Come on Centrelink can't you get anything right

[newstart2380]

Story of young man with MS on a Current Affair, can not get a disability pension.

[bella_again]

I agree with you katydidthat it seems crazy 😞 My 18 yo has access to youth disability payment but she gets hers under the IQ rule and genetic disability rule which is apparently on their list.  She did not have to go through the job capacity assessment. My second daughter is one iq point under at present, so we may have to go through that process for her if C/L decide she needs re-assessment.

i don't understand why the gentleman in the story can't have access to the pension as he genuinely can't do every day things easily at all.  I just have to wonder if someone along the line entered the wrong info in the computer or the doctor ticked the wrong box.

[katydidthat]

There was a case going back a few years, where a young man had cancer,  was in a wheelchair, couldn't walk, was undergoing treatment ... he was declined by Clink for any payment.  He went to show them how disabled he was ... and I think (this really is a while back), he couldn't even access the Clink office as it wasn't wheelchair friendly.  

Anyway ... lots of media attention later and he is suddenly approved.  

[newstart2380]

I hate it when you walk into CLink to see a MCare person to process a MC refund and you HAVE to give a receptionist your name and say why you are there.

Why can't I just sit in the appropriate area and wait for my turn as I did when Medicare had its own separate office building. I always tell the receptionist my name is Smith.

[katydidthat]

I went to Centrelink and gave my name (somewhat similar to Smith, so I'll use that).  I was told to "Come this way, Smith".  

Social Security is inefficient, stupid, inconsistent.  It's taken $160+ per fortnight away from single parents this year ... in a time of rising rents, and higher electricity bills.  The government says it's to get people to look harder for work ... but in some cases, there IS NO WORK.  In other cases, there is no work available for certain members of society ... like older people, or those with few qualifications, or those whose experience has become obsolete.  

With regard to the 457 visas ... I met an English hairdresser ... she'd come out here on a 457 visa, and was planning to return to the UK and then come back here again for more work ... wouldn't it be easier for the government to fund hairdressing courses HERE through TAFE and have unemployed Australians subsidised to take this course and then take the jobs?  

[nohousework]

At our Medicare office within Centrelink there is a receipt machine which gives you your number, just like in the old Medicare offices. I haven't had to talk to a receptionist.

[happyroo_bunji]

Unfortunately it's C/L 's sandpit, and if we want thier money we havetoplay by thier rules.

[jean2579]

Has anyone noticed the signs for the new Centrelink benefit cards appearing in the past weeks. I have seen them in the two major supermarkets here. These are the cards where, I think, that part of a persons benefit is quarantined for certain items. I really hope that no smart supermarket operator starts a green card checkout only.

[izabsmiling]

NS, Cases like this show how very different Governing a Country and handling Tax payer money  

 is to running a business .

Businesses are about 'things' goods and services and focus on profit and loss.

The needs of the case in the OP do not change according to the budget

[newstart2380]

NS, Cases like this show how very different Governing a Country and handling Tax payer money  

 is to running a business .

Businesses are about 'things' goods and services and focus on profit and loss.

The needs of the case in the OP do not change according to the budget

But it is sad, the poor man could hardly walk and he and his family desperately need assistance as his MS will only get worse and there is NO cure so no chance of recovery or even the resemblence of a normal life.

[izabsmiling]

I agree that it is sad NS. I see those who focus more on a need for budget surplus than meeting the needs of Australians in need as the enemy to people such as the man in the OP.