Question about portability and assessment

[motema15]

Hi,

I’ve got a question about portability.

I was assessed by Centrelink 2 years ago as being severely disabled, and under this classification was able to go to the USA for 5 months (under the social security agreement Australia has with the USA).

This ‘severely disabled’ assessment came from a JCA I had about 2 years ago, and I’m fairly sure my ability to work was rated as 0 – 8 hours. (Not sure if that’s a week or a fortnight, it wasn’t relevant because I can’t work at all). Since this assessment, my health has worsened.

My question is – does is this assessment as ‘severely disabled’ the same as the level of disability I would need to have to get unlimited portability under the new rules? Or, are there different levels of ‘severely disabled’?

Thanks!
Em

[anotherdsp]

a few questions,you are over 36 i assume?? you need to find out if you have a severe rating? 20 points in one section is severe? i think severe is severe IMO? you went to america for 5 months in one trip? I f you have family there or are you from there? sounds like you should get it IMO but i am a bit knew to all of this.

GET YA file an chex out what they say on it or at least get your LAST JCA REPORT(EASY TO GET YOU JUST HAVE TO ASK THEM FOR IT.) once you got that look at the new tables on this site some where and that might ease your fears!! IMO you sound like it is ok,but i can only guess?? AND welcome motema 15 lol!!

[Banjo]

Yes, welcome to the board.
I thought your illness had to be terminal to get a special portability deal from Centrelink but every now and then someone seems to get one.
The classification now days should just be disabled, no severe seems to be mentioned in the books.
I'd say you were a shoo in myself, just wait and see what happens then put your hand up.

[motema15]

Thanks Banjo and Anotherdsp for your responses. To answer anotherdsp's questions - Yes, am over 36, just. I went to the USA for 5 months on one trip, yes. I don't have family there and I'm not from there, I went on a tourist visa under Australia's social security agreement with the USA.

My understanding of the severely disabled assessment was that if you are legally blind you'd automatically get this assessment. Everyone else has to be assessed to see if they qualify.

See here for more info (this PDF outlines Australia's social security agreement with NZ, but I think it is the same for most or all of the countries Australia has agreements with).

www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/vLanguageFilestoreByCodes/mcint014_1010_en/$File/int014_1010en.pdf

[Banjo]

OK, thanks for that, it's not something I know a lot about. most of our portability experience is with non-agreement countries.
Yes, you're correct with the legally blind business.

[motema15]

hi Banjo,

Unfortunately Australia doesn't have any agreements with Indonesia or Thailand - or any of the closer SE Asian countries!! It's a shame. I guess though, that when the new portability changes comes into effect that it won't matter, for people who fit the severely disabled category, whether they go to agreement or non-agreement countries.

I usually go to Indonesia for 3 months at a time. I am hoping now to be able to go indefinitely. I'm not well enough to go for 6 weeks at a time, as the travel exhausts me and is really difficult.

thanks for all the info you've put on this forum, it's been really helpful.

[bundyrum]

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