Lived Experience Forum

[ClockFace]

My psychiatrist has suggested I consider applying for DSP. I know its really hard to get. My spinal specialist has suggested it in the past too. I dont really want to stop working, but Im not sure how I can keep going.

[Shaz51]

Hello @ClockFace 

We are both on the DSP 

And once you apply with centrelink,  you have to get as much information as you can from specialists, doctors,  psychiatrist and to send them all to centrelink 

It takes months , you need to be patience because it seems to take a long time 

Sometimes you will be rejected the first try , but they give you more time to gather more information for them 

And sometimes they will ask if you want to go on jobseeker payments 

Always think of you worse days ever when you are filling out the forms 

You can still work on the DSP but less hours are expected 

Please ask me  any questions you may have 

Here for you , have my fingers crossed 🤞 for you xx

[Bow]

Hey @ClockFace 

I applied for and was granted dsp last year. I provided them with just about every piece of documentation I had. I had a great supporting letter from my psychologist and dietitian. They both understood what they needed to report. I had referral letters, copies of health care plans, all my hospital discharge summaries, pathology reports and goodness knows what else. They only allow you to upload a certain amount of documents so I combined a number of similar ones when I scanned them. 

I submitted everything in the April. Come September I got a letter saying I needed to have an appointment with a psychologist. It was to be via a video call, but she ended up calling me. The call was 5 mins, confirming how much my disabilities impact my day and that was about it. She said that I provided them with so much information and she didn’t need to know anything else. My disability support pension was then approved in October. 

I was expecting to be rejected and have to provide more info. I was also expecting to have an appointment with one of their psychiatrist. But no. 

it’s worth a try. 

goodluck 

[Shaz51]

Way to go @Bow 🥰

@ClockFace 

For my DSP,  I was like you and was approved the first time last year xx

My husband's took a little bit longer , he did it in October and was approved in march this year 

[RoseGeranium]

@ClockFace If you're in any doubt, call centrelink and ask for a social worker to take you through anything that you need to go through the requirements for the DSP.  From what I understand, you can't work or study for more than 15 hours a week for 2 years and you need support letters stating that.  After that two years, you can work up to 29 hours a week.  Do check with Centrelink on that information though.  I'd really like to hear about what you happen to find as I am training to become a peer worker and any information on what is out there is of so much value to me.

Much love,

Elspeth.

[DogMan79]

It's probably changed a lot since mine was granted

What everyone else has said, plus include anything like warning letters from employers or sacking letters. They spell out your workplace limitations clearly

Mine was reviewed after 2 years, which used to be standard practice. That didn't need documentation since they had it from original grant. But they just verify that nothing has drastically changed with your health

[MJG017]

It was suggest to me to apply for DPS last October after speaking to a woman at Services Australia after I had a couple of 3 month exemptions while undergoing multiple treatments for prostate cancer.  She told me the things I should focus on when getting medical evidence for my application, which funnily enough had nothing to do with the cancer, just one particular side effect from the surgery.

Six months later it was granted.  I still don't really understand the process and what gets you approved and what doesn't. So i'd suggest asking around and finding out what specifically you should focus on in your application, it may be something that you wouldn't think was the priority.