Jobactive provider...

[IamBradley]

Of late my anxiety seems to be being more and more exacerbated, and i feel that much of this is the result of my new job coach at my jobactive provider. After my 2nd last appointment with him i felt utterly awful, he pretty much disregarded/struggled-off all i had to say about my anxiety (despite having very little understanding at all about anxiety).

I contacted a woman that i previously had dealt with at the same jobactive provider (to express how i felt and what had occurred), and she suggested that i should get assessed by Centrelink and that i would need medical evidence.

So i went and saw my doctor, whom thought that the better route was to write me a Centrelink medical certificate (as well as referring me to both a psychologist/psychiatrist).

So I submitted this medical certificate online on Monday, but as i had an appointment with my jobactive provider today and the medical certificate was yet to be on the system, i had to attend.

I told him the situation, which was met with a lack of compassion/sympathy/empathy. Then he essentially stated that going to my doctor, getting a medical certificate and lodging it with Centrelink was 'unacceptable'. Suggested that I should of dealt with my anxiety earlier (he is medically qualified to make this judgment?)

I'm not quite sure why i'm writing this, though i guess i need to get it off my chest. Out of interest, how long does it generally does it take Centrelink to process medical certificates. Also should i make a complaint or something about the job coach?

[IamBradley]

Sorry shrugged-off, not struggled-off*

[IamBradley]

He made the analogy, you stub your toe and if you realise there is something wrong with it you go see a doctor, and was trying to relate it to my anxiety (which it is a rather bad analogy for, as anxiety is nowhere that straightforward) and why i should of dealt with it earlier (and its not like i haven't dealt with/treated it previously)

.. does he seem to think just because time has passed, anxiety can't improve or deteriorate? And why does he seem to think because i got refer to a psychiatrist in the past and didn't attend (for financial reasons) means that i didn't want/try to treat it then/now?

idk at times i wonder if being on Newstart is even worth it, perhaps its easier to hide away from the world and not have to deal with this sort of thing (though i guess that is probably not the way i should think) .

[IamBradley]

Sorry, i guess i'll keep having a conversation with myself...

It's strange, he suggested i got refer to a psychiatrist in 2012 according a report on the system, i got refer to a psychologist, which i attended in 2012. i don't recall psychiatrists being brought up until late 2014/early 2015, and i believe my doctor wrote me a referral to one early 2015. Because mid 2015 was when the contracts for the jobactive providers changed over, and the one i was at the time lost their contract (and before they did they were suggesting they may be able to pay some towards the psychiatrist).

[Kazzl]

HI Bradley, welcome to the forum. I'm sorry to hear you're having such a rough time with Centrelink - sounds like you got one of the less compassionate people there.

I haven't dealt with Centrelink myself, but we often hear of unsatisfactory dealings with them. One thing I'd say - persevere. I can understand why this experience would make think of giving up and going off Newstart, but that will just hurt you. You are entitled to it, and you should have it. That's why we pay taxes and I for one want my taxes to go towards supporting people who need it. No question.

A suggestion - do you have someone who can go with you to meetings with them as your support person? Not to fight the battle, but to be a reassuring presence for you, and a witness to how you are treated? I'm not sure if Centrelink allows this, but if it's possible it might help.

Dealing with bureaucracy can do anyone's head in, so try hard not to feel bad about how it's affecting you. That will just compound the problem. Know that you're not alone, and the problem is with them, not you. Stay strong and resolute and get what you're entitled to mate.

If things become too hard and you want to chat with someone, give our helpline a call on 1300 22 4636.

Very best to you mate

Kaz

[Sophie_M]

Hi Bradley, thanks for posting.  Just a tip on posting: if you start a new thread and reply to it yourself multiple times before others have had a chance to reply, you're less likely to get a reply.  Our community champions (and other members) will often scan through the threads to see how many posts are in a thread before clicking in to respond.  If it appears a thread already has replies, it may be passed over for others with no responses or fewer responses.  

It can also help to get yourself known in the community here by participating in other threads.  A few more tips on this below: 

Forums etiquette: give support to receive support

Newbies guide: 4 tips for getting the most out of the forums

[IamBradley]

Oh okay, thank you Sophie_M

[MyProfile]

Hi Bradley,

I'm sorry to hear you're having a tough time with your job active provider. I've had experience with hpeople shrugging off my anxiety, and it's super frustrating. Clearly he is really only there to do a job, to get you a job, and not actually help you as a person. That's disappointing considering the types of people who would walk in his path at that place.

My experience with centrelink was good. I got a medical certificate after being in hospital a month, and centrelink gave me 6 months of not having to find a job. I was so grateful, and ended up trying to find a job because I didn't have pressure. Unfortunately, I went through their job provider, and basically the woman helping me find a job treated me as if I were an everyday job seeker, she had no consideration for my crippling anxiety. Even though she met me while I was in hospital!

It's ridiculous. It's insulting too. It's as if they're saying "oh, you're looking for a job? You must be all better now, so we're going to ruthlessly force you into anything we can find."

I took the cowards way and started a tafe course. Followed by another. Followed by trying to work, which failed, I picked such a stressful job. I've been unemployed since May last year. Now trying to find a job that I feel comfortable with, not one that people push me into or that I feel I should do.

I hope you get more compassionate and understanding help soon Bradley.

All the best

MP

[IamBradley]

If i were to fail to meet my requirements, and they were to cut off my payments. Once the medical certificate kicks in (i guess that's even if they accept it), could i get my payments turned back on and that way i wouldn't have to deal with the jobactive provider, while i'm waiting for it to kick in? or it doesn't work that way?

[MyProfile]

Hi Bradley,

I think if they cut your payments before you got your medical certificate, you would have to reapply. However, you said that you already lodged the certificate on Monday? So I think they won't cut you off while deciding your fate, but if they do cut you off then decide to give you newstart without having to seek a job for a while then they will most likely back pay you. But if they cut you off and then decide not to cover you then you won't get back pay.

When I got "sick leave" and Newstart, I had a psychiatric registrar write to Centrelink, and then Centrelink had me come in to do a job assessment interview. But in the interview they didn't ask me about job stuff, they asked about my mental health and being in hospital etc. I'm surprised they were so lenient. They did set me up with the job seeker lady at that time but I wasn't "required" to get a job for 6 months.

Keep in mind that if you get a reprieve from job hunting by centrelink, you could use the time to look for a job on your own terms, when you feel up to it, rather than getting forced to by them when your time runs out.

Hope any of this helps.

MP