My job provider wants me to look for more jobs and I' m not coping

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi,

Not entirely sure where to put this but hopefully someone can relate.

I'm with a DES (Disability employment service) and have quite a few health issues and mental health issues. So when I got assessed by Centrelink they set me at 8 hours per week, which seemed okay because I do want to work.

But I've had a really rough time applying for jobs. I live in the city and our public transport is horrible, so without a drivers license something that's 15 minutes drive can take 2 hours to get there, and then a lot of the jobs that I like need a car anyway. Initially I wanted to do something in mental health like peer support or support work, but at this stage I'm open to anything. I've applied for receptionist jobs as well, but everything seems to be a very competitive industry.

Overall, it's pretty defeating and it gets me down, but now they've bumped up my job hunt from 8 to 15, and it feels rather daunting. I've even relapsed into depression which is really hard.

Is there anyone else in the same position? How do you cope with the job hunt when it all feels so overwhelming at times?

rt

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi Tony,

Oh sorry that's on me I said that wrong-

So they've never offered me a job once.

When they asked about my job search, I told them there were some jobs that I liked that I didn't apply for but they can take up to 2 hours on public transport. Ironically some are only 15 mins by car but the public transport system isn't great where I live. That was when they said well you must not have wanted that job enough, because if I did I would have committed to doing 2 hours public transport.

I actually got an interview for tomorrow and I swear if I get any job I'm going to find a way so they get no credit!

Wish me luck anyway I'm grumpy pants today haha

rt

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi Cee123,

Totally get it. I saw an interview with some minister last night and they're talking about "dole bludgers" and out of all the people I know who is on Centrelink only one of them likes the payment and doesn't want to get off (ever). For the most part, I think nobody wants to be on CL and I hate the stigma with a passion. Drifting seems to capture it perfectly.

Yeah I don't know. I've been thrown around a few different job agencies over the years (not by choice) and could tell you some horror stories, but who knows - maybe you could find a really nice one who genuinely cares.

What did you decide to do with APM?

I think at this stage I'm just going to try and be positive and plot along on my own. Thank you for your support, it means so much to me.

rt

[Cee123]

Well to be fair, it doesn't sound like JobLife have been much help. You've done all that work on your own pretty much. I thought they were supposed to be a disability employment provider, which are supposed to accommodate to the needs of people who have barriers to regular employment. These people are basically just saying go out and do it yourself. They shouldn't get any credit for any success that you have unless they have actually provided some assistance to help you get to that point. I sometimes wonder if the government pays these people for nothing.

[Cee123]

Yeah you are right. They're always complaining about these "dole bludgers". And specifically they target people who are struggling to make life even harder when we're already dealing with a whole tonne of issues while these people just sit in their big offices and their rich mansions. It really makes me angry. I don't know anyone who's on the "dole" and "bludging". You are right about the stigma attached to it. Nobody wants to be on Centrelink - it's depressing. You get treated like you're nothing. It's bad for your mental health. You live in a state of poverty. And you get lost in a system that doesn't care about you. But we're forced into it because we can't afford to survive in today's society and they just can't seem to understand that. And why should everybody else have to suffer because there are a small handful of people who rort the system because they are good at lying and know all the legal loopholes? The way I see it those people are going to find ways to rort the system no matter what amount of cracking down on so-called "dole bludgers" and tightening all the rules and regulations they do. And they're only doing more harm to the people who really are at rock bottom in their lives. It's a sad state of affairs.

There are people on disability who can work and they have been on it for decades like a cousin of mine, there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with him. And there are people that clearly can't work for a tonne of different reasons who can't get disability like my auntie with the cancer, arthritis, bad back etc. It's just baffling really. But as long as people keep defending the system as it is, not wanting to improve it or change it, and tightening rules and regulations it's going to get worse. There are people on jobseeker, disability and even age pension who can't afford to live because the money they get is far less than what they pay for rent and food so they're forced to having to rely on family and friends.

Anyways, I'm just rambling but it does make me angry.

Good luck in the job interview I hope you get it and it's a really good job. I hope they're understanding and helpful and accommodating. I understand what you're going through, and how tough it is. My fingers are crossed for you. Wishing you all the best of luck!

