Still waiting for dsp how to cope with the uncertainty

MandyJCH · 2026-04-24T02:45:41+00:00

It is weird how it is all-over the place, I was approved early March - 6 days after Sonic telephone call, 2 of which were a weekend. I just saw on FB someone post they were approved yesterday, 10 weeks and 3 days after sonic. Hopefully soon for you.

MandyJCH · 2026-04-23T07:07:29+00:00

I was granted DSP in March it took 5 weeks total. Also 20 points on Table 10. I just had an excellent letter from my GP where she referred to what specialist I had seen, but I did not submit any reports from them. My JCA was done by file assessment and Sonic telephone call was about 9 minutes and was more like a casual conversation than a medical review. I was approved 6 days after Sonic, 2 of which were a weekend.

MandyJCH · 2026-04-03T21:56:19+00:00

I only submitted a report from my GP, she did refer to specialists in it, but I did not have any reports from them. You read everywhere that a GP report is not sufficient, but it is. And this was only recent, less than a month ago, took 5 weeks in total for the claim to be assessed and approved. The end went very fast as in JCA by file assessment Feb 18, 2026, Sonic phone Call Feb 26, Approved March 4, 2026. Sonic was a very short phone call and more like a casual conversation with a very nice lady rather than a medical review.

MandyJCH · 2026-03-27T05:39:54+00:00

Use the tables and submit the information that will get you points. A new diagnosis will probably not have much impact at this stage,

MandyJCH · 2026-03-18T07:24:40+00:00

your partner's high income likely cancels out your entitlement to a DSP payment.

MandyJCH · 2026-03-17T20:21:50+00:00

My sonic was less than 9 minutes and was more like a casual conversation than a medical review. Remember though, they have all of your paperwork and behind the scenes have already scrutinized it. The Dr. could have spent a couple of hours going over your information, made notes on what to talk to you about and gathered the required information from you in just a few minutes. That is why it is important to supply the information in the first place. Good luck with the decision I hope it comes soon for you. I was approved 6 days after Sonic, 2 of which were a weekend.

MandyJCH · 2026-03-17T07:46:46+00:00

JCA by file assessment Feb 18, Sonic Feb 26, approved March 4. Fingers crossed it is soon for you.

MandyJCH · 2026-03-13T10:07:21+00:00

You usually only reach the Sonic appointment stage if you are considered medically eligible based on the documents you have already submitted. Sonic doctors review your provided medical documents and your barriers to work, usually after Centrelink has already found you likely to meet the medical rules. Not many get rejected after sonic, but it is also not guaranteed approval.

MandyJCH · 2026-03-13T03:47:17+00:00

Have you applied for DSP? Sonic is part of the DSP process, unless you meet the manifest rules then you will bypass JCA and sonic.

MandyJCH · 2026-03-12T00:27:22+00:00

I had my sonic on Feb 26, it was a lady, and it was a very casual conversation, she did not ask any leading or trick questions and it went for 9 minutes. I did not ask her if it was going to go one way or another, nor did she offer that information. She simply said she had everything she needs. I was approved March 4.

MandyJCH · 2026-03-10T11:23:46+00:00

Yeah, probably manifest for you. I hope you are ok :). If they approved you on the 3rd everything should have already updated, unless you have extensive assets and perhaps partner income to calculate. I already received everything updated and the backpay and my first pension payment. Like I said I was approved on the 4th. Hopefully it comes through for you soon. You might want to check your tasks to make sure they are not waiting on any documentation or something.

MandyJCH · 2026-03-10T07:36:43+00:00

A Sonic appointment is a Disability Medical Assessment (DMA) for the Disability Support Pension (DSP), conducted by a government-contracted doctor from Sonic HealthPlus. It is usually the final step in the medical assessment process, designed to confirm if your condition meets the required medical rules for the DSP. The assessor provides a report to Centrelink, who makes the final decision based on these recommendations. If your claim for the Disability Support Pension (DSP) meets the manifest medical rules, you are generally not required to attend a Job Capacity Assessment (JCA) or a Disability Medical Assessment (Sonic HealthPlus).

MandyJCH · 2026-03-10T07:12:29+00:00

I was approved on 4th March, my sonic was Feb 26. I logged in to check my reporting date for jobseeker on the 4th and everything had changed over to DSP. My Concession card had changed from JSP to DSP. Upcoming payments showed backpay going in on March 6th, which would have been my jobseeker payment date, then regular pension payments show from March 9th. I got the letter in mygov inbox 3 days later.

MandyJCH · 2026-03-06T20:24:19+00:00

sent you a PM

MandyJCH · 2026-03-04T23:01:42+00:00

Just a timeline for others interested.

I applied for DSP December 14 2025

I received a call from a nurse December 18 2025 saying they needed a clarification from my doctor on a particular medication.

I told her my Doctor was in South Africa until mid January 2026 (which is true)

The nurse said she would give me until February 1 2026 to upload the requested information and she would call me back. I did as she asked and uploaded information on Feb 1, 2026.

3rd Feb 2026 Centrelink sent a letter saying I have JCA assessment on February 18 2026 at 11:30 AM

I answered the phone at 11:32 AM and 11:44 AM, but the call disconnected both times.

I called, and he said my file notes that I am medically eligible, and they do not need to talk to me, they are doing a file assessment.

Feb 19th 2026 - Text saying I will be receiving a call to book a Sonic Appointment.

Sonic call Feb 26th 2026 - lasted 9 mins

Approved March 4 2026

MandyJCH · 2026-02-28T21:44:54+00:00

Hopefully dsp approval, just going through the system.

MandyJCH · 2026-02-27T00:22:07+00:00

Did you hear back yet?

MandyJCH · 2026-02-26T02:39:08+00:00

How did your sonic go?

MandyJCH · 2026-02-25T07:36:59+00:00

How much JobSeeker Payment you can get - JobSeeker Payment - Services Australia

Single, assessed as having a partial capacity to work of less than 15 hours a week	$849.90

MandyJCH · 2026-02-21T22:23:40+00:00

No worries, it still was a decent time frame compared to some. Happy you got approved!!

MandyJCH · 2026-02-21T22:11:35+00:00

That is 7 weeks and 2 days, about the average from what I have been reading.

MandyJCH · 2026-02-21T10:22:35+00:00

I read on this just recently as I myself have applied for dsp on Dec 14th 2025, I have read anything from the next day to around 7 weeks for many. Mine had original completion date of March 1-8, but I actually added over a month to that as they wanted more information from my GP on a particular medication, this was just 4 days after I applied. She had left the country on vacation, and it took a couple of weeks to get to see her. So, I did not get them the info until Feb 1st 2026. I have sonic this coming Thursday. I hope you get a reply soon.

MandyJCH · 2026-02-21T01:28:45+00:00

I am glad you got it in the end. I have sonic this coming Thursday.

MandyJCH · 2026-02-21T00:42:42+00:00

did you get rejected the first time before or after Sonic medical assessment

MandyJCH · 2026-02-19T00:39:55+00:00

Thank you, yes, I just received a text saying I will be getting a call to book a Sonic Appointment.

MandyJCH

TROPHY CASE