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Post by darjockey on Mar 16, 2015 15:15:40 GMT 7
Hello
I am a new member and would like some advice from experienced members if possible
My story quickly, I firstt applied for the DSP in June 14 and was knocked back for not having enough impairment points. I subsequently appealed the decision and was granted the DSP in October 14.
Having being a frequent traveller to Thailand I applied for Portability. I rang the International line and got the forms send out,filled them out all good. Had a call from Centrelink stating my interview will be on the 16 March another tick. I asked Centrelink that I did not want to be assessed by the same person who initially done my DSP as did not trust the judgement off my last assessor
Arrived at Centrelink this morning only to find my appointment was with the same person who did my initial assessment. I explained to her I had asked to be assessed by someone different. She explained she has been assigned my case and she was it.
I could tell I was in for a hard time but gritted my teeth and went through with the assessment. Half way through the assessment I could see her getting angry about the fact her original decision was over turned.
She was astounded that I had been granted the DSP especially after the review officer did not contact her for her thoughts.
You see the review officer increased my impairment in one table to 20 points from her 10 points. This gave me a total of 35 impairment points.
I'm thinking 1/2 way through my DSP is up in smoke now as she kept going on about my ability to work more than 2 hours per week. She had originally assessed me to have the ability to work between 15 - 30 hours (hence the decision to knock back my DSP claim).
After all her questions, I asked so what do think my chances of portability are ? She stated that she was not going to recommend that I be granted portability but your DSP will not be affected. She then gave me the Centrelink process on the appeal process etc.
I left Centrelink with my DSP in hand but knowing I had fight on my hands to gain portability.
I got home and stewed for a while and thought she cant go about this way, she is their to only to assess my ability to work not to make a decision as the decision is not hers to make. She is a health professional that is all.
So I rang Centrelink to lodge a formal complaint, my complaint was 1) the fact that I asked Centrelink to be assessed by a different person 2) In my opinion that she had already made her mind up about me as she was annoyed with being over ruled by the review officer
Centrelink noted my complaint and assured me they will get back to within 5 working days
So now I await the letter from Centrelink knocking back my Portabilty and await their response to my complaint
I asked anyone out their has anyone been knocked for portability and how did they go on appeal
Also what are my best options from her in regard to gaining portability
thanks in advance confused new member
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Post by Banjo on Mar 16, 2015 16:12:43 GMT 7
Welcome to the Board. Usually 20 points in one impairment would give you a good chance of Unlimited Portability. You've done all you can at this stage, if she refuses you then you immediately asked for the decision to be reviewed and it will be referred to an Administrative Review Officer (ARO). She appears to have informed you of the appeals process anyway. You need to contact Welfare Rights in your home state when you receive the original decision (assuming it's negative) and tell them what's happened. www.welfarerights.org.au/organisations/vicThere's not really a great deal anyone can do at this stage but the review officer overruled her before, it may happen again. |
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Post by darjockey on Mar 16, 2015 17:11:53 GMT 7
Thanks Banjo
I will keep the forum updated and hope the information I provide might be useful to other members
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Post by nomadic on Mar 16, 2015 19:01:13 GMT 7
Hi darjockey, just keep appealing it all the way with welfare rights the best advice. As for complaining to C/L or even human services among others I have always found it farcical at best. They noted my complaint and that was that. Total waste of time. Good luck on the UP with your points you seem a good chance and when you win demand that person who wasted everybodies time and money be sacked even if she wont even get a yellow card.
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Post by darjockey on Mar 17, 2015 4:58:55 GMT 7
Yea I will be interested if C/L get back to me about my complaint. They told me 5 working days
The clock is ticking will get you updated
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Post by scallywag on Mar 17, 2015 5:50:17 GMT 7
Yea I will be interested if C/L get back to me about my complaint. They told me 5 working days The clock is ticking will get you updated They will get back to you and if they consider your complaint is legitimate, they should arrange another assessment with someone else. |
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Post by darjockey on Mar 17, 2015 6:21:14 GMT 7
Update
Yes scallywag you are on the ball and correct. I just received a call from the manager of the person who done my assessment, he took my complaint on board and he is arranging another assessment. He also stated that any notes from the previous assessment would be deleted from my file.
