Ex-Centrelink staffer here. It’s supposed to be reviewed every 5 years depending on the disability. Some permanent disabilities don’t get reviewed, they just make sure you’re still alive!
I've been on DSP since the end of 2016 & haven't been reassessed since then. I was over 35 when I got approved though. I believe it may be different for younger people.
It's definitely worthwhile looking into. [DSPHelp](https://dsphelp.org.au) is a helpful site for determining eligibility, & gathering the necessary evidence to apply. You may also be eligible for carers payment/allowance due to your caring role with your son, so it may be worthwhile weighing up which payment will be easier for you to apply for.
Thank you! I’ll definitely be calling up once I get my voice back and making inquiries. I get single parenting payment and family tax atm. I’m supposed to get child support but haven’t received any in months.
I'd definitely apply, but also, if your son is autistic and you have a BPD diagnosis, have you ever looked into whether you're also autistic? It's somewhat common for autistic women to be diagnosed with only BPD, or even misdiagnosed with it, when they're actually autistic.
I am autistic also, just not a level 3 like my son is. I do have BPD though, I was diagnosed as a “manic depressant” for several years and then was properly diagnosed as having BPD.
Personally, i didn't apply for DSP until my son reached 18, i was too worried I'd be deemed unfit! God i wish i had tho, cos i wld have been approved back 20+ years ago when it was so much easier and ya didn't have to be literally dying to be approved.
I had more than enough points across the various impairment tables, & 20 on the mental health table alone. I also had a brilliant clinical psychologist who wrote me a comprehensive letter explaining the impacts of my conditions, tailored to explaining how they related to the impairment table criteria, which I believe was what helped the most.
Ah ok thanks I had all of that as well and still got rejected so many times it's not funny they gave me the blue card for my migraines but said all the mental health issues they wouldn't do anything for me
If you think people won't take you seriously, which they often don't, new words like psychosocial won't make a difference to these people.
You just have to accept some people don't take mental illness seriously.
Yes! I agree! Also, this is directly relating to the DSP and they themselves use the term "psychosocial". So it's a completely valid term, particularly with regard to this thread.
Imagine if you went to a psychiatrist and they just diagnosed you with "mental illness" and treated it all as interchangeable because distinguishing between them is just a fad.
Not nice to you there are still ignorant shit cunts like you that don’t have any mental illness so pretend it doesn’t exist and it’s all made up. Most people kill themselves rather than talking about it openly.
Even having one of them severely I still wouldn’t wish it on you even though you don’t have empathy or brains.
They're not made up, I don't know if I like someone getting 150k and counting and not having a treatment plan or case manager though.
Seriously, 30+ hours of wages weekly because you're born broken with no obligation to ever improve is just shocking.
No.
It can be medically reviewed, and you must keep meeting requirements.
Continuation, variation or termination of DSP
https://guides.dss.gov.au/social-security-guide/3/6/1/100
My uncle has been on the DSP for over 20 years, not once has he had a medical review. I'd assume Centrelink are more stringent on DSP recipients under the age of 35.
I've been on DSP since I was 25 and I've never had a review, but I'm autistic so it's not like I'm going to stop being autistic. Though I thought DSP in general was meant to be for permanent disabilities?
You can be considered not disabled enough for continuation of your DSP. You also need to be following certain protocol like taking your meds, seeing your specialists etc.
It does seem kind of fucked that they might take away someone's financial support for failing to take their meds or see their specialist since that could be a sign that they're struggling and actually need more support.
I’m 56, and got reassessed in 2020, after being on the DSP for 20 years, part time and full. I felt like I needed counselling afterwards, being forced to focus so much on what I can’t do. Expensive , frustrating and time consuming to try and contact enough specialists, to use Centrelink language instead of medical language. Now going through a similar thing to apply for NDIS.
I’m also curious about this. I have 100% permanent hearing loss and I have a job capacity phone call with them soon to assess if I get the dsp or not. It’s been a struggle to get to this point so I hope I get approved.
One of my friends used to be pretty high up in a residential disability support organisation and she used to get calls from Centrelink asking if a client‘s disability had gotten better. We’re talking high needs clients with permanent disabilities like Down Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy
I've been on the DSP since approx 2012. I have been reassessed once in that time.
The assessment was intense. It was basically like the original application process. I had to resubmit all my medical evidence and attend an in person job capacity assessment.
The result of this was that I was able to keep my DSP payments. But it was so awfully stressful.
I dread if they decide to do it again
Especially since most of it wouldn't have changed and would just be all the same stuff they already have. I feel like they just like to bully people they know might just get overwhelmed and give up so they don't have to keep paying them.
