Housebound disability pensioner fails to qualify under NDIS
Feb 25, 2021 7:37:46 GMT 7
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Post by bear on Feb 25, 2021 7:37:46 GMT 7
Housebound disability pensioner fails to qualify for help under NDIS
The family of a 60-year-old housebound Devonport disability pensioner is upset he does not qualify for help through the National Disability Insurance Scheme despite being unable to care for himself.
His sister Catrina Gale, who suffers with depression, struggles to care for her brothers Brett and Patrick Riley and an ill husband.
She said Brett wasn't one to complain and it was hard to get him to ask for help.
"He desperately needs help," she said.
"Patrick was granted NDIS help but Brett was told he did not fit the criteria."
Mrs Gale said Patrick is more physically able than Brett who did did not fully recover after a heart attack in 1999, has arthritis and needs two walking sticks to get around.
"For six months he's tried to get NDIS help but because he's not having ongoing treatment they won't help him," she said
"Patrick doesn't get treatment either and he needs help and got it. Brett needs it too when he can't even put his socks and shoes on."
Brett said, "it does get me down."
"They rejected me twice. So why go through it a third time and get rejected."
However, Mrs Gale said she could not continue to care for three people.
"I can't cope," she said.
"We got Brett a mobility scooter because he was housebound but it's too small.
"My husband put hand rails in the toilet but he needs more modifications in the house.
"This is a Housing Tasmania house and he can't stand in the shower it's not set up properly for him.
"They won't take the bath out to put a bigger shower in.
"I feel bad for Brett because he can't get out and everything is a struggle for him at home."
Brett said he would like help to take the burden off his sister but feared further rejection.
"I'll just have to put up with it because I don't want to get rejected again. I'll just sit here and watch my TV," he said.
Mrs Gale said the system was unfair and did not consider the people involved.
"It's cruel and upsetting," she said.
"His GP and the NDIS person here who saw Brett said he needs help but head office said no."
Housing Minister Roger Jaensch said Housing Tasmania visited the house on Wednesday and while modifications were unable to be made, it was liaising with Mr Riley on other suitable units.
A National Disability Insurance Agency spokesperson said Mr Riley could appeal the decision.
The NDIA spokesperson said the Riley family was contacted to explain the outcome of the NDIS application and discuss their options.
"To be eligible for NDIS funding a person will be asked to provide supporting information, usually from a health professional, that they have a disability that is permanent or likely to be permanent, and to ensure the supports they need are best provided by the NDIS," the NDIA spokesperson said.
"This includes whether all available and appropriate treatment options have been explored. If a participant thinks a decision made by the NDIA about them is wrong, they are encouraged to contact their local office or local area coordinator to discuss their concerns. The NDIA fully respects any person's right to seek a review of a decision made by the agency."
Mr Jaensch said Tasmania's social housing portfolio included properties designed for people living with disabilities, and housing providers also assessed requests for property modifications.
"Some properties cannot be modified to meet specific needs, and the needs of some households change over time requiring a tenant to apply for a transfer," he said.
"However, all new social housing dwellings that the government builds are constructed in accordance with Housing Tasmania's 'Design Policy for Social Housing', so they can be modified in the future to meet the changing needs of tenants."
www.theadvocate.com.au/story/7138543/familys-plea-for-housebound-pensioner/
The family of a 60-year-old housebound Devonport disability pensioner is upset he does not qualify for help through the National Disability Insurance Scheme despite being unable to care for himself.
His sister Catrina Gale, who suffers with depression, struggles to care for her brothers Brett and Patrick Riley and an ill husband.
She said Brett wasn't one to complain and it was hard to get him to ask for help.
"He desperately needs help," she said.
"Patrick was granted NDIS help but Brett was told he did not fit the criteria."
Mrs Gale said Patrick is more physically able than Brett who did did not fully recover after a heart attack in 1999, has arthritis and needs two walking sticks to get around.
"For six months he's tried to get NDIS help but because he's not having ongoing treatment they won't help him," she said
"Patrick doesn't get treatment either and he needs help and got it. Brett needs it too when he can't even put his socks and shoes on."
Brett said, "it does get me down."
"They rejected me twice. So why go through it a third time and get rejected."
However, Mrs Gale said she could not continue to care for three people.
"I can't cope," she said.
"We got Brett a mobility scooter because he was housebound but it's too small.
"My husband put hand rails in the toilet but he needs more modifications in the house.
"This is a Housing Tasmania house and he can't stand in the shower it's not set up properly for him.
"They won't take the bath out to put a bigger shower in.
"I feel bad for Brett because he can't get out and everything is a struggle for him at home."
Brett said he would like help to take the burden off his sister but feared further rejection.
"I'll just have to put up with it because I don't want to get rejected again. I'll just sit here and watch my TV," he said.
Mrs Gale said the system was unfair and did not consider the people involved.
"It's cruel and upsetting," she said.
"His GP and the NDIS person here who saw Brett said he needs help but head office said no."
Housing Minister Roger Jaensch said Housing Tasmania visited the house on Wednesday and while modifications were unable to be made, it was liaising with Mr Riley on other suitable units.
A National Disability Insurance Agency spokesperson said Mr Riley could appeal the decision.
The NDIA spokesperson said the Riley family was contacted to explain the outcome of the NDIS application and discuss their options.
"To be eligible for NDIS funding a person will be asked to provide supporting information, usually from a health professional, that they have a disability that is permanent or likely to be permanent, and to ensure the supports they need are best provided by the NDIS," the NDIA spokesperson said.
"This includes whether all available and appropriate treatment options have been explored. If a participant thinks a decision made by the NDIA about them is wrong, they are encouraged to contact their local office or local area coordinator to discuss their concerns. The NDIA fully respects any person's right to seek a review of a decision made by the agency."
Mr Jaensch said Tasmania's social housing portfolio included properties designed for people living with disabilities, and housing providers also assessed requests for property modifications.
"Some properties cannot be modified to meet specific needs, and the needs of some households change over time requiring a tenant to apply for a transfer," he said.
"However, all new social housing dwellings that the government builds are constructed in accordance with Housing Tasmania's 'Design Policy for Social Housing', so they can be modified in the future to meet the changing needs of tenants."
www.theadvocate.com.au/story/7138543/familys-plea-for-housebound-pensioner/