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  • Disability Support Pension: Information Guide

Struggling to access the Disability Support Pension?


For those who are struggling to access the pension, we've decided to share our in-depth explainer video that discusses the criteria involved to meet the eligibility requirements for the Disability Support Pension. 


We're certain you'll find this information page helpful with assisting you in the application process. 

HOW DO CENTRELINK ASSESS YOUR ELIGIBILITY?

There are many Centrelink payment types, and generally, there is an eligibility criteria for the payment you may be eligible for. However, Centrelink also assesses whether you have adequate funds to support yourself. This can be in a form savings or income you regularly receive. Most of the payment types attract this type of assessment, and this is called “means testing”.

Disability Support Pension Eligibility Criteria

Centrelink use key eligibility points for Disability Support Pension applications to be successful. For an individual to succeed in their application for the pension, they must meet the non-medical and medical rules.

Continue Reading

Non-medical rules

To meet the non-medical rules, Centrelink will review your financial situation through means testing, your residency and your age.

Medical rules

To meet the medical rules, Centrelink will assess a variety of criteria. Find out more below.

Non-medical rules

Firstly, you must meet the non-medical criteria. This involves:

Reviewing your financial situation through means testing;

Residency; AND 

Age

Means Testing


Do you have the means to support yourself? This is the question Centrelink asks to assess your eligibility. Many people think they have too much money, so they never apply. In this section, you will learn how much money you can have for each type of payment.

There are three broad types of payments and means testing is different for each.


An Allowance: This type is generally not means tested.

A Pension: This type has a more generous threshold for how much assets and income one can have before have a reduced payment or ineligible.

A Payment: This type has a less generous threshold of how much assets and income one can have before having a reduced payment or ineligible.


The Department of Human Services website has thresholds for Income Test for pensions which can be found here and also for the Asset Test which can be found here.
centrelink

Which Income is not Assessable?

Broadly speaking, income you receive is assessable except:


- Centrelink payments

- Commonwealth Rental Subsidy Scheme

- Child Support (however may still affect Family Tax Benefits)

house-asset

Which Asset is not Assessable?

Broadly speaking, your assets are assessable as financial assets except:

- Your superannuation account (if you are under 65) and have not moved it to an income stream,

- Your Home.

- NDIS funding

- Special Disability Trust (special rules apply)

- Aids for people with disability

KEY ELIGIBILITY POINTS FOR THE DISABILITY SUPPORT PENSION

  1. Fully Diagnosed, Fully Treated and Fully Stabilised
  2. Your condition is likely to result in you being unable to work more than 15 hours a week in the next 2 years.
  3. You meet the required impairment rating.
  4. Participate in a "Program of Support"
  5. Meet the Asset and Income tests
  6. Meet the Residency test

If you have an illness or disability, and you meet the means testing eligibility as outlined, a Job Capacity Assessment is processed.


Centrelink will also measure the level of impairment to determine if you are eligible for the Disability Support Pension. The currents rules and tables can be found here.


It is very possible for symptoms to vary on different days or they may reoccur and disappear. For this reason, if you are still struggling to understand whether you may be eligible for a DSP claim, get in touch with us on 1300 12 44 99.

MEANS TESTING

Do you have the means to support yourself? This is the question Centrelink asks to assess your eligibility. Many people think they have too much money, so they never apply. In this section, you will learn how much money you can have for each type of payment.

There are three broad types of payments and means testing is different for each.


An Allowance: This type is generally not means tested.


A Pension: This type has a more generous threshold for how much assets and income one can have before have a reduced payment or ineligible.


A Payment: This type has a less generous threshold of how much assets and income one can have before having a reduced payment or ineligible.


The Department of Human Services website has thresholds for Income Test for pensions which can be found here and also for the Asset Test which can be found here



centrelink

Which Income is not Assessable?

Broadly speaking, income you receive is assessable except:


Centrelink payments

Commonwealth Rental Subsidy Scheme

Child Support (however may still affect Family Tax Benefits)

Read More
house-asset

Which Asset is not Assessable?

Broadly speaking, your assets are assessable as financial assets except:

- Your superannuation account (if you are under 65) and have not moved it to an income stream,

- Your Home.

- NDIS funding

- Special Disability Trust (special rules apply)

- Aids for people with disability

Read More

DISABILITY SUPPORT PENSION CRITERIA

FULLY DIAGNOSED

To decide if your condition is fully diagnosed, we assess if:
  • A qualified medical professional has examined you

You have medical evidence for your condition

FULLY TREATED

    To decide if your condition is fully managed/treated, we assess if:

    • You have received treatment or rehabilitation
    • Treatment will continue or you have a medical plan for the next 2 years

      FULLY STABILISED

      To decide if your condition is fully stabilised, we assess if:

      • Treatment will help you work 15 hours or more a week in the next 2 years

      OR

      • There are medical or other reasons why you cannot receive treatment

      Before you apply, we recommend you check other eligibility criteria, such as residency requirements and points in more detail.

      Learn More

      WHAT IF I HAVE BEEN RECENTLY DIAGNOSED?

