The Disability Support Pension (DSP) has become increasingly difficult to claim. The DSP is supposed to be a safety net for people who cannot work for medical reasons.
Unfortunately, the majority of claims for the DSP are rejected and often for technical reasons as opposed to real-life needs. For example, the person or their doctor is not familiar with the specific requirements which need to be met in order to be entitled to the DSP.
What’s does this mean for people with severe disabilities?
This means that there are some people with profound disabilities who are being refused the DSP. In fact, someone who is a paraplegic and wheelchair-bound, in certain circumstances, may not be entitled to a DSP.
Recently Paul Watson, Principal in our Brisbane office was interview by ABC along with disability advocates regarding these specific concerns, and in particular referencing a rejection for DSP for someone suffering the debilitating disease, Huntingtons.
You can read the full ABC article here.
Berrill & Watson Lawyers want the criteria for the DSP to be reviewed to make it simpler for people (and their doctors) to understand what’s required of them to meet the current stringent requirements and to make it considerably easier for those with a disability, to make a claim.