A complex and “humiliating” application process is making it overly difficult for people to access the Disability Support Pension, forcing them into poverty and mutual obligations requirements that inflict psychological harm, federal politicians have heard.
A Senate committee looking into the purpose, intent and adequacy of the DSP on Monday heard a range of longstanding concerns from people with disability and advocacy groups that the system is failing those who need it the most.
Speakers said people who should be eligible for the DSP are often shunted onto much lower payments with job-seeking requirements, applicants have to “jump through hoops” to get support, the process does not “understand” certain conditions, and eligibility requirements are too bureaucratic and focused on the medical model of disability.
Read full story... (off-site)- Topics:
- Case study, Centrelink
- Author:
- Evan Young
- Source:
- SBS News
- Date published:
- Mon 6th Sep, 2021