Post by Banker on Jan 5, 2012 5:52:25 GMT 7
MORE Tasmanians risk being denied the disability pension under tighter requirements, which come into effect this week.
The Centrelink rule change could even edge up the state's jobless rate.
In September, Tasmania had more than 27,000 people -- or more than 5 per cent of the state's population -- receiving the disability support pension.
Last year the Federal Government announced a range of welfare recipients would be encouraged to start work, while people moving to claim the DSP would face more detailed requirements.
More than 800,000 Australians receive the DSP.
People will have to show an inability to work, with more specific questions for assessors, though those who clearly cannot work will not be affected.
Half the state's disability pensioners have been receiving payments for more than three years.
Tasmanian Council of Social Service executive officer Tony Reidy said a punitive approach did not work.
"There is no evidence that that leads to improvements," Mr Reidy said.
"What we know has positive results is if benefit recipients are more closely case-managed and ... with education and training support, including life skills, to get them past the stage they're at."
He said cutting benefits hurt the families of recipients.
Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief economist Mark Bowles said Tasmania stood out for the rapid rise in the number of people on disability pensions.
"That certainly is of concern from both a social and economic perspective, and if people can be transitioned into some form of work, that's a positive thing all round," Mr Bowles said.
He said some people would be moved into employment statistics, adding slightly to the jobless number, but also improving the participation rate.
"There are job employment agencies specialising in placing disadvantaged workers and there's a growing awareness within the private sector of the need to adapt workforce conditions for a broader range of potential employees," Mr Bowles said.
The September Centrelink figures showed 27,247 Tasmanians aged 15 to 64 were receiving the DSP. There were 17,714 on Newstart, 9351 on single-parent payment and 3613 on partnered-parent payment.
www.themercury.com.au/article/2012/01/05/289721_tasmania-news.html
The Centrelink rule change could even edge up the state's jobless rate.
In September, Tasmania had more than 27,000 people -- or more than 5 per cent of the state's population -- receiving the disability support pension.
Last year the Federal Government announced a range of welfare recipients would be encouraged to start work, while people moving to claim the DSP would face more detailed requirements.
More than 800,000 Australians receive the DSP.
People will have to show an inability to work, with more specific questions for assessors, though those who clearly cannot work will not be affected.
Half the state's disability pensioners have been receiving payments for more than three years.
Tasmanian Council of Social Service executive officer Tony Reidy said a punitive approach did not work.
"There is no evidence that that leads to improvements," Mr Reidy said.
"What we know has positive results is if benefit recipients are more closely case-managed and ... with education and training support, including life skills, to get them past the stage they're at."
He said cutting benefits hurt the families of recipients.
Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief economist Mark Bowles said Tasmania stood out for the rapid rise in the number of people on disability pensions.
"That certainly is of concern from both a social and economic perspective, and if people can be transitioned into some form of work, that's a positive thing all round," Mr Bowles said.
He said some people would be moved into employment statistics, adding slightly to the jobless number, but also improving the participation rate.
"There are job employment agencies specialising in placing disadvantaged workers and there's a growing awareness within the private sector of the need to adapt workforce conditions for a broader range of potential employees," Mr Bowles said.
The September Centrelink figures showed 27,247 Tasmanians aged 15 to 64 were receiving the DSP. There were 17,714 on Newstart, 9351 on single-parent payment and 3613 on partnered-parent payment.
www.themercury.com.au/article/2012/01/05/289721_tasmania-news.html