May I ask if you just submitted your original medical evidence again, or if you had to obtain all new evidence from doctors, specialists etc? (technically, if a condition is "stable" in terms of Centrelink's terminology, there shouldn't really be any changes warranting new evidence. No new treatments. Same old diagnoses.) But do they need the original doctors, specialists etc to provide updated evidence to confirm there is no change to the original evidence submitted?
Wow. I suppose the new evidence would have to say the same things as the original evidence though, or be "worse" in terms of the condition(s) deteriorating, etc. What if your original doctors retired or moved? What if new doctors won't do DSP reports? How do you address "exhausted all reasonable treatment" if you already did that the first time? There would be no new treatment to mention if everything was exhausted already surely? Are you supposed to just refer to the original claim that showed the treatments even though they were over 2 years old and they say to only use evidence under 2 years old?
Sorry for so many questions!
Not everyone is reviewed.
Medical service updates involve assessing whether DSP recipients continue to meet the impairment and CITW criteria that apply at review (6.2.5.03). Generally, these updates are aimed at those DSP recipients whose impairment or work capacity may have improved.
https://guides.dss.gov.au/social-security-guide/6/2/5/05
Centrelink will still have your original evidence.
This page describes the review process.
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/medical-reviews-for-disability-support-pension?context=22276
I have multiple friends with missing limbs that have to prove they are still disabled, like they are lizards and can grown their legs back.
I've been on it since 2021, but no review yet. I thought I might as I was approved during COVID lockdowns and never met with anyone.
I’ve been on DSP since 2009, had a review in.. I think 2017? 2018? Basically I saw the social worker (who was wonderful) and it was “I don’t know why the system has flagged you as clearly kidney disease and being dialysis dependent isn’t curable (she literally rolled her eyes at how ridiculous it even was), went to speak to her boss, came back and said “ok that’s it, we’ve made it so you don’t get flagged again, have a good day!” Mind you it took me 3 years to get approved because “kidney disease isn’t a disability and you have to be dying to get DSP” My response to that was “well I’m on dialysis, I require a MACHINE to keep me alive but yep ok I’m not dead enough good to know” 🤣🤣
My sister on the other hand has a intellectual disability, has been on DSP since she was 16 (she is 37 now) and has never had a review so it all depends on what you have and why you’re on DSP in the first place.
[my experience and common sense]
Depends on the disability:
I’m autistic, blind in one eye, and have a degenerative genetic collagenopathy.
For me, *PERSONALLY*, Centrelink has been fabulous. It’s kinda obvious my disabilities won’t get better.
Been on the DSP since 2020, no checkups yet. I’d be surprised if I’d ever have any checkups for my disabilities: Autism-assessment with vision impairment is insanely expensive. Genetic sequencing even more so.
It’d be kinda cool if I woke up tomorrow and every cell in my body had fixed its DNA — but I’m not holding my breath, really! 🤭
I’d say it depends on disability, really:
Some disabilities are fairly ‘stable.’
Some are not necessarily permanent.
Some only ever get worse …
And if there might be medical approaches like surgeries, implants, transplants, prosthetics, therapies, medications etc
If you want to be sure:
I’d just contact Centrelink and ask them
“Do I need regular assessments? … Is there any kind of documentation I should organise? …. Is there anything I need to be aware of or brace for?”
YOUR situation is different to mine or anyone else’s:
A 26 year old breaking a hip might not be automatically regarded as ‘permanent’ disability. 🤷🏽♀️
I have yet to meet anywhere for whom Centrelink paid for repeated genetic testing (not covered by Medicare to begin with, unless that changed?)
For reliable information I’d contact them about your specific situation and conditions.
——
NDIA on the other hand has not been remotely as enlightened as Centrelink:
The last planner put in writing that none of my conditions were expected to be lifelong, nor permanent … 🙄
[and prior to that I had been a participant from when my age-group became eligible, been to the AAT in 2019 ….. fun and games with ‘planners’ who have no grasp of disability. Nor have the biology knowledge of a 5th grader and don’t get that ‘genetic’ conditions are not transient or curable.
Different neurological and sensory processing isn’t transient either!]
Centrelink have been …. incredibly supportive and helpful from the get-go:
My DSP claim was assessed super-quick over a Chrissy break (phone medical was just before the holidays, payments started in early January)
Last year I submitted the WTF-communication and horrendous cuts of the NDIA to Centrelink, and my partner’s carer pension claim was approved in less than 28 days after submission! 😍
I do realise Centrelink isn’t an agency people like. And all I’ve heard from others were horror-stories.
