Painful pension application process putting seniors off

[Banjo]

Painful pension application process putting seniors off Centrelink

Many Australian seniors have been forced to go without the Age Pension due to the overwhelming and complex Centrelink application process, a recent report has indicated.

According to a joint study by the National Seniors Australia (NSA) and Retirement Essentials the challenges faced, including long phone wait times and confusing online applications, have left much of the population feeling frustrated at the Department of Human Services program.

While many people have previously expressed their discontent with Centrelink, the report has proved there is a major problem that needs to be addressed.

Surprisingly, or perhaps not surprisingly, the number one complaint made by respondents is the Centrelink call centre with 95 per cent of people reporting they were dissatisfied with the service received.

Others found the overall time to actually get through the application process the most frustrating thing of all.

However, most shockingly a total of 88 per cent of people said they were dissatisfied with the application forms and processes and some even gave up applying because it was too hard.

With the study identified as the first independent research into the issues, Retirement Essentials founder and chief executive officer Paul Rogan said the real scale of the problem has now properly been revealed.

“In a country like Australia where people have worked hard and paid taxes their whole life, it’s simple not fair that government makes it hard to apply for the age pension,” he said.

“I was surprised by how widespread this problem is. If the survey data is reflective of the whole community, then based on demographic trends over 153,000 Australian seniors each year are having a negative experience when applying for the pension.”

In April this year, the Federal Government revealed a further 1,000 people would be hired for the Centrelink call centre to keep up with the heavy demand and ensure quicker response times.

However, complaints against the service have remain high.

The Department of Human Services, which oversees the welfare system and Centrelink, says it’s working on improving online services so people won’t have to call through at all.

The department’s general manager Hank Jongen told Starts at 60 that Centrelink was committed to improving its interactions with those applying for welfare benefits such as the pension.

“The new online claim process ensures claims contain all the information needed, so they can be processed as quickly as possible,” he said.

“We understand online options are not for everyone, and we are committed to improving people’s experience when dealing with us by be it by phone, face-to-face or digitally.”

startsat60.com/money/pension/australian-seniors-unhappy-with-centrelink-age-pension-application

[Deleted]

This is surely against the Spirit of the OAP, the Anzacs & the Aussie Fair Go.

And don't try to tell me we get to have our say at the Ballot Box, because if that were true we'd be within our rights... sorry that's not right, we don't have a bill of rights... to have a mass boycott of the election without being fined or struck off! 

Or even just a boycott of one, cheers bear

P.S. The more I think about it, the more I find we are and have been being dictated too, for far too long.

[nomadic]

those days are long gone bear. fair go is dead and will not return is how i see it. What would happen if no one voted? This is my dream. Sadly the sheep are controlled by the media. If you have a job, roof, pay tax, go for a mac on a Friday night, TAB or footy on Saturday then your preferred politicians should be adored. Imagine if everyone really knew the truth about Hank just to begin with. All those above sheep think he's a good honest human. And if I was still able bodied and working in Oz i would be one of those sheep also. It's impossible not to be brain washed by the media when all is honky dory. Although i was always a union man and socialist.

[anklspon]

What a crock,when I call these subhumans I go on YouTube and put on that song,we are one,we are many,.....I am ,your not Australian,lol,fair dinkum sing it out loud I do,

[anklspon]

That's why friends some serious action has to be taken,I'm going to put a bullbar on the front of my old panelvan,take my prescription medication,look out brussel sprout,I can't believe I have been chosen,it's an honour really,

[nomadic]

Just remember anklspon that anything you do wrong just reinforces their bigoted beliefs. I repeat that you can only benefit and help everyone by beating them at their own game as hard as it is. I lost court cases because i just went along thinking i will tell the truth and win. But it is hard evidence that is needed. This always wins out even with monsters like Centrelink. people who go about it all in a calm way always win out. Then you end up happy and they are the angry ones because of their brain washed ways of thinking. We are all lazy bludgers and they will never change their minds on that and doing crazy stuff only makes them think even worse of us. take it easy please.

[anklspon]

good luck in the future friend,if banjo is going delete to somexof my comments containing contact numbers I'm out of here,good luck mate,

[nomadic]

anklspon He didn't delete them but just put them in the closed forum so only genuine members can see them and not spies. Make no mistake he has your best interests at heart. I have met him along with others here and we are all on the same side in wanting things changed. For everyone not just individuals. Many fight with us for a short time only, till they win their own little battle and are then gone but the real ones hang around and will do so until the war is won. My dream is to see this forum mutate into a chin wag only one. We shouldn't be the ones fighting for change but SH** happens as we all know. Hang in there and we will all toast your win eventually.

