Centrelink stands by decision to deny disability payments to shark attack victim

ABC News
Updated 12 May 2017.


The government department that runs Centrelink has backed a decision to deny disability payments to a man who lost his leg in a shark attack, saying he should complete rehabilitation and get a prosthesis fitted before being considered.   

Cairns spearfisherman Glenn Dickson had his leg amputated in February after he was bitten by a bull shark near Hinchinbrook Island, but was knocked back from receiving disability support because his impairment was not deemed severe enough.

"The shark hit my leg like a chainsaw," Mr Dickson said.

    "It swallowed my whole leg and had chomped and shredded all around my upper thigh, completely to the bone."

He has spent the last three months recovering and applied to Centrelink for the disability support pension (DSP).

Mr Dickson said he could not currently work in his occupation as a boilermaker and his family was experiencing financial uncertainty as they approached the birth of their third child.

"It's a lot harder for my partner. She now has to look after me," Mr Dickson said.
Department tells man to get rehab, prosthetic leg

In a statement, Department of Human Services general manager Hank Jongen said the department had reviewed its decision to reject Mr Dickson's application.   

"The department can confirm a review has shown this matter was handled appropriately and in accordance with legislation," he said.


Mr Jongen said eligibility for the DSP was "not based on the diagnosis of a condition or amputation alone" and medical conditions must be "fully diagnosed, treated and stabilised" before the department's health professionals can make an assessment.

He added that a person needed to prove that treatment would not result in significant functional improvement within two years.

"For people who have had an amputation, it is reasonable to expect that having a prosthesis fitted and participating in rehabilitation will result in significant functional improvements in the next two years, and those improvements will allow them to undertake some kind of work," he said.

A Centrelink letter sent to Mr Dickson last month said he was deemed ineligible for the pension because he did not have "an impairment rating of 20 points or more".

"In making this decision we took into account all available medical evidence and other relevant information about your circumstances," the letter stated.

Mr Dickson said he was receiving Newstart — the welfare payment for jobseekers — however he would prefer to be on the higher payment DSP.

"When you lose your leg, you'll think you're just going to get it, that's a disability," he said.

Mr Dickson may be eligible for sickness allowance, another welfare payment for people who temporarily cannot work or study because of an injury, illness or disability.
Centrelink becoming 'increasingly punitive', MP says

Cairns MP Rob Pyne is a quadriplegic and a strong advocate for people with disabilities.
Cairns MP Rob Pyne speaking to ABC Radio in Cairns
Cairns MP Rob Pyne says Mr Dickson's case is an example of why law changes are needed.

He believes Centrelink is becoming "increasingly punitive" in its approach to approving welfare payments for people with disabilities.   

"I've sat with the mum of a young lad who had a stroke and been non-verbal and not even able to communicate," he said.

"Yet [he was] denied the disability support pension because the doctors wouldn't sign something to say he'd never recover.   

Good posts WhiteKnight,

The Govt. is quick to grab peoples tax money while they are working but
when they become sick they don't want to know you.

The taxes we pay should act as some kind of insurance that we will have protection
when falling ill or disabled or unemployed however it's not the case.

Getting money out of Centerlink is like getting blood out of stone.

whiteknight wrote on Feb 25^th, 2018 at 7:56am:


The disability pension is for those who have medical evidence showing they cannot work for more than 15 hours per week in any job and no prospects of ever being able to work for more than 15 hours per week.

They were right in denying this person a DSP for losing a leg, losing a leg doesn't mean you are incapable of working again.

This guy lost more limbs due to shark attack he didn't apply for the DSP, he didn't go back to his old job he took on a new job.
http://pauldegelder.com/

Baronvonrort wrote on Feb 25^th, 2018 at 8:42am:



You can have medical evidence but Centrelink
won't follow it - even though it could be from a surgeon or many doctors.
They have their own processes and "doctors".
Centrelink goes against expert advice.
It's time Centrelink was taken to court in a massive class action by
Slater and Gordon or some other legal firm.

The class action could be for an amount as high as $10 billion -
that's about the amount of money that Centrelink
has ripped off taxpayers who fell on hard times.

Yes Bobby I think you are right, we need a class action.   

