Frustrated over dsp

Nellsbells
Community Member

After just being refused DSP. I'm struggling to understand how I'm meant to work with my mental and physical issues. Diagnosed with ptsd, depression,anxiety a behavior disorder and show traits of autism plus I have COPD, Vertigo and autoimmune thyroid disease. Centrelnk have told me i have to do 8hrs a week work. Im on newstart which is tough to live on in normal circumstances, but throw in all the medication i have each month its not realistic. I had a job i loved but it put me in hospital with pneumonia. Have been on centrelink medical certificates since then.

I know there's alot of bludgers out there but surely with all the medical evidence i supplied to centrelink i cannot be classed the same.

The Australian government has and always will treat mental health as a joke, unless its voting time ofcourse

2 Replies 2

blondguy
Champion Alumni
Champion Alumni

Hello Nellsbells

Welcome to the forums and thankyou for posting with us too!

I understand where you are coming from as after having acute anxiety followed by depression for 3 decades I dont qualify for the DSP either as Centerlinks's criteria is tough....very tough

By finding the courage to post on the forums you have a strong will to heal and kudos to you

I went through the same situation in Jan 2016 after being made redundant and didnt qualify either. You are the same as I was with being on Centerlink Medical Certificates for a long time while trying to apply for the DSP

Can I ask if you have supplied any certificates from a psychiatrist as well as your GP? I know they can be a huge help....sometimes

You are no bludger Nellsbells as you know anyway....I know you are strong and wouldnt have applied for the DSP unless you had good cause

Just out of respect...I have been on meds for 22 years (and am happy doing so) and have had the frequent therapy and still dont qualify for the DSP too

I wish I could help you more effectively Nellsbells

This is very common yet frustrating situation to be in...you are not alone here

I hope you can post your thoughts or questions when you wish..The forums are a safe and judgement free place for you

My kind thoughts

Paul

Croix
Community Champion
Community Champion

Dear Nellsbells~

Sadly this is a common occurrence, for some reason Centerlink does not seem to want treat a mental health issue in the same way as a physical one, and even with those they are not known for being sympathetic.

As Paul has told you what appear to be open and shut cases are simply ignored.

The only times I know of (this is not an area I'm very familiar with) that have been successful there has been a MH team such as a psychiatrist and GP who have gone to bat for the applicant and put a lot more into the applications than one would normally expect.

Croix