[Guest_1643]

hi all

I relate to this

I worked for many years but in the past 2 have been on centrelink and have had tonnes of issues getting excempt from job-seeking, which I find very hard.
I need a new certificate now from my GP and don't know if they'll accept it - this will be my second...I guess it was okay during parts of the pandemic when they exempt me from job-seeking.
I work casually but not a lot of hours
I find the whole process upsetting and like there's a finger being pointed at me saying "Why aren't you normal?"

I do hate it and I experience many of the difficulties described on this thread.
I try myself to get the centrelink stuff over and done with when I'm strong enough and then to put it out of my head. It does mean I get a little bit of a shock etc when they contact me and am always a little fearful of them... but overall it's too much for me to think about.
Good luck with the job interview 🙂

[Cee123]

Hi Sleepy.

I thought I was the only one. That's exactly how I feel. I wanted to say that I'm feeling exactly the same way as you and I'm in the same boat. Especially with the whole feeling like they're finger pointing and the "why aren't you normal"? I felt that. And I'm also beating myself up over it as well asking myself the same thing. But I just can't help it. I'm falling apart. Struggling to function from moment to moment.

You deserve a big hug Sleepy. You're not alone. I feel you.

[white knight]

Hi RT

Yes, good luck with the job interview. Is it accessible from your home?

It is annoying being on unemployment payment and there is the stigma involved also as Sleepy said. See, as a prior investigator I sometimes would discover (through various means) a person on workers compensation and find they are on the dole also which is not allowed. Or they dont declare they have income from motor accident insurance or continue to receive dole payments when they have secured a job. Some earn lots of money cash in hand like famr work, orchard picking etc and collect the dole as well. Any wonder Centrelink staff are suspicious because these "experts" continue to pull the wool over their faces with lies.

That is some of the reasons Centrelink staff have suspicions and it is unacceptable for them to pre judge the innocent....but who is innocent and who is guilty? They dont know.

I've been involved with law enforcement for 42 years in various professions. The most innocent caring wonderful little old lady can be the biggest fraudster in your town. The one that gets caught and has to repay some payments likely never meant harm. My mother in law has parkinsons disease and her partner that passed away 3 months ago both never had an organised document system. They were overpaid for a couple of years. She has to pay it all back, fair enough, but the fraudster is clever enough not to get detected.

When we work to get income we also pay high taxes. Those taxes go towards paying that fraudster for the dole payment he/she isnt entitled to. So in effect, you spend 38 hours a week working and you help pay for the dole for the guy that works at the orchard getting a combined income double what you get.

This is why I take the attitude that, if I'm on the dole I try to satisfy the agency as much as I can but because of the system I would try to seek work without their help because they give false assurances and have a hidden motive to appease the Government.

Either way it's a terrible situation. The only real direction to take is to remain positive and never give up. The alternative isnt worth thinking about.

TonyWK

TonyWK

[Guest_1643]

hi Tony, that's interesting

And to think when I was a student I was eligible for ausstudy for three years but never got it... never thought to apply. The system is so weird. There is stigma about it for sure and so many hurdles

Hi Cee

Thanks, accepting that hug. I really feel supported as that was a hard post to write.

Great thread RT

[Cee123]

No worries at all. Thank you for sharing. It made me feel less alone and sad.

[IreneM]

Hi romantic_thi3f

Yes I can relate as I used to be in that boat. One thing that helped me when I couldn't get around very well were things like: mobility scooter, electric fold-up scooter, or similar.

Another important thing that I did was leave early enough to allow for how long it took me realistically, I always allowed at least another 30 to 60 minutes. Understand that it can mean leaving early but by the time you get to your destination you can relax and be prepared mentally for what it is that you do.

Another thing was the courage it took to get my license, and the cost of the lessons. I just did a lesson as I could afford it. After a while it was worth the courage, which took me years to do. Today I have my license, and I am now trying to save for a reliable vehicle.

But just persist, these things take time, but they are worth the effort if you keep your eyes on the long-term picture. Even I don't have a job yet, but look at your efforts on these forums! Surely it gives you the confidence to do more, if you look at the positives.

Persistence will one day pay!

Irene.