Social security - catch 22

bjames · ‎01-01-2016

Hi all,

I've had severe depression and anxiety for 3 1/2 years now. In 2 weeks, I will not have left the house for 2 years and for the year prior it was 4 times for doctors appointments.

The problem I have is that I have been supporting myself financially throughout all of this time. Not having an income for 3 1/2 years with the usual outgoings is crippling me. I've made adjustments in my life to ensure to cut down on any waste of money. I want to apply for some sort of social support/welfare but I am in a catch 22 position. My anxiety is such that I just won't leave home and I dread the thought of having to jump through hoops, so much so, that I have been willing to just support myself financially for the sake of my savings. Well, over the past year the constant attack on my savings is not helping with my anxiety levels at all. I am not tackling thoughts of eventually running out of money and where it puts my future.

Has anyone had this problem? Does centrelink cater for us socially phobic people who just can't bring themselves to go to the required meetings to "jump through hoops". I am sure I am not the only one in this position.

Any advice or feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Bj

White_Rose · ‎01-01-2016

Hello BJ

Welcome to Beyond Blue. I am so sorry you have become a prisoner in your own home. How do manage to do all those things that normally require you to leave the house?

I am not sure how CentreLink operates in situations such as yours. You and they can do a great deal over the phone on the net but I know they like face to face contact as well. Part of this is fraud prevention of course. It would seem reasonable that they have a home visit system but I really have no idea. The best way would be to phone them and ask.

I suspect that no matter what the outcome CentreLink will require medical certification, which means you will need to see a doctor. Do you see a doctor at the moment? I do appreciate your catch 22 situation. It sounds as though you need some medical intervention to reduce your anxiety but you are unable to reach out to get it.

This is a situation that has stumped me. I can only suggest that you contact CentreLink after the New Year break and ask how they can accommodate you. Also phone the national after hours home doctor visits on 13 74 25 for advice on receiving medical assistance, www.homedoctor.com.au or your local GP.

I don't know if any other organisations such as the Salvation Army, Anglicare, Relationships Australia etc can assist you with counselling at home. May be worth a call to them to find out, but again you may need some medical proof of your anxiety.

I'm sorry I cannot be of more assistance. Please continue to write in and let us know how you are going.

Mary

Pantheress · ‎01-01-2016

Hi BJ,

Sorry to hear you doing it so tuff. Before my eldest son became unwell, I was a JCA for centrelink. Job capacity assessor. Centrelink does make allowances for all mental health conditions. However you will be required to have a treating doctors report completed. I'll come back to that. I know this can seem like a mammoth task when we are feeling overwhelmed. I thought I may be able to help you with some solutions although they are not all easy. May be you could attempt 1 per day? call centrelink and request application for disability support pension. Call local mental health service request home visit for mental health assessment. This will inturn supply you with a community support person. Get community support person to assist with forms by presenting them to the original assessment doctor/person. Now the treating doctors report. It is crucial that its filled correctly. 1. You have to be diagnosed with a condition. You have to have had this condition for 2 years, otherwise it is not classed as permanent. 3. Your condition must be treated or at least treatment options attempted. The doctor MUST tick the box that states he expects this condition to be on going. If you get knocked back you can appeal. Get support person to put forms into centrelink and request phone interview due to condition. You will be connected with a JCA. If you are unable to meet the criteria for disability support pension your JCA will usually explain this and why. If the doctor has filled out the medical certificate part of the application you will have no interviews or commitments until this med cert expires. Failing this you will be referred to a job search provider in stream 4. Your consultant will phone you monthly and suggest options you can try, to assist you with your health and employment options. Stream 4 has high funding for support so it really is worth chatting to your consultant about what they can offer, as you may like to do a course by correspondence. You can remain in stream 4 for 1 year. They will then reassess you for disability support pension. You should be able to complete this without leaving home. In a perfect world when all systems work how they are designed to. I hope this helped and has not confused you or overburdened you in anyway. If you need something clarified please ask and I'll try to break it down further. Take care

Anroca78 · ‎01-01-2016

Hi bj, my partner went through similar experience. 9 and half yrs ago, due to bullying from a staff member and severe anxiety/ depression, he lost job even though compo claim went ahead due to unfair dismissal. Lived off his 6 month annual pay out without benefits. I met him at the end of the 6 months and money was nearly gone. Car, rent living expenses sucked it dry. Almost sold car. I visited him cos he did not want to leave home, law suit delayed as he could not pick phone up and ring them.It took him 3 months before ringing Lifeline and getting help. That first step, so hard he was shaking. They rang him over the next few weeks and told him one step at a time. 1- get treatment for anxiety to help settle ,4 weeks and he was seeing his psych and ready for step2- Ring Centrelink, he did it himself was told that he had to come in as it could not be done on phone. 2 weeks later he was told he would be back payed from the 6 months, sorted out comp, compo payout had not affected benefits too much as it was a low amount. Step4- tricky, sent to employment agency, he was 48 and feared going back to work. Centrelink worker suggested applying for DSP exempting him work as long as doctors filled out reports of his condition, updating every 2 yrs. after a hard and stressful few hours being interviewed by Centrelink assessor she approved his application. If he was not being treated would of made it difficult. Still on it at 58 grateful pressure has been relieved by DSP . This all took longer than I explain it. Still has occasional breakdowns but copes easier. Everyone is different, but it really does start with that first step. If you are on your own it must be even harder., but my partner was at his lowest when he called Lifeline, if help was not given then, I hate to think. We wish you the best luck, Beyondblue Lifeline etc can maybe help you too. I hope sharing my partners experience has helped a little too😊 Ange

