, have been referred to a clinical psyche instead, prior to the notification. Perhaps it is some new last step process I am unfamiliar with, because from my understanding of the process I would have thought your JCAssessor would more than likely have been a clinical psyche and, that one would also have been involved in the diagnosed, treated and stabilized process. However since the appointment is pending, my advice is to approach it in the same manner you approached your JCA. Cheers bear
|
|
|
Post by nomadic on Jan 10, 2020 19:12:15 GMT 7
Not my area at all tallgirl. All I can ask is for is good news so we can all cheer for a change.
|
|
|
Post by tallgirl on Jan 11, 2020 9:58:12 GMT 7
G'day tallgirl .....others here are more familiar with current assesments than I am. I've reread your post a couple of times and not understanding clearly. Could you please clarify. You've been assessed as fully diagnosed, treated and stabilized. Y/N You've completed a JCA and have been given the results. Y/N Your JCA says recommended/total impairment rating 20 points. Y/N If the all of the above processes are/have been completed; and the answers to the above three statements are all in the affirmative, then YES, everything appears to be in order to be approved DSP.My confusion lies in why you are simply not just enduring a waiting period to hear of your result, one way or the other; but rather, have been referred to a clinical psyche instead, prior to the notification. Perhaps it is some new last step process I am unfamiliar with, because from my understanding of the process I would have thought your JCAssessor would more than likely have been a clinical psyche and, that one would also have been involved in the diagnosed, treated and stabilized process. However since the appointment is pending, my advice is to approach it in the same manner you approached your JCA. Cheers bear
Hi Bear,
Yes, the answer to all three questions is "Yes".
Edit: My JCA assessors were a Registered Psychologist and a Rehabilitation Counselor.
I was handed a copy of my JCA with the Impairment table information when I asked for it in my local Clink office. But when I called in with a question about it I was told I can't be looking at a copy of it because my application is still being assessed.
I think someone f'd up at my local office and printed it for me when they shouldn't have.
I had a file review so I didn't do anything to approach my JCA. What happens in a face-to-face interview?
|
|
|
Post by Denis-NFA on Jan 11, 2020 13:28:56 GMT 7
|
|
|
Post by bear on Jan 11, 2020 18:24:59 GMT 7
G'day tallgirl .....others here are more familiar with current assesments than I am. I've reread your post a couple of times and not understanding clearly. Could you please clarify. You've been assessed as fully diagnosed, treated and stabilized. Y/N You've completed a JCA and have been given the results. Y/N Your JCA says recommended/total impairment rating 20 points. Y/N If the all of the above processes are/have been completed; and the answers to the above three statements are all in the affirmative, then YES, everything appears to be in order to be approved DSP.My confusion lies in why you are simply not just enduring a waiting period to hear of your result, one way or the other; but rather, have been referred to a clinical psyche instead, prior to the notification. Perhaps it is some new last step process I am unfamiliar with, because from my understanding of the process I would have thought your JCAssessor would more than likely have been a clinical psyche and, that one would also have been involved in the diagnosed, treated and stabilized process. However since the appointment is pending, my advice is to approach it in the same manner you approached your JCA. Cheers bear
Hi Bear,
Yes, the answer to all three questions is "Yes".
Edit: My JCA assessors were a Registered Psychologist and a Rehabilitation Counselor.
I was handed a copy of my JCA with the Impairment table information when I asked for it in my local Clink office. But when I called in with a question about it I was told I can't be looking at a copy of it because my application is still being assessed.
I think someone f'd up at my local office and printed it for me when they shouldn't have.
I had a file review so I didn't do anything to approach my JCA. What happens in a face-to-face interview?
tallgirl I'm even more confused now.......the system beggars belief! The only JCA's I'm aware of are face to face or phone. First time I've ever heard of them doing a file review to satisfy JCA requirements. They generally do file reviews to determine whether people are still qualified for payment; and generally surreptitiously. People usually only become aware that one's been done by acquiring their file under FOI, and since you aren't yet qualified.....well you fill in the gaps as to why I don't understand. Long story short......interaction with a JCAssessor is not to determine the impact of your condition on your work ability; it determines what your work capacity is irrespective of your disabilities; what you can do, not what you can't. Try to keep that in mind whilst convincing them you can do very little. As stated; I have no current first hand experience with current DSP applications. But the outline above is what's designated in the legislation. I had hoped a member who had had one done in the last few months or another staff member with more recent experience would've turned up; but it doesn't seem to be meant to be at this stage. Cheers bear Just in case you haven't seen it I've copied & pasted the relevant table. You can look to see the criteria for 20 points and relate to it accordingly. 20 points There is a severe functional impact on activities involving mental health function. (1) The person has severe difficulties with most of the following: Note: Most means at the absolute least 50%. Since there are 6 descriptors, having difficulties with 4 or 5 is a lot better than with 3 (a) self care and independent living; Example: The person needs regular support to live independently, that is, needs visits or assistance at least twice a week from a family member, friend, health worker or support worker. (b) social/recreational activities and travel; Example: The person travels alone only in familiar areas (such as the local shops or other familiar venues). (c) interpersonal relationships; Example 1: The person has very limited social contacts and involvement unless these are organised for the person. Example 2: The person often has difficulty interacting with other people and may need assistance or support from a companion to engage in social interactions. (d) concentration and task completion; Example 1: The person has difficulty concentrating on any task or conversation for more than 10 minutes. Example 2: The person has slowed movements or reaction time due to psychiatric illness or treatment effects. (e) behaviour, planning and decision-making; Example: The person’s behaviour, thoughts and conversation are significantly and frequently disturbed. (f) work/training capacity. Example: The person is unable to attend work, education or training on a regular basis over a lengthy period due to ongoing mental illness.