      Example:


      Jane has sustained an Acquired Brain Injury. She underwent lifesaving surgery and she is now receiving rehabilitation. Her doctors are hopeful she will recover in the next two years. Upon investigation of why she fell, it was found that she has Multiple Sclerosis which is probably what affected her balance. The neurologist is making further investigations on her treatment plan.
      ​In this scenario, Jane may not be eligible because she has not been fully treated or stabilised, and she may improve within the next two years.



      DISCLAIMER: Newly diagnosed conditions may not be fully treated or stabilised (yet) and therefore this may preclude the person from applying for the Disability Support Pension.  

      WHAT ARE THE PAYMENT RATES FOR THE DISABILITY SUPPORT PENSION?

      The rate of the payable pension depend on several factors that include whether or not:

      • 1, you have a partner (and living with them)
      • 2. you own a home
      • 3. you have children
      • 4. your assets and income
      • 5. whether you are under 21 years of age

      • The maximum $944.30 for a SINGLE and $711.80 for each member of a COUPLE ($1,423.60 combined)

      Depending on your income and assets, and whether you are working part time, you may get a reduced rate of pension.

      To get detailed tables and up to date information, please find more details here


      WHILE YOU ARE WAITING FOR APPROVAL FOR THE DSP

      It may take anywhere between 6 to 12 months for you to get a response to your application for a disability support pension.


      In the meantime, it is highly likely that you will be put on to JobSeeker Centrelink payment – provided that you meet the income and assets test (click here) and provided that you are:


      The maximum rate for a single individual with no children is $565.70 per fortnight (excluding the $150 Coronavirus Supplement. Partnered individuals can expect to receive $510.80 per fortnight. 


      You can generally expect to earn up to $300 per fortnight before Centrelink starts to reduce your entitlement.


      Some people who are put on JobSeeker pending an application for a Disability Support may be required to access Disability Employment Services.

      OTHER IMPORTANT PAYMENTS

      CARER PAYMENT

      The person who provides you with care may be eligible to receive a Carer Payment. This is equal to your disability pension rate. More details can be found here

      MOBILITY ALLOWANCE

      The mobility allowance is a payment of $99.50 a fortnight (lower rate) or $139.10 (higher rate) to assist people with disability, illness or injury and who cannot use public transport without a lot of help.

      Mobility allowance is being phased out by the NDIS and is no longer payable if you have transport component in your NDIS plan. If you suspect you may be eligible, more information can be found here

      CARER ALLOWANCE

      This is a non-means tested allowance to your carer (this means your care could be working full time, with substantial savings). The allowance is paid to your carer as long as they provide you with care.

      The carer must be giving additional daily care and attention to someone because they:

      • - have a disability or severe     illness
      • - are frail aged

      The current payment is $131.90 plus an annual supplement. More details can be found here

      AGE PENSION

      The age pension is payable to those who reached aged pension age, and is paid at similar rates to the Disability Support Pension. The main difference is that superannuation is no longer exempt from means testing after you reach age pension, and people who are receiving Disability Support Pension and have savings in superannuation, may find their payments reduce or stopped due to that.

      It is best to receive advice prior to turning Age Pension age to ensure you have a plan from a financial planning organisation who preferably understand the implications.

      Please note any reduction to your pension may also result in a reduction to the Commonwealth Rent Assistance as outlined below.

      Further details about the Age Pension, and for when you qualify can be found here

      If you would like to claim your entitlements, please call 1300 10 44 99 and speak to a Claim Right team member.

      RENT ASSISTANCE

      This payment is made to eligible people who rent or live in retirement villages or incur board and lodgings. It is not payable if you live in your own home, or if you are in an aged care facility, or if you live in a government housing authority (such as housing commission).

      You may however receive it if you reside in special disability accommodation (SDA) or you live in shared accommodation (such as a group home).

      The maximum payment is $139.60 for a single person, and $131.60 for a couple (plus additional payment for people with children, whether single or a couple).

      This payment is linked to Family Tax Benefit part A or your principle payment (for example, Disability Support Pension), so whatever reduction applies to your principle payment applies to rental allowance.

      The payment is also adjusted by how much rent you pay. For up to date figures, details can be found here

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      Exclusive Offer for Our Insurance Claimants

      We usually only take on DSP applications if we identify an insurance claim. This is to offset our costs as it takes such a long time to do a full DSP claim and we do it for such a low cost. 


      Do you have insurance or you are unsure? Let us search for you.


      ASK US FOR A FREE ENTITLEMENT REPORT


       NOTICE


      $99 Special Offer: We will professionally prepare your DSP application if we lodge your Total & Permanent Disability Insurance claim. 
      ​
      ​How to find out if you have this type of payment:
      ​1. Call your superannuation fund or funds
      ​2. Ask them if you held insurance on the date you stopped working.
      ​3. Call us and we will take care of the rest.
      ​
      ​If you held a job at the time you started showing symptoms of becoming ill or disabled you may claim on thousands of dollars from your superannuation company, even if the account has been closed. 
      ​
      ​Send us a message below and let us help you. We will discuss your health and why you cannot work, and we will tell you what you can claim. No obligation. No cost. 
      ​
      ​If you need help at any point, just email us on hello@claimright.com.au or call 1300 12 44 99 or fill out the form below. or fill out the form below. or fill out the form below. or fill out the form below.