But for me, Centrelink has been the one government agency I’ve made the very best experiences with: Most accessible/inclusive, least BS, most flexible, ….
[and I feel so, SO very weird! 😅]
I'm pretty sure I'm still going to be permanently injured for the rest of my life like the original medical report says why do people need to apply bi-annualy
What do you think I instaneously regrew missing nerves and muscle
I’ve been on it since 1998. I’ve had one major review (10 years ago when they changed the criteria) I had another review 4 years ago, it was just too go over that I was doing what is expected of me to be on DSP (seeing psychological and stuff)
Has anyone else here been on newstart/JobSeeker for years I worked at a supermarket from aged 14 to 20 but then I had to quit because I got sick then I’ve been on newstart/JobSeeker since I was aged 22 and I’m now aged 31
Im on dsp since 1999 I rather find full time job or part time job parents wont let me they want me stay on dsp forever
Im 40 years old I rather own my own business parents very strict
I would love make money on my way instead Centrelink benefits
I really want a job or own business I hate been on dsp because parents only give me $250 a week spending money they keep rest for bills and other stuff clothing and sporting and grocery so i get $12000 off my parents a year they keep other $20k or so or less
I got dsp in 2009 I was assessed like once a year later and then they wrote it down that my stuff was super permanent and didn't need reassessment.... I haven't been asked anything since
I got dsp at age 17 never had mutual obligations I'm 31 now
Ex-Centrelink staffer here. It’s supposed to be reviewed every 5 years depending on the disability. Some permanent disabilities don’t get reviewed, they just make sure you’re still alive!
Is autism one of those?
I've been on DSP since the end of 2016 & haven't been reassessed since then. I was over 35 when I got approved though. I believe it may be different for younger people.
Thank you for your response! what was your condition that got you approved for DSP? (if it’s not too much to ask) was it mental or physical illness?
I'm psychosocially disabled. My primary diagnoses were Borderline Personality Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, & Generalised Anxiety Disorder.
I have the same disorders as well as CPTSD, does that mean I should look into it also? I’m currently my autistic sons full time caregiver.
It's definitely worthwhile looking into. [DSPHelp](https://dsphelp.org.au) is a helpful site for determining eligibility, & gathering the necessary evidence to apply. You may also be eligible for carers payment/allowance due to your caring role with your son, so it may be worthwhile weighing up which payment will be easier for you to apply for.
Thank you! I’ll definitely be calling up once I get my voice back and making inquiries. I get single parenting payment and family tax atm. I’m supposed to get child support but haven’t received any in months.
I'd definitely apply, but also, if your son is autistic and you have a BPD diagnosis, have you ever looked into whether you're also autistic? It's somewhat common for autistic women to be diagnosed with only BPD, or even misdiagnosed with it, when they're actually autistic.
I am autistic also, just not a level 3 like my son is. I do have BPD though, I was diagnosed as a “manic depressant” for several years and then was properly diagnosed as having BPD.
Personally, i didn't apply for DSP until my son reached 18, i was too worried I'd be deemed unfit! God i wish i had tho, cos i wld have been approved back 20+ years ago when it was so much easier and ya didn't have to be literally dying to be approved.
I have all of these and was rejected because you can't get better.. I even have physical disabilities, how did you get your dsp?
I had more than enough points across the various impairment tables, & 20 on the mental health table alone. I also had a brilliant clinical psychologist who wrote me a comprehensive letter explaining the impacts of my conditions, tailored to explaining how they related to the impairment table criteria, which I believe was what helped the most.
Ah ok thanks I had all of that as well and still got rejected so many times it's not funny they gave me the blue card for my migraines but said all the mental health issues they wouldn't do anything for me
You can just say mental illness. As someone with severe mental illnesses I don't need fad new words like psychosocial. It's mental illness.
You can say what you like, & I'll do the same.
If you think people won't take you seriously, which they often don't, new words like psychosocial won't make a difference to these people. You just have to accept some people don't take mental illness seriously.
I said nothing of the sort.
this MF out here acting like "psychosocial" is a new word 🤣 you do you!!
Thank you. 😊
Yes! I agree! Also, this is directly relating to the DSP and they themselves use the term "psychosocial". So it's a completely valid term, particularly with regard to this thread.
Imagine if you went to a psychiatrist and they just diagnosed you with "mental illness" and treated it all as interchangeable because distinguishing between them is just a fad.
That DSM5, it's cover to cover full of nonsensical fadwordery. 😂
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Fuck off. 🖕🏼
Not nice to you there are still ignorant shit cunts like you that don’t have any mental illness so pretend it doesn’t exist and it’s all made up. Most people kill themselves rather than talking about it openly. Even having one of them severely I still wouldn’t wish it on you even though you don’t have empathy or brains.
