|
FAQ
Aug 23, 2010 6:21:32 GMT 7
Post by Banjo on Aug 23, 2010 6:21:32 GMT 7
What is the maximum time I can spend outside Australia if I’m a DSP recipient?
13 weeks
How much time must I spend in Australia before my next trip after I return?
Currently there is no restriction here, in theory you can turn around the same day.
What happens if I over stay?
Your payment stops until you return, for up to 13 weeks. At the end of this period you lose the DSP.
Can I reapply for the DSP on my return to Australia?
Yes, you have to apply for NewStart first and go through the job assessment process.
Should I tell Centrelink about my family/relationship outside Australia?
Centrelink expects you to be totally honest in your dealings with them. If you do they will reduce your payment to half the couples allowance. They will also consider that this weakens your residency status. Maybe you should reconsider how serious this relationship is.
What’s this about “residency status”? I’m an Aussie aren’t I?
Not if Centrelink doesn’t consider you to be one. They do this by determining what ties you have to Australia and what ties you have overseas. If you’re not a resident in their eyes, you’re not entitled to the DSP.
What if I need professional advice?
Make sure you use someone that the Government has to pay for. Welfare Rights, which has a branch in most state capitals, is a good start.
What are the new rules as of 30th June 2012?
Unlimited portability will be available for people who meet certain criteria.
|
|
|
FAQ
Aug 23, 2010 11:45:50 GMT 7
Post by Banjo on Aug 23, 2010 11:45:50 GMT 7
Have you been told that officially? Do you have it in writing? They can only cut you off if you are in breach of Centrelink regulations, which you're not at the moment. If the regulations change next year, and none of us can be sure how they will, or for that matter if they will, then you take it from there.
|
|
|
FAQ
Oct 6, 2010 4:14:04 GMT 7
Post by colhogan on Oct 6, 2010 4:14:04 GMT 7
gday fellas.
what has happened to the centreflunk site? i cant log in.....the page says FORBIDDEN on this server...?
|
|
|
FAQ
Oct 6, 2010 20:07:47 GMT 7
Post by Banjo on Oct 6, 2010 20:07:47 GMT 7
Ho Col, I think it's been trashed, not been able to access it for a long time. Check their FaceBook site. They were naming C'link officers in public forum, it was never going to last.
|
|
|
FAQ
Oct 7, 2010 4:30:31 GMT 7
Post by colhogan on Oct 7, 2010 4:30:31 GMT 7
thats a pity. he was really giving it to em!!! lol
good to see some of the old members here. lets hope the info keeps coming, to help those out there being screwed by c'link.
cheers.
|
|
|
FAQ
Oct 7, 2010 15:56:25 GMT 7
Post by Banjo on Oct 7, 2010 15:56:25 GMT 7
|
|
|
FAQ
Jun 13, 2011 9:45:26 GMT 7
Post by latindancer on Jun 13, 2011 9:45:26 GMT 7
I am living overseas on the DSP and getting married soonish. I have looked at Centrelink's website for information but there are no definite answers as each case is individual. My concern is that I will be paid at the married rate which is less than what I currently get. Centrelink says :"How your payment is affected will depend on your personal circumstances......This is because your income and assets, as well as your partner’s are taken into consideration. You may receive a different amount of money when your partner’s income and assets are included in assessing your payment." My future partner receives about AUD $ 65 per week here. Have any of you married DSPers been in the same situation and received less after marriage, while living O/S ? My concern is that my basic payment will be reduced from $670 to $505 per fortnight.
