I'm so angry at the injustice

[alexander*beetle]

My friend’s daughter, 22yrs old, has epilepsy. She is on medication and under specialists but sometimes she still has seizures. She is currently on Newstart and looking for work but not having much luck because of the seizure issue. Two weeks ago she had an appointment for a job seeker interview. At 8.30am she had a seizure and at 10.00am, after the ambulance left, her sister phoned Centrelink to explain what happened and why she couldn’t attend. It usually takes her a few days to be mobile enough to get to the doctors to get a certificate. So, on the Friday she went to the docs and took the certificate in the day after the Monday public holiday.

Consequently, even though she has a certificate and it is noted on her file that she suffers from epilepsy, she was told that as a result of her not attending the initial interview, she must undertake 20 hours of community service. No amount of explaining and proof meant anything. They have, in their twisted wisdom, decided that she is not eligible for sickness benefits because the seizures are not constant. But when she has them is not able to do anything for a week or more because of the impact they have on her.

She started the community work on Monday and found out she was working with a whole lot of court ordered people who had been charged with offences and this was their punishment. Consequently, she is now deeply depressed and feeling hopeless.

What on earth is going on here. I personally know of someone with 2 adult children who are both drug addicts and yet they don’t even have to report to Centrelink. They automatially get their sickness benefits.

I’m so angry for this young woman’s situation. It pains me to see her so distressed and all because someone deigns to think it is ok to punish a person for being unwell.

[freakiness]

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@alexander*beetle wrote:
Will certainly encourage her to appeal. Problem is she is already doing the community service work and is so depressed she is almost incoherent. Not speaking and coming home going to her room and crying. I don't know if she is up to the fight with them.

I've offered to be her support but she is struggling to deal with it all at the moment. The privacy thing is the real issue. I can't intervene on her behalf and her family is just not capable at the moment. All round it's just too sad.

However, I'm just not going to let this stand. It's just not on.

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They can designate you as a contact person with Centrelink to remove some stress.

[**meep**]

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@alexander*beetle wrote:
She's got a medical certificate and they are not acknowledging it.

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That does seem strange.  Do you know what was written on the certificate?

[**meep**]

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@freakiness wrote:

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@alexander*beetle wrote:
Will certainly encourage her to appeal. Problem is she is already doing the community service work and is so depressed she is almost incoherent. Not speaking and coming home going to her room and crying. I don't know if she is up to the fight with them.

I've offered to be her support but she is struggling to deal with it all at the moment. The privacy thing is the real issue. I can't intervene on her behalf and her family is just not capable at the moment. All round it's just too sad.

However, I'm just not going to let this stand. It's just not on.

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They can designate you as a contact person with Centrelink to remove some stress.

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Yes, she can authorise someone to act on her behalf.

[ptommo1959]

get up them. Use the ambulance call reference number as evidence. It will also verify the time   http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/information/feedback-complaints  How to make a complaint or give us feedback

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[mugssy65]

I don't have any advice just some sympathy and a "go get girl!!!"

[the_hawk*]

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@alexander*beetle wrote:
She's got a medical certificate and they are not acknowledging it.

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I wasnt refering to the orignal certificate, I am saying get a new one for stress or what ever till its sorted out with the help of a councelor

[twinkles**stars]

I do hope she gets it sorted out quickly.....and finds someo of capable knowledge at CL

my daughter was ordered to attend a meeting by CL ....they rang and asked why she.missed the appointment.....she gave birth the day before! ......had explained for 4 weeks she had a job to go back to and was not seeking newstart. Fools!

[mugssy65]

Yep my OH missed his first interview with CL once, we got a letter stating that we would now be cut off the unemployment benefit, he'd started work that day and only singed on because that was the only way to get access to the job network! Lol

[azureline**]

Her doctor needs to fill in her paperwork a little better.

[buzzlightyearsgirlfriend]

It sounds like your friend's daughter met the Centrelink work experience kid or a staff member with a stick up their....

No-one can be penalised for a serious health incident.

Lodge an appeal and make an appointment with a Centrelink counsellor ASAP.

One of my friend's daughter's has a very serious seizure disorder (grand mal seizures, or whatever they call them these days, a few times a week) and rightfully receives a disability pension. I can't imagine my friend's daughter being forced to seek work or do community work or even work! I'd be outraged too.

Go get 'em!