Day 14

[lɛftəʊvə]

I have been lax but there's not been any difference in procedure's apart from change in appointment times which tends to upset the bodies rhythm somewhat. Still there's only 27 treatments to go and with Easter coming up to give another break but thinking I'll not bother to go anywhere not even back home as the effort of 3 to 4 hours of bodily functions get's to be a pain in the butt after a while in more ways than one. Wish public transport around town had toilets which is another thing which puts one off getting out of hospital environment for a break. The need to figure out where the public toilet is located is at some stage important and I did notice that Centrelink did not have any public toilet when I had to visit that umm shop. Still nothing resolved with them either and its been 3 months for this attempt at getting anything out of them. Some days I wonder why do I bother with them but being unemployable in other words over 50 years old, over qualified and living 600kms away from a major city. Oh well 6 weeks more of being away from home but then what?

[Paulpwtierney]

I don't want to appear impertinent but I have had some experience with Centrelink and what is the actual problem there. Are you receiving Newstart ? Have you had a formal decision on your application for DSP ? I was told the issue with cancer for DSP is that it is not considered permanent as permanent is fully treated. I suppose that is a good thing but it leaves cancer sufferers only eligible for Newstart. It is true however that Centrelink is hardly a " customer " friendly organisation with long wait times for service either in person or on the phone but it seems there is little that can be done. Good luck.

[lɛftəʊvə]

I cannot get Newstart as I collected a couple of properties which puts me over the $256000 mark for assets and no formal decision on my application for DSP as of this week but apparently all the forms have been received and I have had the medical review on the 6th March. I am living off cashed up super funds until I can get back home to sort things out in 2 months time after the procedures are completed. "customer" I am not a customer I am the scum of the earth who wants a piece of the tax money I have forked out over the years back in my pocket.

[Paulpwtierney]

Fair enough , I get the picture. In regards to the properties if there is any reason you cannot sell these properties under what they call hardship provisions they may be exempted. You can look at asset hardship on their website or enquire directly. As you mentioned previously a Low Income Health Care Card might assist you as there are no asset requirements here. I am in a similar situation with no Centrelink payments despite 30 years tax paid. I know I can't get a pension until my doctors decide I am pretty much cactus so as much as a pension would help financially I prefer to recover and live. I hope things work out for you and you beat this thing.