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Post by Deleted on May 14, 2014 8:59:57 GMT 7
From 1 January 2015, recipients of the DSP who travel overseas for more than four weeks in a twelve month period will need to reapply for the payment. There will be some exemptions, for example, for people with terminal illness or permanent and severe disability and no future work capacity. link" kevinandrews.dss.gov.au/media-releases/84Hi everybody on this forum, Like everyone I also follow the budget for the new year. Some very nasty surprises came with it. If we stay one day more than 4 weeks in any 12 month period overseas, our DSP will be canceled and we have to reapply. This means everyone who is a frequent overseas traveler will either lose DSP or get reassest under the new guidelines. Thats a very nasty but clever move from the government cos they lost some important cases in past month regarding residence. All what they needed to do is just cut off everyone after 4 weeks and make them reapply. I just wonder how does this works if you stay in a country where Australia have a mutual agreement with. Doubt that senate will block this new rule. I feel sorry for many who set up new life in other countries and have zero option for the future now. But if you follow the other countries its was just a matter of time till Australia will adopt simular things. This is just the start of more to come. In the end there is food stamp only left just like USA has... In the meantime just enjoy what we have got. applepie from hawaii
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Post by Deleted on May 14, 2014 9:04:43 GMT 7
Any thoughts from other members?
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Post by blahblahblah on May 14, 2014 9:06:23 GMT 7
I questioned the wording of this last night thinking it looked suspicious. The "continue to qualify for DSP" is interesting language. Are they saying you will need to reapply if you stay out of Aus over the 4 week limit? Nice find.
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Post by dspworried on May 14, 2014 9:16:53 GMT 7
Hi All, I am a new member who found this board after doing some googling last night about the budget and DSP.
I am 30 years old, I am on Disability support pension and I have Indefinite Portability. I have been deemed permanent and severe disability and no future work capacity.
My condition is stable and is not going to change.
Will I have to be re accessed? Does the new 4 weeks outside of the country apply to people who already have Indefinite Portability? Is Indefinite Portability going to be axed?
Are the changes for just normal portability or indefinite portability as well? (remember they are 2 separate things with their own rules etc)
Is anyone able to shed some light on this? I am a bit worried at the moment.
Thank you.
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Post by Deleted on May 14, 2014 9:20:02 GMT 7
Yep, thats what it says on the official media website.
After 4 weeks no payment and reapply. That means DSP is canceled after 4 weeks for everyone who has not been declared terminal ill or severe disabled.
They hit two flies with one hit.
No trouble for CL regarding residence issues anymore and make them all reasses under new tables or stay outside Australia with no payments.
Clever done by government but nasty for some.
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Post by Banjo on May 14, 2014 9:29:08 GMT 7
Welcome to the board applepie.
I see what you mean, it certainly reads like any overstay will be penalised.
From 1 January 2015, recipients of the DSP who travel overseas for more than four weeks in a twelve month period will need to reapply for the payment. There will be some exemptions, for example, for people with terminal illness or permanent and severe disability and no future work capacity.
I'm going to move this thread to the Portability and Residency forum.
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Post by pactrpo on May 14, 2014 9:30:07 GMT 7
they way its going the govt will require you to apply for just leaving your city or town of residence. maybe we will all have to wear sat transponders and some sort of fitness type of recorders to make sure we are truly disabled.
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Post by dakota on May 14, 2014 9:50:30 GMT 7
This is wonderful (not). I have been planning and already prepaid a 6 week holiday to Europe for early 2015. It may well be my last travel. I am loathed to cancel it but if I go I lose my pension. It leaves people who have already bought airfares for travel in 2015 in deep water. All seems very unfair
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Post by keepyourchinup on May 14, 2014 11:14:45 GMT 7
I have gone through all 16 Budget Papers for the 2014-2015 Australian Federal Budget, and extracted all items that relate to DSP. I have excluded NDIS, Disability Employment Services, and internal Governmental costing matters.
I have put those details in the "Disability News/DSP in the 2014-2015 Australian Federal Budget" folder.
Please note that are important changes to DSP for the under 35's, and a change to Portability to 4 weeks overseas in a 12 month period except for those who are terminally ill or who have a severe impairment.