Baronvonrort wrote on Feb 25^th, 2018 at 9:03am:



The Disability pension is for those who are incapable of working
due to medical reasons.
Some of those reasons may be temporary and others could be long term.

You would be badly mistaken if you believed this government would give a pension to anyone just because they were disabled.

If they were to do this where would they get the money for wealthfare and tax cuts for big business ?

Actually tightening the disability criteria is one of the means that they actually did use to raise money for big business tax cuts. That is a fact this is exactly where this guys pension went.

Bobby. wrote on Feb 25^th, 2018 at 9:15am:


It would end up in the high or supreme court which is stacked with Liberal yes-men and fizzle out.

I'm not saying you're wrong, Centrelink needs a shake up, but a class action wouldn't work.

Dr Mengele wrote on Feb 25^th, 2018 at 9:19am:



I reckon there would be a good case because Centrelink ignores
evidence from medical specialists and doctors.

Alinta wrote on Feb 25^th, 2018 at 9:41am:



But there needs to be a class action - imagine if 1 million people signed up?

Lets get this in perspective.
He is being supported by the taxpayer, as he should be.

Long term this decision is best for him as long term the best thing for him is to focus on rehab and returning to work full time.

Him being put for life on a DSP is bad for him, and for taxpayers.

He's a young fit guy, he'll be right. Even he says he won't let it effect his life.

"I'm not going to let this tragic incident change my life to the effect I don't want to get back into the ocean," he said

Gordon wrote on Feb 25^th, 2018 at 10:32am:



he is only asking for help in the short term ..


he cant do his original trade he has to start again...

he needs help NOW... and hes not asking for it for life.

cods wrote on Feb 25^th, 2018 at 12:35pm:


He's getting help NOW.  He's getting the dole.

Isn't it hard to get someone off DSP once their on?

Bobby. wrote on Feb 25^th, 2018 at 8:30am:


Does Bobby qualify for frequent flyer points at Centrelink like denizen Valkie?

whiteknight wrote on Feb 25^th, 2018 at 9:19am:



Many people are on DSP merely for being fat, lazy and stupid, all of which are not disabilities.

whiteknight wrote on Feb 25^th, 2018 at 9:19am:


Those who cannot qualify for a disability pension aren't forced to accept the dole they can get a job.

Losing a leg doesn't stop you from working I have a friend who cannot walk she is a paraplegic and she works full time.

Those on the DSP are judged to never be able to work again so stop comparing what they get to the dole which is for people who can work again.

The minimum wage is over $18 per hour if you want more money than the dole get a job.

Gordon wrote on Feb 25^th, 2018 at 1:31pm:



of course it isnt....if he arrived here on a boat  he would have no problems...it makes me sick....he has probably paid his dues in income tax....... he does have one leg  he does have to recover  and from what I read he is doing his best .. but in the mean time  he needs HELP...

cods wrote on Feb 25^th, 2018 at 4:48pm:


But Cods, he's being helped with new start and a sick dispensation so he doesn't have to hope around looking for work

Gordon wrote on Feb 25^th, 2018 at 1:31pm:


Reviewed every two years..... not hard at all... but the theory is that if they have a little more during those two years, it may help in rehabilitation etc. 

I think you can only really get the DSP AFTER you are on medical certificate for >2 years usually.  So if his leg just got bitten off, then he wont be eligible.   He may have to wait.  To survive these types of attacks, the survivors usually also suffers from PTSD, and chronic pains.  The PTSD may not show up initially, but slowly bit by bit, it would creep back into his mind.   It always does. 

Gordon wrote on Feb 25^th, 2018 at 4:55pm:


From what I can see that isnt enough to pay rent.

Spot

Why, when i am not logged in, i can see a reply to my post by baron? When I log in it isnt here. Log out again and there it is. Whats going on?

Baron - im just saying that if its not enough to pay rent then its not enough to live on much less pay medical expenses.

Spot

Sir Spot of Borg wrote on Feb 26^th, 2018 at 4:38pm:



not enough to pay rent  -

yes - and we wonder why burglaries and other crimes are so high at the moment.

The unemployed are being forced to commit crimes in order to survive.

Your home needs to be a fortress these days -
unfortunately mine isn't.
My old apartment was a fortress after a serious burglary.