Q for Australians on here (we don't have raccoons)

Heya

Are there any aussies on here that are receiving disability from centrelink? If so.. was it easy or did they make ur life hell? are u getting the max pay? whats your situation.. working/studying?

Am thinking of applying for it but im a full time student (cant get student allowance anymore because theyve said its taken me too long to do my degree!!) so dont know if being a student affects it yet..

going to discuss with psych on tues but wanted to see if anyone else has had experience with it..

B

I applied early this year and didn't get on. It's difficult to get onto disability at the moment, particularly with mental health, because of the politicians trying to appeal to the people who are lucky enough to not need help.

Being a full-time student will probably make it harder for you to get onto disability. It shows that you are capable of full-time "work".

I was unemployed and had been on Newstart with a medical certificate saying I couldn't work for about 5 months when I applied for disability. Once you fill in all the paperwork and get a doctor or psych to fill in some as well, and all that is lodged, they'll make an interview appointment with you. At that interview, the C'link employee asks a whole bunch of questions, takes down heaps of notes, and will tell you that their report will be passed onto someone else, along with the paperwork you and the doctor have filled out, and that person will make the decision.

Some psychs won't fill out that paperwork, btw.

You may find it easier to ask to speak to the C'link social worker and find out what options are available to you. They may be able to get you back onto student allowance.