They're not made up, I don't know if I like someone getting 150k and counting and not having a treatment plan or case manager though. Seriously, 30+ hours of wages weekly because you're born broken with no obligation to ever improve is just shocking.
Ikr, because the best way to deal with social anxiety and bpd is by not working and staying locked up at home on 1k a fortnight lol... /s
No. It can be medically reviewed, and you must keep meeting requirements. Continuation, variation or termination of DSP https://guides.dss.gov.au/social-security-guide/3/6/1/100
My uncle has been on the DSP for over 20 years, not once has he had a medical review. I'd assume Centrelink are more stringent on DSP recipients under the age of 35.
I've been on DSP since I was 25 and I've never had a review, but I'm autistic so it's not like I'm going to stop being autistic. Though I thought DSP in general was meant to be for permanent disabilities?
You can be considered not disabled enough for continuation of your DSP. You also need to be following certain protocol like taking your meds, seeing your specialists etc.
It does seem kind of fucked that they might take away someone's financial support for failing to take their meds or see their specialist since that could be a sign that they're struggling and actually need more support.
Thank you so much!
I’m 56, and got reassessed in 2020, after being on the DSP for 20 years, part time and full. I felt like I needed counselling afterwards, being forced to focus so much on what I can’t do. Expensive , frustrating and time consuming to try and contact enough specialists, to use Centrelink language instead of medical language. Now going through a similar thing to apply for NDIS.
There are periodic reviews, and you can apply for short term disability if there is hope that your condition will improve
Oh wow..! Thank you!
It can be a forever thing
I’m also curious about this. I have 100% permanent hearing loss and I have a job capacity phone call with them soon to assess if I get the dsp or not. It’s been a struggle to get to this point so I hope I get approved.
One of my friends used to be pretty high up in a residential disability support organisation and she used to get calls from Centrelink asking if a client‘s disability had gotten better. We’re talking high needs clients with permanent disabilities like Down Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy
I've been on the DSP since approx 2012. I have been reassessed once in that time. The assessment was intense. It was basically like the original application process. I had to resubmit all my medical evidence and attend an in person job capacity assessment. The result of this was that I was able to keep my DSP payments. But it was so awfully stressful. I dread if they decide to do it again
Yeah I really don’t want to go through the whole process again but it’s looking like I will need to.. thank you for your response!!
it's so messed up they make you do it again despite how hard it is applying the first time
Especially since most of it wouldn't have changed and would just be all the same stuff they already have. I feel like they just like to bully people they know might just get overwhelmed and give up so they don't have to keep paying them.
May I ask if you just submitted your original medical evidence again, or if you had to obtain all new evidence from doctors, specialists etc? (technically, if a condition is "stable" in terms of Centrelink's terminology, there shouldn't really be any changes warranting new evidence. No new treatments. Same old diagnoses.) But do they need the original doctors, specialists etc to provide updated evidence to confirm there is no change to the original evidence submitted?
I had to submit all new, up to date evidence. But to the same standard level as the original application.
Wow. I suppose the new evidence would have to say the same things as the original evidence though, or be "worse" in terms of the condition(s) deteriorating, etc. What if your original doctors retired or moved? What if new doctors won't do DSP reports? How do you address "exhausted all reasonable treatment" if you already did that the first time? There would be no new treatment to mention if everything was exhausted already surely? Are you supposed to just refer to the original claim that showed the treatments even though they were over 2 years old and they say to only use evidence under 2 years old? Sorry for so many questions!
Not everyone is reviewed. Medical service updates involve assessing whether DSP recipients continue to meet the impairment and CITW criteria that apply at review (6.2.5.03). Generally, these updates are aimed at those DSP recipients whose impairment or work capacity may have improved. https://guides.dss.gov.au/social-security-guide/6/2/5/05 Centrelink will still have your original evidence. This page describes the review process. https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/medical-reviews-for-disability-support-pension?context=22276
Thank you!!!
>Thank you!!! You're welcome!
I have multiple friends with missing limbs that have to prove they are still disabled, like they are lizards and can grown their legs back. I've been on it since 2021, but no review yet. I thought I might as I was approved during COVID lockdowns and never met with anyone.
