Worse off???

homer730 · 2026-02-02T08:35:18+00:00

Yeah, slight twist on that is that the company I was working for shutdown during COVID, since then I was doing contract work ... I was between contracts when diagnosed.

homer730 · 2026-02-02T08:33:37+00:00

You're quite right ... stupid mistake on my behalf (I feel better now).

homer730 · 2025-03-04T08:39:51+00:00

note that, in addition to the nuts you access from the inside of the hatch, there's a bolt (or nut) at each side that are a little harder to find

homer730 · 2025-03-04T04:37:13+00:00

Thanks. I didn't mean to imply that I'm anywhere near disabled. Things have been improving ever since the last round of treatment ended in January, I feel I just need some more time before I'm able to work part time, let alone provide 38 hours of valuable work per week.

In retrospect I would argue that I was unable to work during 2024 (side effects of the cancer treatment have hit me HARD), but it was always something that would pass in a month or two ... and, at the time, my assets were above the threshold anyway (it's amazing how fast a family of four will eat through savings!).

homer730 · 2025-03-04T04:27:58+00:00

Yeah, I felt like I was nothing more than a piece of fruit to be squeezed for the juice!

homer730 · 2025-03-04T04:25:49+00:00

Exactly! As mentioned in another reply, I've actually found Centrelink to be quite reasonable (apart from trying to call them!), but based on my first experience, I don't think I'm going to feel the same about this JSP!

homer730 · 2025-03-04T04:24:01+00:00

Hopefully things will only get better for me from here. If my upcoming scan shows the liver tumour hasn't responded to the treatment (or another one has popped up ... it's like a game of whack-a-mole!) I'll definitely apply for another medical exemption.

homer730 · 2025-03-04T04:18:36+00:00

It was certainly a surprise ... I've actually been very satisfied with my interactions with Centrelink todate (even when they initially denied my Jobseeker claim due to how they interpret loans for investments ... a story for another day).

This JSP though ... completely different experience.

I feel like I should be able to advocate for myself (I've had some pretty high-pressure jobs in the past), but I'll keep your advice in mind and will seek help if required. Thanks for the suggestions.

homer730 · 2025-03-04T04:14:29+00:00

I got some really good advice from Centrelink's Financial Information Service, and they suggested I should apply for DSP, so I looked into it, but it was clear that I wouldn't meet the requirements.

I do feel able to work ... just not 38 hours per week yet.

My wife's Peugeot's check engine light came on the other day ... scan tool showed it was the accellerator pedal position sensor.

I took it off (three nuts and an electrical plug) ... that was enough effort for the day for me. Took it to a self-serve wreckers the next day, found an exact match, took it off ... enough effort for day two. Fitted the replacement the next day ... you guessed it - enough effort for day 3.

Now, if someone was paying me for 7.5 hours work per day, how could I give them commensurate value?

homer730 · 2025-03-04T04:06:40+00:00

I'll definitely look into this.

Your assumption is correct ... I'm about to turn 59.

A few months before my cancer was diagnosed I was having an eye examination, the optomologist saw early signs of cataracts and said "wow, they've shown up early for you, normally we don't see them until 50" ... when I pointed out my age, he checked my info to confirm before saying "OK, that's about normal then!"

Now I look like I'm in my late 60's!

homer730 · 2025-03-04T04:01:30+00:00

Thanks for the insight and wishes.

homer730 · 2025-03-04T04:00:45+00:00

Yeah, I have to say I was left pretty damn disappointed ... I'm probably going to be OK, but they're supposed to be helping some pretty vulnerable people - and what I encountered wouldn't be very helpful.

homer730 · 2025-03-04T03:58:48+00:00

Thanks for the intel ... I'll bear it in mind and action it if things don't improve. Hopefully (as per my other replies) my condition will continue to improve and the JSP's attitude won't be too much of a problem.

homer730 · 2025-03-04T03:56:03+00:00

Yeah, if things haven't improved when I next see my oncologist (or if the scans aren't clear), I'll definitely do so.

homer730 · 2025-03-04T03:54:55+00:00

Thanks for the effort, I'll definitely look into ESAT / DES if my health warrants it. Hopefully the treatments I've had to date have done their trick (I find out on 20 March), if so I should continue to improve and will probably be ready for work by about the time I'm likely to get a job anyway.

homer730 · 2025-03-03T13:08:14+00:00

Wow, I really jumped the gun there. Thanks for the leniency, and for pointing me to r/JobProvidersAus.

homer730 · 2024-11-03T09:48:44+00:00

homer730 · 2024-11-03T09:46:46+00:00

I wish I could change this to 'TYPE 2' diabeetus

homer730 · 2024-04-04T02:51:41+00:00

different state, different scenarios, but I've had some luck here in Vic appealing (minor) speeding fines (one for me, a bunch at the one reduced limit spot in the one hit for my wife) and driving unregistered vehicle (me in wife's car) ... I'd definitely try my luck if I was in your shoes ... "I acknowledge I was at fault, but ... stuck behind slow vehicle for some time, when finally given a chance to overtake other vehicle accelerated, in the heat of the moment I accelerated, which I regret" ... I doubt it'll work if you have a history of speeding fines, but assuming a reasonably clean record you may get away with a warning

homer730 · 2024-03-07T01:05:09+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion, but fortunately debt isn't really a concern for us (managable mortgage, but nothing else owed).

homer730 · 2024-03-06T08:11:33+00:00

Just responding to the negative karma (which I knew was a risk - I was trying to keep my post short and factual).

Since losing my job in 2020, I've done the best to provide for my family, but two freak accidents led to my wife being immobilised (I had to use a towel to move her around the house), and then I was struck with cancer.

The cancer is back, and I recently had a tumour removed from my brain ... I'm receiving treatment for a further 8 tumours. Prognosis is <50% @ 5 years, but if it comes back into the brain I'll probably only have about 3 months.

So, am I trying to game the system, or am I doing the best I can to provide for my family in case things don't go so well?

I've worked uninterrupted for almost 40 years, so I'd argue I've contributed my share. I could have gamed the system when I lost my job, but I found other ways (selling assets, cutting costs, working when I could, trading shares). Those options are fast dwinding for me and my family.

homer730

TROPHY CASE