He also asked if I would like the assessment done in the Centrelink office or via phone. He stated if I choose to do the assessment in the Centrelink office their were 2 other people who could do my assessment as 3 assessors worked in the office, but if I chose by phone it could be anyone from within Centrelink aust wide. I chose to do by phone as I would think the 3 assessors in the same office would talk about their work together and back each other up. Plus after being through the last assessment I would not feel so intimidated
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Post by Banjo on Mar 17, 2015 8:07:40 GMT 7
I'm not a big fan of phone assessments but in your case it may be a good move.
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Post by scallywag on Mar 17, 2015 8:37:15 GMT 7
I'm not a big fan of phone assessments but in your case it may be a good move. or he could get someone from his local office. I have had favourable assessment by ph and another that wasn't so good. Everyone should be aware that they can have either phone or a face to face assessment. up to you. |
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Post by anthonydsp on Mar 17, 2015 9:36:09 GMT 7
Update
Yes scallywag you are on the ball and correct. I just received a call from the manager of the person who done my assessment, he took my complaint on board and he is arranging another assessment. He also stated that any notes from the previous assessment would be deleted from my file.
He also asked if I would like the assessment done in the Centrelink office or via phone. He stated if I choose to do the assessment in the Centrelink office their were 2 other people who could do my assessment as 3 assessors worked in the office, but if I chose by phone it could be anyone from within Centrelink aust wide. I chose to do by phone as I would think the 3 assessors in the same office would talk about their work together and back each other up. Plus after being through the last assessment I would not feel so intimidated
Hello welcome to the forum i personally like phone assessments i had a phone assessment for unlimited portability and was sucsessfull on my application for unlimited portability so i think they are the way to go |
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Post by darjockey on Mar 17, 2015 10:03:20 GMT 7
Update
Yes scallywag you are on the ball and correct. I just received a call from the manager of the person who done my assessment, he took my complaint on board and he is arranging another assessment. He also stated that any notes from the previous assessment would be deleted from my file.
He also asked if I would like the assessment done in the Centrelink office or via phone. He stated if I choose to do the assessment in the Centrelink office their were 2 other people who could do my assessment as 3 assessors worked in the office, but if I chose by phone it could be anyone from within Centrelink aust wide. I chose to do by phone as I would think the 3 assessors in the same office would talk about their work together and back each other up. Plus after being through the last assessment I would not feel so intimidated
Hello welcome to the forum i personally like phone assessments i had a phone assessment for unlimited portability and was sucsessfull on my application for unlimited portability so i think they are the way to go Yea I just feel the phone option is better for me in this case but only time will tell |
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Post by nomadic on Mar 17, 2015 19:02:20 GMT 7
Looks like Im out voted as my only phone hearing was a disaster and i lost. But maybe my disabilities were the cause. Ironic to say the least. As always you can appeal higher if it goes against you.
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Post by darjockey on Mar 18, 2015 12:34:32 GMT 7
I have just been advised my phone interview is on the 27 March will let you know how it goes
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Post by darjockey on Mar 27, 2015 6:13:29 GMT 7
Update
Well this morning I had my phone interview and I have to say I think it went ok. The interview lasted 20 minutes and the further it went the more comfortable I felt. The lady just virtually asked questions only my capacity to work and my disability. The only thing I found strange she did not ask why I wanted to live overseas or where I was going to live.
Overall she was very pleasant and seem to take all my answers on board, I suppose only time will tell. I also found it easy to answer the questions with her not looking at me and not seeing my body language. I found the phone interview quite comfortable
Now I just have to play the waiting game, but I defiantly think it went better than my last assessment as she did not pre judge me.
Here's Hoping
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Post by Banjo on Mar 27, 2015 9:34:07 GMT 7
Good luck, lets hope all goes well.
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