No incentive for jobseekers to get off disability

[Banker]

NEW social security rates reveal that the "payment gap" between disability pensions and the dole has risen dramatically to $127.20 a week, as welfare groups vow to ramp up the issue -- with Greens support -- ahead of the May budget.

They argue there is no incentive for people to get off the more lucrative pensions and into work.

More than 3.3 million Australian pensioners will get a boost of between $5 and $7 in their payments from March 20 but 554,000 on the jobseekers' Newstart Allowance will have their payments increased by just $2.60 a week, to $237.45. The gap has increased by $8 a fortnight in just six months, while the pension rates balloon.

President of the National Welfare Rights Network Maree O'Halloran said for every dollar that the pension increases and payments for unemployed people remain virtually stagnant, there is an additional incentive for people on Newstart Allowance to test their eligibility for the Disability Support Pension.

More Here: www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/no-incentive-for-jobseekers-to-get-off-disability-pension/story-fn59niix-1226018015234

[Banjo]

I can't see why any single person would consider $360 a week "lucrative" and an incentive for not finding a job.
As usual The Australian tries to get people to draw the conclusion that there are worthwhile jobs just waiting to be picked up out there.
As I said to Centrelink last week "Do you think I would be putting up with your crap if I could get a job?"

[wbmania72]

they got no idea about the cost of living.they dont need to after give them self a pay rise every now and than.power,gas,even bread and water sky rocketing.i dont need no compassion from them
but taking people for a ride is what makes your blood boil.

[spaceyone]

I love how they refer to it as 'test your eligibility for DSP'. I thought it was more the case that you are informing the government that you have an illness, which prevents you from working, and therefore are in need of welfare payments to live.

Test your eligibility, lol, test C/L staff and procedures to see who has the most determination is more the case.

[Deleted]

I had a similar problem when i had my first review.

The person doing the assessment was training to be a Physiologist and even asked for my Xrays which was not asked by Centrlink.

I would take the matter further.

This might get you om permanent DSP, they will leave you alone for a while.

Embarrass them as soon as you can.

To make then all accountable for the actions.

Keep us informed.