Getting Started
BASICS
One Step at a Time
At Disability Support Pension Australia Applications and Appeals, we are dedicated to stepping up our efforts in addressing the issues surrounding medical evidence requirements for eligibility. Please work your way through the information in this section to understand the process, where you fit in, and if you are severe enough. Then use the documents in the next section (Collecting Evidence) to get the necessary evidence for the best chance of success.
PROGRAM OF SUPPORT REQUIREMENTS
This is a factsheet about the Program of Support (POS) requirements. The c’link process is that if you are assessed as having 20 points over multiple tables, you must then do POS for 18 months before being able to apply again and qualify; unless you can get exited from the POS solely due to your condition. We try to encourage people to meet these criteria prior to lodging a claim if they feel it might be relevant to their situation. If you feel this may be relevant to you, we recommend registering with a DES for a POS prior to lodging your claim for DSP. Please read the factsheet and provide it and the form to your DES provider to negotiate further. Don’t let them tell you they can’t exit you as its simply not true. It can however be more difficult if you have an assessed work capacity of over 8 hours per week. Please note that exemptions don’t count toward your participation.
THE TABLES
The Legislation
The Tables are what assessors use to determine if you meet the medical eligibility requirements. They are the bottom line, so to speak. They are used to allocate a points rating for the severity of functional impairments. Consider them your bible for navigating your medical eligibility. Please note that conditions must first be accepted as formally diagnosed, reasonably treated, and permanent before being allocated a table rating.
MANIFEST ELIGIBILITY
There are certain conditions that are recognised to be automatic eligibility and are therefore fast-tracked for approval. Where sufficient information is contained in the evidence provided by the claimant, a claim can be determined without the need for further assessment.
DSP may only be granted without the need for further assessment in the following LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.
Manifest grants may only be made where a person has:
- a terminal illness (life expectancy of less than 2 years with significantly reduced work capacity during this period),
- permanent blindness (meets the test for permanent blindness for social security purposes),
- an intellectual disability where medical evidence clearly indicates an IQ of less than 70,
- an assessment indicating that they require nursing home level care (see note below),
- category 4 HIV/AIDS, or
- is in receipt of a DVA disability pension at special rate (totally and permanently incapacitated (TPI)).
Overwhelmed Already?
Lets begin here…….
If you have multiple conditions please use this conditions checker.