Anroca78 · ‎01-01-2016

Hi just just one more thing.. Bj, My partner had previously seen another psych and was given a.ds for depression he was with this dr for 5 yrs then his anxiety got bad at work, instead of returning to the psych, he withdrew could not get meds without script so he stopped meds for a year( he thinks) Centrelink I think requires 2, years ongoing treatment as mentioned in another of your replies. but with the two reports from both psychs, they must of overlooked that one year. Sorry tried to fit in story so time frames were somewhat left out or drastically compounded! 😊Ange

geoff · ‎02-01-2016

dear Bjames, it must be terrible for you not being able to leave the house, but as soon as you ring centrelink then that's the date you are then paid from.

I suggest this to people so google 'desensitisation' where this program slowly teaches people to overcome whatever fear they have and it can be done online, but the page has much more to offer you. Geoff.

bjames · ‎03-01-2016

WOW! Thank you, thank you. Actually, I came here over a year ago but wasn't game to get the ball rolling.

White Rose - I do really appreciate the phone number. I do have a doctor but I haven't seen him since (8th Jan 2013). A family member initially put me onto him as they had been seeing him for years, so i am lucky in that he is willing to renew my script and let me family member pick it up.

Pantheress - Thank you very much for the steps/info. As i said to White rose, I first saw my dr 3 years ago to get medication and the last time i saw him was 2 years to increase my dose as I was in the biggest hole. The steps have given me a guide, but it does sound a little daunting.

Anroca - Your post has really helped. It gives me confidence to hear that others have gotten through it in my place and have been helped. The steps you have provided me are truly helpful. I can really relate to what your partner went through. The last time I left the house to go to the doctors i was shaking and I remember sitting and waiting for him and thinking this is not my world out here (I wanted to be back home). I

Geoff - Thanks mate. I just need to get that contact and get it all rolling.

bjames · ‎03-01-2016

Hey guys,

Thanks again for taking the time to help me. I am happy i have taken this step to ask for help on here as I've been hesitant to even get to the past. I have read all of your posts but will come back tomorrow Isunday) to read them all again and try to get some sort of plan together to take some steps.

As I've said, I do have a doctor who I started seeing for my condition 3 years ago but haven't seen him for 2 years even though I continue to use my medication with success (it took a good year to find the right medication). However, the doctor isn't the type to ask a lot of questions and dig into what is going on. He basically just heard my story, saw that I was shaking/struggling and prescribed me medication. This didn't work and I didn't go back until a family member demanded to have me hospitalised. So, I went back and he just immediately upped the dosage and finally i found a balance.

Anroca, I am sure you will understand when I say that the effort required to take these steps has just been too much for me to contemplate.

One of my best mates got all the centrelink forms sorted for me two years ago but I just couldn't bring myself to fill them out knowing that it would require me to leave the house. I think i will make contact first as suggested and take it from there and see if centrelink can guide me.

After reading your posts, I take it I will need some form of psych treatment. I don't mind if someone comes to my house to speak with me. I haven't had any treatment in that form yet because I HONESTLY believe it won't help me, but if I need to jump through that hoop, I will.

You may understand that at the moment, I just feel like I am in a safe place (at home). My medication has really helped even though at first I was really sceptical. I know how to handle my bad days and when I get my dark thoughts (which are nowhere near as frequent in the past year) I just know that I need to just sleep for a day to get me thinking straight again. So apart from my bad periods I still get, I do feel like I am in a good safe place at home and the very thought of leaving my "safe place" has ZERO appeal.

Thanks again guys. I will read it all again tomorrow and look to take your advice.

BJ

Pantheress · ‎03-01-2016

Hi BJ, you sound a little more upbeat toady, gave me my 1st smile for the year, thanks heaps. It feels great to smile. Just thought I'd add a little more info, however it really does come down to the depth of understanding of your JCA person. Most are very understanding. Medication is classed as treatment. So your condition is in fact treated, for 3 years from what I understand. Your family GP can fill your claim form, you may find it easier to fill the form for them, ticking on going, smiles.. then sending it to him. To be able to receive DSP you aliment must have a score of 20 again down to the interpretation of your JCA. So if you have any other condition make sure you have this listed also. Blood pressure, cholesterol, arthritis, any back conditions old xrays? Or reports? rashes and dots. As each condition if permanent gets a score and they all add up. Hoping tomorrow is a good day for you.

bjames · ‎04-01-2016

Thanks Pantheress,

Yes, I feel ok enough to at least make contact and go from there.

Actually, I do have other conditions which have contributed (not helped anyway) my state of mind. I have a chronic back (2 bad discs) which has really altered my life. I also have a few other issues which has made a huge impact on my well being including bad light sensitivity with my eyes. This was like the final nail in the coffin for me when i was down as I can't watch tv and rarely use the computer. I was always going to add these conditions but my fear is that they may ask me to go and see a doctor/specialist again to get it all up to date.