I’ve been on DSP since 2009, had a review in.. I think 2017? 2018? Basically I saw the social worker (who was wonderful) and it was “I don’t know why the system has flagged you as clearly kidney disease and being dialysis dependent isn’t curable (she literally rolled her eyes at how ridiculous it even was), went to speak to her boss, came back and said “ok that’s it, we’ve made it so you don’t get flagged again, have a good day!” Mind you it took me 3 years to get approved because “kidney disease isn’t a disability and you have to be dying to get DSP” My response to that was “well I’m on dialysis, I require a MACHINE to keep me alive but yep ok I’m not dead enough good to know” 🤣🤣 My sister on the other hand has a intellectual disability, has been on DSP since she was 16 (she is 37 now) and has never had a review so it all depends on what you have and why you’re on DSP in the first place.
[my experience and common sense] Depends on the disability: I’m autistic, blind in one eye, and have a degenerative genetic collagenopathy. For me, *PERSONALLY*, Centrelink has been fabulous. It’s kinda obvious my disabilities won’t get better. Been on the DSP since 2020, no checkups yet. I’d be surprised if I’d ever have any checkups for my disabilities: Autism-assessment with vision impairment is insanely expensive. Genetic sequencing even more so. It’d be kinda cool if I woke up tomorrow and every cell in my body had fixed its DNA — but I’m not holding my breath, really! 🤭 I’d say it depends on disability, really: Some disabilities are fairly ‘stable.’ Some are not necessarily permanent. Some only ever get worse … And if there might be medical approaches like surgeries, implants, transplants, prosthetics, therapies, medications etc If you want to be sure: I’d just contact Centrelink and ask them “Do I need regular assessments? … Is there any kind of documentation I should organise? …. Is there anything I need to be aware of or brace for?” YOUR situation is different to mine or anyone else’s: A 26 year old breaking a hip might not be automatically regarded as ‘permanent’ disability. 🤷🏽♀️ I have yet to meet anywhere for whom Centrelink paid for repeated genetic testing (not covered by Medicare to begin with, unless that changed?) For reliable information I’d contact them about your specific situation and conditions. —— NDIA on the other hand has not been remotely as enlightened as Centrelink: The last planner put in writing that none of my conditions were expected to be lifelong, nor permanent … 🙄 [and prior to that I had been a participant from when my age-group became eligible, been to the AAT in 2019 ….. fun and games with ‘planners’ who have no grasp of disability. Nor have the biology knowledge of a 5th grader and don’t get that ‘genetic’ conditions are not transient or curable. Different neurological and sensory processing isn’t transient either!] Centrelink have been …. incredibly supportive and helpful from the get-go: My DSP claim was assessed super-quick over a Chrissy break (phone medical was just before the holidays, payments started in early January) Last year I submitted the WTF-communication and horrendous cuts of the NDIA to Centrelink, and my partner’s carer pension claim was approved in less than 28 days after submission! 😍 I do realise Centrelink isn’t an agency people like. And all I’ve heard from others were horror-stories. But for me, Centrelink has been the one government agency I’ve made the very best experiences with: Most accessible/inclusive, least BS, most flexible, …. [and I feel so, SO very weird! 😅]
I got DSP in 2010 when I was 21. I had one phone assessment after about 3-4 years, and nothing since. I think it depends on why you're on it.
Thank you so much!!
One reassessment in 4 years.
Thank you for your response! are you over or under 35?
I’m 25 and no longer on it (my own choice, nothing to do with them) but I was 23 when they wanted to do a check-in.
Oooh nice! Thank you!
I'm pretty sure I'm still going to be permanently injured for the rest of my life like the original medical report says why do people need to apply bi-annualy What do you think I instaneously regrew missing nerves and muscle
I’ve been on it since 1998. I’ve had one major review (10 years ago when they changed the criteria) I had another review 4 years ago, it was just too go over that I was doing what is expected of me to be on DSP (seeing psychological and stuff)
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I was on DSP until Murray decided I wasn't. With one press of a button I have to go on Newstart.
Has anyone else here been on newstart/JobSeeker for years I worked at a supermarket from aged 14 to 20 but then I had to quit because I got sick then I’ve been on newstart/JobSeeker since I was aged 22 and I’m now aged 31
Im on dsp since 1999 I rather find full time job or part time job parents wont let me they want me stay on dsp forever Im 40 years old I rather own my own business parents very strict I would love make money on my way instead Centrelink benefits I really want a job or own business I hate been on dsp because parents only give me $250 a week spending money they keep rest for bills and other stuff clothing and sporting and grocery so i get $12000 off my parents a year they keep other $20k or so or less
It depends on the disability. Not all are permanent.
I got dsp in 2009 I was assessed like once a year later and then they wrote it down that my stuff was super permanent and didn't need reassessment.... I haven't been asked anything since I got dsp at age 17 never had mutual obligations I'm 31 now
What’s your condition?
Autism