DSP and work

[mishka2014]

Hi Everyone.

This is my first time posting. I have been on a Disability Support Pension (DSP) for the past 7 years due to suffering from anxiety and depression which was preventing me from keeping a job and doing many hours. The DSP was an absolute blessing as I was in a really bad mental state, but ofcourse it was very hard to obtain. Last year I got reviewed which was very stressful and damaging to my mental state, but my application was accepted to stay on DSP. Recently I have been offered work (up to 10hrs a week) my psych thinks it will help my self esteem, but I am worried if I start working again even though it is only a small amount of hours, that I will be reviewed and taken off DSP which I don't feel ready to do. Any advice or personal experience would be appreciated.

[BballJ]

Hi mishka2014,

Firstly, welcome to the forums.

I don't have much experience with the DSP, however is there anyone you can speak to through I am assuming it is through Centrelink? Just ask there advice and say your psychologist has advised to perhaps do casual work for my mental health and just ask how it affects your DSP payments. Alternatively you may be able to call the Beyond Blue helpline on 1300 22 4636 and they may know as well?

Sorry I couldn't be of more help, hopefully someone replies with more insight.

My best for you,

Jay

[white knight]

Hi Mishka, welcome

If you google

Disability Support Pension – Allowable hours of work

Youll get an explaination.

Cheers

Tony WK

[geoff]

hello Mishka, I'm on DSP but you are still allowed to work a few hours a week without affecting your payments and 10 hours a week is permitted, but you have to keep in mind that even these hours may become too much for you in the future. Geoff.

[Tweet-Heart]

Thanks for posting, I am applying for DSP and hopefully my claim will be accepted once lodged. To answer your queries you can work up to 30 hours a week and keep your DSP but what you warn will reduce your DSP amount. 10 hours a week is fine just check with your Accountant and Centrelink if this affects the amount you receive. I would not recommend increasing your hours beyond 10 per week. Hope this helps.

[BeKindRewind4Life]

Disability can be suspended for up to two years if undertaking more than 30 hours per week

"Working 30 or more hours a week
If a DSP recipient starts working for 30 hours a week or more, their DSP will stop, but it may be suspended (that is, held open) for up to two years, rather than cancelled. This means that if the person starts working less than 30 hours a week within two years of their DSP stopping, they can return to DSP without having to claim it again. People whose DSP stopped due to working 30 hours a week or more continue to have access to the Pensioner Concession Card for a year from their DSP stopping."

src: dss.gov.au/disability-and-carers/benefits-payments/working-and-receiving-disability-support-pension

Which is confusing with the 15 hour rule: 3.6.1.12 Qualification for DSP - 15 Hour Rule

"From 1 July 2012 DSP recipients may continue to receive DSP if they obtain paid work of at least 15 and less than 30 hours a week notwithstanding that to qualify for DSP at claim they must be assessed as having a work capacity of less than 15 hours a week."

src: dss.gov.au/disability-and-carers/benefits-payments/working-and-receiving-disability-support-pension

3.6.1.100 Continuation, Variation or Termination of DSP

These rules cause a lot of anxiety, for people on disability for anxiety disorders, and the fear of being reviewed and losing the only thing that truly stabilises their lives, makes it worse, and if they get reviewed that anxiety becomes extreme which gets demonstrated to the reviewer. This is a badly thought out process for people suffering mental illness. It's sadistic to aggravate someones disability just to confirm they still have it.

src: http://guides.dss.gov.au/guide-social-security-law/3/6/1/100

In my opinion it's these rules, being made unclear to people on DSP that limit their desire to find suitable work within their capacity, out of fear, anxiety, and lack of support to do so. I also have the same issues.

I truly hope that if you did find that one employer who gives you a go, they play by the rules, and do everything above board, pay the correct wage, and are not just in it for a short term subsidy. Even people with limited capacities want to work, if given the chance.

[Tweet-Heart]

Thanks for posting this. I think the 15 to 30 hour rule changed in 2012. I have applied for DSP and am going to submit current medical evidence. I am not well enough to work and that is why my GP and clinical psychologist have encouraged me to submit the application. Hopefully it will be approved.