|
|
|
Post by tallgirl on Jan 12, 2020 20:47:29 GMT 7
I have the table but thank you for posting it. It's always useful to have them for any lurkers following the thread.
I had a special accommodation to get a file review. I don't want to say any more than that for privacy. It was made very clear at the time that it wasn't a normal part of the process.
I'll provide an update on my progress once I know more.
|
|
|
Post by tasjo on Jan 15, 2020 3:01:25 GMT 7
Hi tallgirl
Sorry, been a bit swamped with stuff at home the last week or so...
I think I have gone through similar and agree with you in someone stuffing up when they gave you a copy of the JCA 'review'. From my understanding it sometimes happens when there are delays or an escalation in an application, but I may be wrong.
I'm the staff member bear was referring to who has more recent experience with the DSP process.
If your file has gone to an independent contractor it 'should' be in its final step.
I'll be back later on today and happy to try and help you make sense of what's going on.
|
|
|
Post by tallgirl on Jan 19, 2020 18:21:24 GMT 7
Hi Tasjo,
I'm sorry I didn't respond sooner. I didn't see your response with all the other threads going on the board.
Whatever you could tell me about what happens in the independent contractor assessment would be very appreciated.
I don't really understand what this is for. Bear said "Long story short...interaction with a JCAssessor is not to determine the impact of your condition on your work ability; it determines what your work capacity is irrespective of your disabilities; what you can do, not what you can't. "
I understand the words but not in this context. I feel so stupid. I'm so afraid of this meeting. Since my condition is mental, what happens if I have a panic attack in the meeting? My carer will be going with me. Will he be interviewed while I'm in the room? I'd rather not have to hear someone else describe just how mental I am while I have to sit quietly.
How do they determine my work capacity? Do they have a pre-set list of questions they'll ask me or will I have to plead my case without any notes or structure?
|
|
|
Post by nomadic on Jan 20, 2020 6:56:55 GMT 7
When I was interviewed i was asked if I could do this job or that job and I told them why I couldn't. Barman? No, I cannot hold a glass in my left hand due to loss of fine motor skills. What did you do previously? I was a driver. I no longer have a licence because of a sight problem. OK, you are unemployable she eventually said. But things may have got worse in the last decade since I went through it.
|
|
|
Post by tallgirl on Jan 20, 2020 13:24:03 GMT 7
Thank you, Nomadic. I saw your response while I was waiting for my meeting. It helped me to feel calmer.
Bear was right. This meeting wasn't really needed since my JCA already had my impairment rating. The government contractor psychologist spoke to me for 5 minutes. She said she would be confirming the JCA results and I could stop worrying about whether I would be approved or not. She wasn't allowed to say the words "You will be approved", but she came as close as she could.
|
|
|
Post by rainyday on Jan 20, 2020 13:34:17 GMT 7
Hi tallgirl, hoping you get a positive result. All the best
|
|
|
Post by bear on Jan 20, 2020 15:01:49 GMT 7
I hope your wait won't drag out tallgirl ....like everyone here, I hope it's positive! I don't really drink much or often but; when you three ladies finally get your rightful just rewards I may go on a bender for the weekend. Cheers bear
|
|
|
Post by tasjo on Jan 20, 2020 18:09:22 GMT 7
The government contractors are the 'confirmation' step of the DSP process... They aren't allowed to examine you but because the jca is an allied health professional they are essentially used to confirm what the jca said is correct.
What is unusual in your claim is that your jca was not done in person and that you were provided with a copy of the impairment ratings without requesting it from freedom of information. But, I did have a similar experience after AAT level 2, where Centrelink were ordered to do a new JCA and did a file review.
We will wait to hear your DSP has been granted... Everything crossed for you (metaphorically, my joints don't cross very well lol)
|
|
|
Post by nomadic on Jan 21, 2020 6:18:09 GMT 7
Nike time bear when they all win. Bender-Just do it. Me ditto.
|
|