Navigating a complex system such as Centrelink can cause significant distress. This is especially true for clients experiencing multiple issues and events simultaneously and for those who have a history of trauma. Additionally, accessing social security benefits often occurs during periods of significant change and disruption in a person’s life.
We commonly assist clients who are referred to us by other helping professionals such as financial counsellors, social workers and disability advocates through our Worker Help Line, who have been unable to continue with the Centrelink application process, or whose application to Centrelink has been rejected.
This referral service supports access to justice for vulnerable clients while they retain the support of their worker if they choose. SSRV provides legal advice, and in some cases, can provide representation for the client and advocate directly to Centrelink on their behalf. The client benefits from the ongoing expertise and support of their worker working alongside the SSRV lawyer to provide an integrated service for clients.
Susanna’s story
Susanna applied for the Disability Support Pension (DSP) with the assistance of her social worker. Unfortunately, her application was rejected on account of her condition/s not being diagnosed, reasonably treated, and stabilised. Susanna’s Social Worker contacted SSRV via the Worker Helpline to ask for assistance with applying for an internal review of the decision by an Authorised Review Officer (ARO).
Susanna had been diagnosed with chronic and complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Her symptoms severely impact her capacity to engage with work and study. The key issue for Susanna’s DSP application was whether her conditions were fully treated and stabilised. Centrelink had previously decided her conditions did not meet this criteria because she had not engaged in some forms of treatment and therapy.
The SSRV lawyer gave Susanna and her social worker initial advice about the DSP eligibility criteria and Susanna’s options for making a new DSP application or seeking an internal review of the rejection decision.
During the appointment, the SSRV lawyer identified that Susanna’s past trauma and background made communicating with Centrelink challenging for her, and because of the risk of family violence and homelessness, there was a real urgency to her matter.
The SSRV lawyer reviewed Susanna’s medical documents and with her consent, the SSRV lawyer assisted Susanna and her social worker to gather further medical evidence. The SSRV lawyer wrote to Susanna’s treating health professionals, setting out exactly what information was required to address the reasons Centrelink had rejected her DSP application.
With Susann’s consent, the SSRV lawyer then wrote to Centrelink to lodge an internal review application of the DSP rejection, and submitted supporting letters from Susanna’s consulting psychiatrist, GP, and SSRV.
The internal review was successful and Susanna’s DSP application was approved. The internal review officer decided that the original decision to reject was incorrect, and that Susanna’s conditions were in fact fully treated and stabilised. This was because Susanna’s treating health professionals were able to specifically address the reasons why Centrelink had initially rejected Susanna’s DSP application.
Susanna’s social worker was instrumental in securing this result for her. She helped Susanna’s treating health professionals work together with the SSRV lawyer. The social worker also provided invaluable moral support to Susanna throughout with what was a stressful process for her.
During the review process Susanna noted that she felt like she couldn’t breathe, and following a successful outcome, she said she feels like a weight has been lifted off her shoulders. She was so relieved to have it all behind her and achieve this result. It was a great outcome and demonstrates how effective integrated service provision is for our clients.
The SSRV Worker Help Line lawyers work collaboratively professionals such as financial counsellors, social workers and disability advocates through our Worker Help Line, offering free specialist information on social security law and Centrelink to workers. You can call the worker helpline on 0419 793 652 for support when you are working with a client, or to enquiry about making a referral.