UPDATED: Centrelink Issues

[Anonymouz]

Hi everyone,

 I'm 20 and would just like to know if it's possible to get on DSP for generalised/social anxiety disorder and severe depression. I know I'm still young but don't let that throw you off. At the start of last year I could use medical certificates to exempt me from requirements but unfortunately Centrelink only accept 3... which seems unfair if your condition hasn't changed at all, so that stopped then I was moved to a job provider who after a couple of months had to push me into studying since I won't work and have no other choice.

 I have no interest in this study or any for that matter and only chose this as it seemed the easiest. I find no point in doing this nor do I wish to continue doing it. Unfortunately my job provider is changing and at the start of next month I'll have to go to another one along with so many others in my age group. The way job providers will be working next month I'll have to work 25 hours or so at least a week, ( work for the dole ) and studying won't be good enough!

It's hard enough for me to find the energy to do this course let alone to work... I want to apply for DSP it's not what I truly want but in my condition it is what I want and will be convenient. I've been told by a psychiatrist that anxiety/depression wouldn't cut it though so have lost hope... I know for a fact I won't go and work for the dole or attend this new job provider situation as it's more group orientated and not 1 on 1 appointments.

I've been to a psychologist and psychiatrist, I've been on 5+ different antidepressants, this is ongoing and will be for years to come... I just don't know what to do... I hate saying this but it's true...It's rather DSP or no income.. which will lead to no family member wanting to support me as that's how it was years ago before I finally got onto a payment..

 Any advice or support would be appreciated! I'm just over it....

[white knight]

Hi Anonymouz, welcome here

I'm not entirely happy with your wording of your post. eg

- " I have no interest in this study"

-"I find no point in doing this nor do I wish to continue doing it."

-" I know for a fact I won't go and work for the dole"

Sorry if I'm sounding negative towards you but it seems clear there is a lot of statements here that lean towards what you DONT want to do rather than focussing on what you can do. You are not in  a position to dictate what you will and wont do with Centrelink. They call the shots. You said "study isnt good enough" so I assume you can study....why cant you find a part time job working in an office? if you can study? it makes little sense to me and I think you are being selective.

Prior to this current Govt's stricter rules on getting the DSP you still had to provide a document filled in Centrelink form from your doctor with his/her marking the box that stated "would be incapacitated for 24 months or more". If that happened (and may not) Centrelink then call you in for an interview with a "workplace assessment officer" who determines how much work capacity you have. 20yo, can study, social anxiety (not listed as a severeillness), severe depression- your only severe illness and I's suggest that many years of ongoing episodes documented would be needed with this one.

Now its even harder to get through this process because this Government has determined that (especially younger claimants) you should be able to work at least a portion of the 38 hour working week.

I'm not qualified to tell you if you will pass these hurdles. But from my experience its unlikely. I qualified as my mental illness history spanned 26 years, was littered with short psychotic episodes and included such illnesses like bipolar, dysthymia and depression/anxiety.

My suggestion is to go with the flow. dont try and buck the system- you'll lose. Attend interviews for work and try at least to fulfill their requirements. The reason Centrelink are strict with these issues are that some workers have worked and paid taxes for 30,40, 50 years (eg I worked for 42 years carrying my illnesses) and the Govt manage our taxes. They must make sure that this income is wisely spent especially if you have some work capacity.

Tony WK

[Anonymouz]

I worded it how I felt I'm sorry that's not what you want to read..

 And this 'they call the shots' isn't nice when lots of the workers don't even understand mental illness. Yes the anxiety is severe too hence the not working at all, barely leaving the house etc.

 Also said I can barely find the energy to study so it should be obvious working in an office wouldn't cut it...I don't like your wording of '20 yo, can study, anxiety possibly not severe' that's a nice way to summarize me...

I've been going with the flow, not a nice way to live though.. And it only gets harder. 

[geoff]

dear Anonymouz, thanks for posting your comment and I can't really add any more than what Tony has said, but I felt as though you needed another reply back to you.

The current federal government is hell bent on reducing their costs, and whether we agree or not with how they do it, we don't have a say.

We can jump up and down proposing why changes shouldn't be made, but unfortunately nothing will happen, especially at your age of 20 where they are determined to get you back to work.

I'm sorry but it will be so difficult to go onto DSP.

Sorry. Geoff.

[white knight]

Hi Anonymouz,

I replied to your post in such a way that I knew it wouldnt go down very well. Sometimes being hit with the facts straight up has a better effect rather than glossing over things.

Firstly I'm not doubting your illness and the severity of it. On the contrary actually. But I've also learned that going this way with yourself, is to fight against the all mighty Centrelink. They do call the shots and yes, pity there are so many out there that are discarded as they dont meet the level of illness to be allowed the DSP. But thats how it is, wrongly or rightly so. You have to work within the machine to get any benefits you are entitled to not work against it.

