Budget hits Disability Support Pension

19 May 2014: I am all for people with a disability working and I think it is a good idea for many reasons such as, having something to do each day, contributing to society and improving your skill set and self esteem.

What concerns me about the Liberal Government's wanting to reassess those on Disability Support Pension (DSP) is that those that really need the support because of needing homecare and mobility aides and medication are no longer supported. These costs are not cheap and are not something you can live without when you have a major disability – even if you do work, many work part-time as this is all they can handle.

Getting assessed and being given DSP is no easy task and once it is proven you have a disability, needing to provide proof again and again is degrading.

The reality is that the government is squeezing those that want to help us find a job (such as NOVA) and wanting outcomes with less money and support given. The fact that people have DSP is because they need help finding a job and understanding and support when they do have a job. When they are unwell for long periods of time or they are needing help understanding changes.

The truth is that there are thousands of people on DSP, not enough people that can help them find a job and not enough understanding employers that will give you a go.

The maths on finding a job for a person with a disability does not look good even if the Liberal Budget is looking up