Centrelink will not accept my medical Certificate

Tonyw · ‎04-04-2017

I have got Anxiety And Depression And Centrelink will not accept my medical Certificate after 1 year now they are stuff me around they say you can work 15+h and that`s it. I been cut off 4 times not turning up. any know what i can do?

Sad_Puppy_Dog · ‎08-09-2017

In a similar situation myself. Depression/anxiety, unemployed. Do have a want to work (My real career path is in the film industry which is both ridiculously hard to break into, earn money from and have anyone take seriously or understand) but my state has been getting worse and worse over the last year with 2 relationships ending.

Having said this, the soul crushing, stupid and flawed process of having to look for 20 jobs per month, with no progress has been an added stress.

I have had a number of medical certificates forwarded through but last week found out the last 2 or 3 haven't been recognized. What has saved me is that I have been seeing the in house counselor at my job network agency for awhile and because of that, the assigned agent at his discretion has not been pushing me to have to look for work but to recover first instead. Having dealt with some crap, apathetic job network people before, I appreciate this, although I wish he tole me this ages ago instead of me believing that I was still obligated.

The counselor suggested I look into getting my stream (And job capacity) reassessed and shifted to Disability. The Job network agent gave me a 'Verification of Medical Conditions' form for my GP to fill out and that's supposed to help but the Mental Health Triage (Who I have been dealing with in the last 6 weeks after some bouts of contemplation) think I might need to look into it a bit more to get to the Disability stage as that form may not be quite enough.

It's a bit confusing to be honest. I wouldn't be surprised if anyone else is.

So that is where I am at. There could be an actual chance of being reassessed and recognized as going through something serious and be actually helped and listened to. I also have a psychologist on board and upcoming first psychiatrist appointments, so hopefully they can back me up.

It's an incredibly frustrating situation and hopefully you get somewhere useful with them.

snowflitzer · ‎10-09-2017

Hey, I am so sorry to hear this. I had the same happening to me. I was diagnosed with Depression and Anxiety in November 2015. The first certificate got accepted by Centrelink but as you guessed right the 2nd was declined and I had to work 15 or 20hrs a week and I couldn't even get off bed most days. I went really mad and lodged a massive complaint in Centrelink and put a complaint in with the DES. I put in a big doctor certificate in and got one from the psychologist as well. The DES had a psychologist as well. Both said I cannot work at all at the time. I had two interviews with the clinical nurse and I saw the local member. I got nearly a year off and hadn't even to show a doctor certificate but you have to fight for it.

After the year I brought in another doctor certificate and that got accepted. When I brought in the next one I was told the next one will be declined. I went to the local MP and they contacted Centrelink for me and since then I am on my 4th Certificate and I never have a problem anymore with them. I told them either they help me to get better or stay out of my life.

However, I need to tell you that I studying full time a Bachelor in IT to keep me occupied and having a structure in my life. I know this is not for everyone and it took me a while as well to get that far. But I said to myself I don't let the depression dictate my life.

I hope this helps you. Don't give up. Most people do not realise it is so hard to get out of them. I got a dog to help me know and I have my fair shares to explain he is my companion dog and I need him in my daily life.

Good luck.

chap10 · ‎13-09-2017

Hi BJXCAM . Not sure where these facts of yours are coming from. In actuality . You can get a medical certificate from a psychiatrist that exempts you from looking for work, as many times as needed, over and over again for exactly the same reasons. You don't need to be 35 or 65, you don't need to look for 15 hours of work. I agree with what you said about study though. If that was what one wanted to do it could be a more suitable option for them. But I'm afraid the rest of your "information" could be quite misleading.

carer1 · ‎16-09-2017

centrelink doesnt have to care, i remember my brother being told that because he could work an hour a day he didnt qualify. ( ignoring also the fact that to get to any work would mean travelling for an hour.). everyone seems to think that meds and therapy fix things.

Watermelon75 · ‎07-11-2017

I only just found this topic so I'm sorry for the late reply. On the Centrelink medical certificate (it needs to be on one of their forms), get your gp to write in the area "is this condition": exacerbation of a permanent condition. By using the word exacerbation, your medical certificate won't be rejected because it is declaring that the condition has reared its ugly head.

white knight · ‎07-11-2017

Hi

I received the disability pension after the following facts. Compare yourself with these to see the differences

- I was 57yo (now 61) age is significant

- I applied a few months before the govt tightened the rules

- I had endured my illness for long periods before applying. All documented eg anxiety 24years, depression 10years,bipolar 4 years, dysthymia 4 years.

- i experienced 2 psychotic events in recent months. Hospital documentation

- log of work attendance provided i.e loss of work days due to illness.

- access to my mefical revoeds granted

- my GP declaring on the dsp form that my conditions would continue beyond 2 years duration

So, you can see my application was comprehensive. They have now tightened it up further.

Tony WK

democracydemon · ‎23-12-2017

I'm a recent above knee amputee (July 2017) I supplied a Verification of Medical Condition permanent obviously over 2 year exemption Centrelink refused to accept. I submitted have stamped copy to Centrelink replacement medical certificate from GP again permanent over 2 years centrelink are refusing to accept it. I have been through a Job capacity assessment Step 1 and Step 2 Centrelink's independent contractor to assess advised I'd met the criterior by the assessor for Disability Pension and still I'm being hung out to dry with the !@#$%^ refusing to issue me with a renewal to my Health Care Card and still on hold for the Dis Pension. I already have the Ombudsman onboard I am at the stage where I've had a Centrelink senior officer review and have demanded an Authorised Review Officer. I'm going to take them to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. I promise everyone on this page I will not be letting it drop.

Bethie · ‎23-12-2017

Hi

I've just finished a 7 month battle to get on carers payment with Centerlink and can understand your frustration.

Uunfortunately Centrelink is now closed till the 3rd of January.

Best advice I can give is ask to talk to a Centerlink social worker they can give you more help in their system than anyone.

There is a huge backlog of claims in disability support atm but in the mean time most likely the Social worker will be able to get you on Newstart with a reporting exemption.

THey are actually really nice helpful people and I couldn't have handled everything since my partners accident with my anxiety and depression without them .

Keep posting and let us know how your coping.

Rylos77 · ‎12-02-2018

This just happened to me today. I have been diagnosed with extreme anxiety and depression, PTSD and agrophobia. Went to hand in my certificate today and they said that an assessment haf been done on me ( for which i was not even present ) and told me that i am no longer exempt. I was not even given the oportunity to explain what was wrong with me. She just made an appointment for me at the disabled job search network. This was enough to send me into a 3+ hour anxiety attack, so bad that i could not stop crying and could barely speak. If i could i would sue them for emotional distress. But i would probably lose.

democracydemon · ‎02-03-2018

Approved for DSP Jan 6. 4mths from receipt of DSP Application by Centrelink. Was told incorrectly that I was only entitled to backdate from receipt (Centrelink Snr Office) - knocked that one on the head. I have nearly finished the AAT and I've not forgotten my promise. There is something wrong when people have to get doctors to lie on statutory government forms (Centrelink logo on) because if their medical conditions are going to last longer than three (3) months Centrelink's computer can't handle it. At Senate estimates yesterday Centrelink admitted the computer is flawed. My job at the AAT is going to be a whole lot easier. Hang in there everyone I'm not stopping.