My comment "anxiety possibly not severe" is what I'm suggesting Centrelink will class you as, not what I think. Internet communication can be misread at times. Maybe there is some of this on both sides- you and me.

Geoff clarified much of my intention of my post. Hey, recognise now that you can a/apply for a DSP and see how you go and b/ in the meantime do whatever you have to do to keep the Centrelink income rolling in.

Finally, keep all documents of your medical records. In a few years your mental condition may get worse and you may have better success in applying for the DSP.

I was reacting to your post that seemed to read "I  find no point in doing this..." etc when it is required of you. That is the attitude I was responding to. That attitude wont get you appearing (from centrelinks viewpoint) as favourable.

Hope that clarifies things.   Tony WK

[Anonymouz]

Yeah I'm just lost.. I have been doing what I have to do so I can keep this payment but this all changing I just can't see myself coping in this new situation coming up..

 I've been keeping documents too thanks, got a few medical certificates ( stopped collecting them when they didn't do anything ) both from GP/psychiatrist, a psychologists letter stating what I have and suggesting DSP also on the letter I think from memory ( documents not with me at the moment ) .

I know you mean well but 'In a few years your mental condition may get worse' It's already bad... don't see how it can get worse than wishing you weren't here everyday...

Thanks for reading though.

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[white knight]

Hi again Anonymouz, glad you replied and keep replying if you feel like it.

".. don't see how it can get worse than wishing you weren't here everyday..."

Is it possible you are struggling with any negative thinking? I did until I hit 23yo. Then an event occured where it changed my life forever- it was a motivation lecture. This might interest you. I'll try to be brief.

I sold insurance for a short time. I was doing ok. I went to this lecture as part of my training. The guy talking was "Bill" and he opened up telling us how, at 42yo he started selling insurance. But after 6 months not one policy was sold. With the stress he had a heart attack and lying in hospital his wife came for a visit and asked Bill what he wanted to do when he was discharged from hospital. "I'm going to be a millionaire selling insurance" Bill blurted. His wife laughed at him and it was that laugh that sealed Bill's future. For he no longer cared for anything else. His wife seemed to ridicule him with "that laugh".

Bill started to put plans in place. For motivation he decided to stop his car at 11am everyday where ever he was, and knock on every door of that street until he finished every house. If the street was really long he would return the next day and continue. He started selling a few small policies. Then one day he was in the centre of Melbourne and looked at his clock and saw it was 11am. He was in a major street in the heart of the city. But...to his promise he started knocking on doors, every door of every tall building.

Two weeks later he is still knocking. He arrived at a building owned by a major mining company. He made an appointment and the guy siad "bring along a superannuation expert with you".

The next day he was riding the elevator up to that ossice and the expert told him "introduce me Bill then keep quiet...leave it to me"

Well Bill actually fell asleep during the discussions. Then forms were signed. On the way down the elevator the expert asked Bill "do you know what just happened"? "No" said Bill. "We just sold Australia's biggest mining company an extra 1.5% superannuation for their 60,000 employees" said the expert. "That means I get nothing because I'm on a wage, but your commission is just over ne million dollars".

Bill returned home, put his slippers on and relaxed. His wife came home and asked "how did you go Bill"?

"I made one million dollars today.....AND DONT EVER LAUGH AT ME LIKE THAT AGAIN !!!!!

By this time he was yelling. Never ever ever give up...!

Tony WK

[Eirenuu]

Hey there,

 I read your post and saw a lot of what I had been going through in there. I too am on Jobseeker and having a rather difficult time with depression and anxiety (both medicated and being treated). The only difference is I am a uni graduate and am looking for part time work whilst doing a masters degree, who knows how this work for the dole thing will go. Theres some advice I want to give you:

1: Don't let others demonise or demoralised you. Stand up for yourself and try and love yourself. This situation is hard and you need someone in your side.

2: you will need to do something. It will be incredibly difficult to get on dsp. I'm talking stupid difficult. You need a second plan. Try and find some study that will interest you or a job (part time even, you have the fact that you can stand for more than 50minutes at a time, be grateful!). I know finding a job is hard I really do. Just keep trying. With the social anxiety try and find something with a computer maybe? You really need to find some niche that you can work. Consider asking the job find place if there are any services or transfers they can provide for someone with severe social anxiety.

3: Keep an open mind. Try and convince yourself that this pain is only temporary. Something will change.

I feel for you I really do. I almost cried for you because I know the frustration and sadness and anxiety and depression you feel. My heart goes out to you.

[HYPHEN]

DSP is acquirable just play the game. And i don't mean go with the flow research the criteria and fit that criteria.

-

[Anonymouz]

Over 1 year later and Centrelink still aren't any easier, lol.