|
|
|
FAQ
Jun 13, 2011 10:14:10 GMT 7
Post by Banker on Jun 13, 2011 10:14:10 GMT 7
I am living overseas on the DSP and getting married soonish. I have looked at Centrelink's website for information but there are no definite answers as each case is individual. My concern is that I will be paid at the married rate which is less than what I currently get. Centrelink says :"How your payment is affected will depend on your personal circumstances......This is because your income and assets, as well as your partner’s are taken into consideration. You may receive a different amount of money when your partner’s income and assets are included in assessing your payment." My future partner receives about AUD $ 65 per week here. Have any of you married DSPers been in the same situation and received less after marriage, while living O/S ? My concern is that my basic payment will be reduced from $670 to $505 per fortnight. The simple answer is yes you will loose part of your pension if your are married or living in a De Facto relationship. The reason is because C/L would look at the amount of money your partner earns or could earn. This is what can happen if you don't tell C/L about your new situation. www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2011/06/10/263021_news.htmlThis is one reason I remain single the other reason is "I'm still too young to get married" that's what I tell the girls anyway...... ;D
|
|
|
FAQ
Jun 13, 2011 12:28:28 GMT 7
Post by Banjo on Jun 13, 2011 12:28:28 GMT 7
A married person is entitled to half of the couples payment. This applies even if the other half of the couple is not eligible for Centrelink benefits. Any income this non-eligible person earns will be taken into consideration though and without looking it up, I suspect half of it will be deemed the pension recipients income. I don't think half of $65 a week will make much difference but Centrelink will certainly take into account a wife living outside of Australia when they make any decision regarding your residency.
|
|
|
FAQ
Jun 15, 2011 21:15:15 GMT 7
Post by outbacklady on Jun 15, 2011 21:15:15 GMT 7
Hi ...What are the current travel restrictions for a DSP pensioner who has a disability expected to last longer than 2 years? I understand that one can only leave for 13 weeks, but how soon can the person leave again? In this individual case the person after having bowel cancer and surgery is unlikely to improve and this has been supported by consultant and GP. Thank you.
|
|
|
FAQ
Jun 16, 2011 5:15:51 GMT 7
Post by Banjo on Jun 16, 2011 5:15:51 GMT 7
Welcome to the board outbacklady. Currently there are no restrictions on the amount of time you must stay in Australia between 13 week portability periods. Centrelink themselves have admitted this.
Starting next month new restrictions will be placed on new DSP recipients and anyone under 36 as they will be required to under go rehabilitation and retraining for the work force. I would assume there will be some sort of assessment process in place though.
|
|
|
FAQ
Sept 19, 2011 15:51:43 GMT 7
Post by zorro1 on Sept 19, 2011 15:51:43 GMT 7
When arriving back to Australia what information from customs/immigration does c/L get?
eg Just a date ? or is it more complexed eg date, time, countries visited.
What I would like to know specifically is does the arrival city show up?
lets say for example someone lived in Hobart but didn't want to fly that far so they fly to Perth (from asia) and then turn around the next day. I'm assuming that anyone renting would be claiming rent assistance so that would look strange if they are never home.
C/L must have rushed in the 13 week rule and not thoroughly thought out the 13week rule/rent assistance combination
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
FAQ
Sept 19, 2011 17:36:35 GMT 7
Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2011 17:36:35 GMT 7
Zorro1 On my short trip overseas i ring to say i am back home. I have been advised that they have a link direct to the immigration, and it shows up on your file about the date and time you arrived. So no one can try to say one thing and it has been something else. Same as your bank interest in the bank, they have a link to that too. Who says big brother is not watching. Is this what information you were after
|
|
|
FAQ
Sept 19, 2011 18:14:57 GMT 7
Post by Banjo on Sept 19, 2011 18:14:57 GMT 7
They certainly check with immigration when you ring in. I'm not sure they would take note you arrived in Perth etc the first few times but I'd say that eventually the residency monster would creep out from under the bed.
My advice is this, if you are prepared to stand up for your right to travel as a free Australian then do as you please. If Centrelink decide you are not living in your house then they will cut off your pension and your rent assistance and then you will have to appeal the decision.
|
|
|
FAQ
Sept 19, 2011 21:47:07 GMT 7
Post by spaceyone on Sept 19, 2011 21:47:07 GMT 7
I would assume that most of our members do not claim rent assistance. Instead it is one of the allowances our members relieve the government from having to pay to them, by living somewhere cheap enough that it would not qualify anyway.
The 13 week loophole was a game of pretended residence, allowed by both parties. Claiming for having to financially maintain a property here, while not actually living in Australia, would be unlawful and we would not promote nor advise it.
|
|