[mulloway]

anklspon,

One piece of advice, NEVER be abusive to centrelink staff. I am certain they have a Griffin Book (Black Book) of what they would describe as "rude and ungrateful" customers and I also believe they actively make it harder for those people. I personally know of a homeless wheelchair-bound lady with schizophrenia and addiction problems who has been repeatedly denied the DSP. A few years earlier she was violent and abusive at a Centrelink office and I suspect that incident might have contributed to her DSP rejections.

I know you are currently under stress but try to explain your situation calmly and respectfully. Make it clear to them how tough you are doing it and how unfair you think it is. Let them know you need their help.

[latindancer]

Good advice from Mulloway.

Don't get mad....get even. Report staff who have done anything reportable....nasty, unfair etc. Then enjoy knowing that they will get into trouble.

And if you're living in your car...ENJOY ! I lived in mine on and off for a few years and loved the solitude and freedom. I used to camp out in the car up a bush track outside Brisbane. I had a camp stove and the only "problem" was finding places to shower. But up around Mooloolaba there are many beach facilities for people to shower after swimming, or parks where you can attach a hose to a tap, and shower in your swimmers. For quiet camping spots, try inland a bit. The only problem then is the cost of petrol when you're going from A to B.

Do a Youtube search for "stealth camping", or "camping in your car", or words like that. I noticed a few yesrs ago that people in the States have become very good at this, after the property crash there. there is some very good advice on Youtube....detailed advice.

[Deleted]

Retirees left high and dry without benefits because of long Centrelink delays

By Paris Martin • Reporter
8:27pm Jul 12, 2018

Pensioners experience delays for Centrelink payments. It's being dubbed the aged pension disgrace: retirees hoping to put their working days behind them, but sometimes waiting up to eight months to have their pension applications approved.

Australia's peak seniors advocacy group told 9NEWS it's unacceptable, and is calling for an urgent overhaul of the pension process.

"The age pension is one of the pillars of old age. People depend on it. They expect to be able to get it if they're eligible," John McCallum from National Seniors said.

Frustrated family members are venting their anger on the Department of Human Service's Facebook page.

One granddaughter complained her grandfather retired on March 4 and still has not received his pension.

Retirees are being forced to wait for their pension applications to be approved.

Every month, he is forced to outlay $200 on medical bills for diabetes without any benefits.

"They get so tired of waiting and so frustrated by it, they just don't want to go anywhere near it and they miss out. So that's really unacceptable," Mr McCallum said.

The Department claims the average time to process an age pension is 49 days if they receive the right documents, but in more than half of cases that is not the case.

Pensioners say the whole process is too time consuming.

"I don't wait. I find it quicker just to go over there and get into the queue. I don't bother with the phone.

"They hold you up. It's like everything these days. Anything up to an hour, of course. Until you give up."

Applications can be submitted up to 13 weeks before reaching pension age.

So if you are planning to apply, it might pay to get in early.

www.9news.com.au/national/2018/07/12/18/19/aged-pension-centrelink-delays-retirees-left-high-and-dry-without-benefits

[latindancer]

Crikey....I had no idea about this. How difficult can it be ? Bureaucracy gone mad, perhaps. Only the right and correct documents accepted.....sure. But what about quick feedback when they have not ?


Couldn't possibly be due to the numerous staff cutbacks....no. Not possible. (Insert bitter, mocking smiley here).

[nomadic]

sadly no one has any idea in general. we on the forum know many things the general public will never know unless a royal commission happens. Even with what we know and have experienced it is hard to believe in a country like Australia. So the public just think it is the usual looney left making things up if they even hear these things at all. Only a massive cultural revolution can change things.

[ann]

I went from the DSP to AGE very recently. Got an email from Centrelink asking if I wanted to and if so, fill in an online form which I did. Was a simple form, hit enter and at the appropriate date I got the Age pension. It couldn’t have been easier honestly. Husband did it earlier this year and just as easy for him to. Don’t understand how it all works but was a dream run for us both. Now card says AGE instead of DSP. No other changes (except I’m now officially old).

[Deleted]

Jul 13, 2018 19:04:51 GMT 7 ann said:

I went from the DSP to AGE very recently. Got an email from Centrelink asking if I wanted to and if so, fill in an online form which I did. Was a simple form, hit enter and at the appropriate date I got the Age pension. It couldn’t have been easier honestly. Husband did it earlier this year and just as easy for him to. Don’t understand how it all works but was a dream run for us both. Now card says AGE instead of DSP. No other changes (except I’m now officially old).

And you've got UP.