I am writing this as a blog as it is probably going to be fairly long. I have a bit to say. I apologise if the examples concentrate a lot on epilepsy. That's what I have so it's what I know most about. Please ask me if you need specific examples for yourself.
It is quite obvious that the government has made getting the DSP deliberately difficult. It took me three attempts and I have several university qualifications. It isn't that I don't deserve it, it's that the paperwork and interview process is really complicated.
This blog is intended to help people who need DSP to get through the process. It contains tips and lessons I have learned from going through the process myself. We have recently seen people who have seizures in wheelchairs be denied. It is not for bludgers to screw the system.
First of all download the Guide and Impairment Tables that Centrelink use for assessment. These are located http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2011L02716 and http://guides.dss.gov.au/guide-social-security-law/1/1/i/10
These are quite long documents but it's extremely important that you fit the criteria.
Search for the ailment that most applies to you. You need a severe or 20 points in one area. You CANNOT make up the points by having 10 in one and 10 in another. In the severe catagory you MUST tick every box to be eligible. For example if you are looking at the consciousness catagory for seizures and you say you can drive you are immediately ineligible.
You can, if you like write notes on how you fit each criteria. I did. Some medication I am on makes me suffer from memory lapses so note taking is always good.
Include EVERYTHING. If your medication has side effects this is important too.
Perhaps bring the criteria to a Doctor. You dont need to say that it is for DSP, but it can help in defining terms and thinking of things you might not have. For example we tend to think of consciousness as either an on or off thing. Either you are concious or unconscious. But "altered consciousness" to someone with epilepsy or a similar condition can mean a dazed state or staring into space. (and the Doctor can help you put this into more medical terms.)
Doctors. It is really important that you know what goes into your medical report. Do not just leave the report with a doctor or specialist to fill in. Make a long appointment and sit with them going through it question by question with the criteria for assessment in mind. Don't be afraid of asking them to use the same language as Centrelink use. That just makes it easier for Centrelink. And make sure that the Doctor writes so that it can be understood.
Overwhelm them with medical evidence. Do not just use the standard form but bring in every test and every report you can lay your hands on. They might not use it all but you might be surprised what is useful. They took a copy of my epilepsy diary to prove the number of seizures I was having a week. And bring all this to the Job Capacity Interview.
The job capacity interview is where they REALLY assess you. Bring in your notes on the criteria. Do NOT assume that your assessor knows anything about the condition you have. Don't be afraid of repeating anything in your medical reports. They might not have entirety read it.
I cannot stress enough how important the job capacity interview is. And remember normally people who have disabilities tend to downplay the effect that it has on everyday life. This is NOT the time for that. It is just as important to talk about the effect your condition has normal everyday activities as it is to talk about the effect it would have on your ability to work.
If you believe any information is inaccurate or something should be added please contact me.
