Centrelink
There are a number of Centrelink payments available to people who are currently unable to participate in the workforce. A basic summary of possible payments can be found below. A Centrelink worker can discuss access and eligibility to income support
Centrelink offers a Community Services Unit, located at various agencies throughout the week. Contact Centrelink to check their whereabouts. If a client is too ill to access a Centrelink office a home visit can be arranged. For an overview of payments and relevant information, visit the website below or the contact Centrelink through the phone numbers below.
People on Newstart Allowance who are temporarily unable to work do not transfer to Sickness Allowance but instead remain on Newstart. A medical certificate is required for a person to be exempted from looking for work for the duration of the certificate. It may still be necessary to lodge fortnightly forms
People who are temporarily unable to work or study due to illness or injury and who have experienced a loss of income may be eligible for sickness allowance. A medical certificate must be provided by a registered medical practitioner. Payment under this allowance finishes when the medical certificate expires. It is therefore important to organise another certificate in advance to avoid payment being stopped. Sickness Allowance is not a long term payment. There is an expectation sick leave is already taken before accessing this allowance
The Disability Support Pension is available to clients who are unable to work full time or for long periods. A medical report is necessary and an examination by a Health Services Australia Medical Assessor may be required, depending on the information contained in the medical report
is an income support payment you can get if you
personally provide full-time care:
-for a person with a severe disability or medical condition
-on a daily basis
-in the person's home or in hospital
can be claimed for one adult, or for the combined care needs of an adult and that adult's
child
is income and assets tested, both for the carer and the person being cared for
CARER ALLOWANCE (used to be known as Domiciliary Nursing Care Benefit)
is an allowance, separated from Carer Payment, for
people:
-personally caring for a person who experiences a substantial functional impairment as a
result of his/her disability
-who live in the home of the person being cared for
-who assist with treatment if the person is in hospital
can be paid for up to two adults in care
is not income and assets tested
can be paid in addition to Carer Payment
For more information about Carer Payment and Carer Allowance see Notes for Carer Payment and/or Carer Allowance Caring for a person -16 years or over
This allowance is available to provide assistance to people with disabilities who are in employment, vocational training, a combination of work or training, voluntary work, and who are unable to use public transport without substantial assistance. A medical report should be provided and evidence that you are currently employed, training or participating in voluntary work
Rent assistance will be paid as an addition to the pension, benefit or allowance for people on some form of social security payment who are renting privately
People receiving a payment from Centrelink will be issued one of the following types of concession cards: Healthcare Card, Pension Concession Card
These cards entitle the holder to cheaper prescription items, concessions on public transport and a variety of other discounts and concessions. Centrelink will supply this information. There are a variety of additional payments for which clients may be eligible. It is worth contacting Centrelink or a Social Worker for further details
The Financial Information Service (FIS) gives free information that will help current and future Centrelink customers to improve their standard of living by using their own money to the best advantage
Any person with a disability who is in receipt of Centrelink payments can be offered rehabilitation, vocational training programs and job search assistance. Disability Officers are specialist staff available in each office to assist Centrelink customers in this respect
People receiving Sickness Allowance and Newstart can continue to receive payment if they commence a rehabilitation program through the Commonwealth Rehabilitation Service. Medical certificates are not required and payment is generally made for the duration of the program (up to a maximum of 4 years)
The following are a list of Direct Dial Centrelink Phone Numbers:
Centrelink Office appointments 13 1021
Newstart and other allowances 13 2850
Pensions 13 2300
Family Payments 13 1305
Other Enquiries 13 2468
Enquiries in languages other than English 13 1202
Enquiries by teletypewriter for hearing impaired 1800 810 586