PTSD Compo and Centrelink

[Tagco]

Former bottle shop attendant for a well known chain. I have recently been through 2 hold ups and going through a pretty tough time trying to recover. My problem is that i am no longer with my employer but i still receive help from The private Compo insurer for medical visits , expenses etc. This means i receive an updated work cover certificates after every visit with my GP. As I'm no longer with my employer and i get no financial help from the Compo Insurer I now rely on help through Centrelink. This is where the system is wrong and i get no help from Centrelink. I recently talked to a Centrelink Social Worker and asked to join a DES Service Provider Program to help me get back to work or try to go back to work only to find that i can't do that because i need a medical Certificate. My doctor won't give me a certificate because I'm on Work Cover and she said it is against the law to give me a Certificate for Centrelink while I'm on the Work Cover Certificate. So even though I'm Receiving regular help From my Psychologist and GP and on medication I am not classed as sick through Centrelink's eyes and have been asked to apply for so many jobs every month to the point that i was with my Service Provider the other day and she asked why I'm not applying for Phone canvassing Jobs. I looked at her and replied that i would be no good at doing phone Work as i can't even talk to someone on the Phone without shaking. She then said well why have you been applying for Delivery Driver Jobs if you can't talk on the phone. With tears in my eyes i looked at her and said at least I'm Trying. I just feel like I'm going backwards in trying to recover and I'm in a very emotional state at the moment and some days i can't stop crying. The Compo Insurer has promised me to help me with a back to work plan but I've been waiting for 6 weeks now. So with no help from either end I'm stuck in the middle of a system that does not help the sick. I don't want to be on Centrelink but have no choice and all i ask is for some help with getting me back in the work force. The Disability Work Provider (Des) said i need a Medical Certificate to Join there Service. I just think it's so wrong that even though i have proof of my sickness that no one can help me with me in trying to get back to work. Has anyone else been through this and have any answers for me. Please help me. 

[white knight]

Hi, welcome

I was involved in the workcover industry (fraud area) for many years. Back in the 80's I also had a claim at one stage. The system hasnt changed that much so I sympathise with you in that it doesnt help the sick.

So the system is unjust- why is that?. Simple reasons are twofold-

• There is a huge percentage of fraudulent claims that the industry cant cope with which has produced a negative attitude towards claimants
• That the system leaves claimants in a catch 22

Employees of Centrelink and employment bodies therefore dont see the tears and the pain of claimants. It isnt to say they dont have empathy, their job demands results not nursing people back to work, to put it bluntly.

The best advice I can give you is to visit a compensation lawyer. They will sort out how you can manage the situation. Also, speak to your GP in terms of what sort of work you can manage, hours etc and get him to write a note you can carry with you to interviews. Although it doesnt add ultimate weight to the situation you at least have in writing from a GP that you are not suited to working with high volumes of communication with the public etc. Then you can say to employment bodies- "my GP says I cant do that work, he is more qualified in my capacities."

TonyWK