KirSa_EnigmASenior Contributor
DSP Claims Process Summary
I posted this in my own thread about the criteria for DSP applications. Posting here for anyone who might need to navigate this. Happy to answer questions if ppl have them, but I'm no expert, I can only go with my own experience. Here's what I've got so far:
*******
I've been taking a closer look at the criteria and online application and I tell ya what, there's a lot of hoops to jump through!
tl;dr: Must have official diagnosis. Must be being treated and ongoing treatment. Must be unlikely to improve. Must meet 20 points on one table of imparement to instantly qualify for DSP. If 20 points are across multiple tables, then you must complete a Program of Supports for 18 months, in the prior 3 years before you can qualify for DSP. (Program of Supports is job network assistance and training to help improve your situation)
Long version:
Here are the main hurdles (for anyone else looking to make a claim):
1. Your medical condition needs to be "Diagnosed, Reasonably Treated, and Stabilised" - These 3 criteria will be the biggest hurdle for most people I'd say.
- Diagnosed - Probably the easiest one of the 3. To their credit, the diagnosis, while necessary, is not the focus of their assessment. It's the impact the condition has on your ability to work. The diagnosis just needs to be official and in writing by a medical professional (for mental health, a clinical psychologist, or a psychiatrist)
- Reasonably Treated - There's a few examples on their website, but for the most part this means that you can't be waiting for appointments or have a lackluster history of appointment attendance. The consider the next 2 years of planned treatment too, and if there's a chance your condition might improve then it's not 'stable' and they'll likely want you to wait and see.
- Stabilised - As indicated above, if your condition might improve with treatment over the next 2 years they'll consider the situation still unstable, and they'll postpone judgement until it is unchanging. This is the real kicker, in my eyes. I mean, if you improve, you do yourselve a service, right? But if you improve, you also do yourself OUT of the support service. I won't get into the socio-economics of this monster, but I'm sure you can see the contradiction here.
2. The Imparement Tables for Assessment - (If you want a copy of the actual tables for your reference, you can google: "Tables for the Assessment of Work-related Impairment for Disability Support Pension" and it should be the first link. It's a bast*rd of a thing to find and all other references are vague.)
- Rules - Mental health is table 5 (substance use is 6). In order to qualify immediately for DSP you need to score 20 points in one table. That means 'There is a severe functional impact on activities involving mental health function.'
You must tick off 4 or more of the criteria on the list, including: self care, relationships, community, concentration, behaviour, task completion. Similar list for substance abuse, but more focussed on the impact of your usage habits, health, associations, etc.
If you score 20 points or more, but spread across more than one table, then you need to participate in a Program of Supports.
- Program of Supports - This is an effort by the government to improve your employability by outsourcing training, job search efforts, and support, to a job network. Basically, it's like being on jobseeker except you're a much higher needs client. (stream 5 - in old Centrelink speak)
If you don't have the 20 points in one table and they're spread across multiple tables then you need to have completed a Program of Supports withing the past 3 years. Now, I'm pretty sure this has only been available for the past year or so, so I don't know where they get 3 years from... but anyway. You must have participated for 18 months (or less if the POS is less - whatever that means)
Note: I love how the Program of Supports abbreiation is POS haha!
3. Online Application - If you can tick all the boxes and are prepared to jump through the hoops, the online application through mygov is actually pretty straightforward. I did an application in about an hour last night.
- Documents - The tough part will be making sure you have all the documents. Basically, any medical records that support your claim. The real key here will be to have as many points of evidence to suggest your symptoms make working next to impossible. This evidence needs to come from valid sources: GP, psychologist, psychiatrist, and supporting documents from similar industry professionals (counsellors, social workers, etc)
- Interview - This is sometimes a phonecall if it's more suitable. In person is less likely these days I guess. But basically they just check the details on the application line up with what the medical professionals say, and how you present (taking into account, they say, conditions which are cyclical - so the day you present may not be an indication of your condition. But honestly, that bias is hard to remove in my opinion.)
So... my situation about 10 years ago was that I actually had an evaluation with Centrelink for my alcohol use habits. I was actually in an interview room with a lady who, after checking all the details, basically offered if I wanted to go on DSP - I balked at the idea, thinking "holy shit, I'm not disabled!" - and opted for a reduction in work capacity instead (15 hours / week). I figured I'd dodged a bullet there.
But it seems I was offered the golden goose, which now is so much further beyond reach! Gah!
I'll still submit my application though, and who knows. I might get an upgrade.
If not I'll settle with what I get. At the end of the day life is too short to be spending it arguing over the semantics of a government form or process. In fact, it's probably easier to get some light work and just get on with it (or at least make an effort so the job networks aren't riding your ass), than to go through the 18 months of more intensive assistance of a "POS".
What a Piece Of S... 😂
~ K