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Post by keepyourchinup on May 14, 2014 11:15:24 GMT 7
There are at least 3 different classes of DSP recipient: 1. Those that are terminally ill. 2. Those that have a severe impairment, that being their Job Capacity Assessment is that they are not expected in the future to be able to work 8 hours or more per week (I am in that group). 3. Those that are neither class 1 or 2.
It would appear from the Budget Papers, classes 1 & 2 will not be changed, so I will still be able to stay overseas unrestricted, as my Doctors have made it clear they never expect me to be able to work again, and that was accepted by Centrelink International Services quickly in February 2013.
For those in class 3, they would appear to be subject to the 4 weeks overseas in a 12 month period restriction.
If my DSP situation changed, and I was obliged to return to Australia, I would be on the plane as soon as my lungs would be safe on a long flight. I would not complain at all, as I am incredibly grateful to receive any money from the Australian Government. I am in the Philippines getting Registered Nursing care to try and get me better, and I see REAL poverty all around me, so I am overjoyed to receive my DSP each fortnight.
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Post by keepyourchinup on May 14, 2014 11:15:52 GMT 7
It is my understanding still that if you have been granted "Severe Impairment" (inability to work 8 hours or more in a week) by Centrelink Management, then if you apply to Centrelink International Services to travel overseas for health reasons, you are more than likely to be granted Unlimited Portability, as I have been only just over a year ago. The key to this process is not really the Government, but the details of your impairment provided by your Doctors, and their acceptance by Centrelink International Services. I had no problem at all with anyone at Centrelink since 2008.
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Post by keepyourchinup on May 14, 2014 11:16:23 GMT 7
From my reading of the Budget Papers, there is now NO 6 week rule, and it has been replaced by the 4 weeks overseas in a 12 month period. If you are currently on the 6 week rule basis, then I think it changed for you to the 4 weeks overseas in a 12 month period. It is my understanding that prior to the Budget, the 6 week rule applied to all DSP recipients, except those who are Terminally Ill or granted "Severe Impairment".
Those who are Terminally Ill or granted "Severe Impairment" could apply to Centrelink International Services for what constitutes Unlimited Portability, where there in no return restriction at all, which is the case for me.
I had Centrelink Management at Nundah QLD explain to me at the beginning of the Centrelink International Services application process, that Centrelink had long ago accepted that I had been granted "Severe Impairment" status, and they showed me that on their computer screen.
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Post by keepyourchinup on May 14, 2014 11:39:03 GMT 7
There is a wise saying about more heat than light. I found this great place recently, and have learned quite a good deal of valuable information and advice, however there are some amongst us who are unhelpful, at best in their postings. Please be more measured in your tone, as there are people among us seeking answers to their questions.
Now, "dspworried". I am also deemed as having a permanent and severe disability and no future work capacity. I am overseas in the Philippines, where I am getting Registered Nursing care that I am paying for from my DSP payment, which is my only source of income.
When I applied to go overseas in late 2012, the Centrelink staff at Nundah QLD went through the steps involved very carefully to make sure I understood everything, then they showed me on their computer screen my status of having a permanent and severe disability and no future work capacity, then they started the application process, which was successful for me to travel overseas unlimited with no return requirements.
I would suggest that you go and visit your local Centrelink office to verify your DSP status, and query your particular compliance requirements.
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Post by roxane on May 14, 2014 13:53:48 GMT 7
Do you mean that after a while your status could be automatically changed to severely disabled? I find it difficult to believe, but worse a shot. Has anyone's status changed without applying for UP?
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Post by Banjo on May 14, 2014 14:53:47 GMT 7
This is wonderful (not). I have been planning and already prepaid a 6 week holiday to Europe for early 2015. It may well be my last travel. I am loathed to cancel it but if I go I lose my pension. It leaves people who have already bought airfares for travel in 2015 in deep water. All seems very unfair Welcome to the board Dacota. What I would do is wait for the dust to settle, a few weeks to give Centrelink time to pick up the ball, and then ask them the consequences of a 2 week overstay in 2015. They MAY say that your pension is stopped for the final 2 weeks and be reinstated on return without having to go through reassessment. Failing that, try to change your departure date to late this year, you should still get the full 6 weeks portability.
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