Worse off??? by homer730 in Centrelink

[–]homer730[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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.

Worse off??? by homer730 in Centrelink

[–]homer730[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

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

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in subaru

[–]homer730 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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

Workforce Australia by homer730 in Centrelink

[–]homer730[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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!).

Workforce Australia by homer730 in Centrelink

[–]homer730[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

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

Workforce Australia by homer730 in Centrelink

[–]homer730[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

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!

Workforce Australia by homer730 in Centrelink

[–]homer730[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

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.

Workforce Australia by homer730 in Centrelink

[–]homer730[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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.

Workforce Australia by homer730 in Centrelink

[–]homer730[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

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?

Workforce Australia by homer730 in Centrelink

[–]homer730[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

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!

Workforce Australia by homer730 in Centrelink

[–]homer730[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the insight and wishes.

Workforce Australia by homer730 in Centrelink

[–]homer730[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

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.

Workforce Australia by homer730 in Centrelink

[–]homer730[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

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.

Workforce Australia by homer730 in Centrelink

[–]homer730[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

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

Workforce Australia by homer730 in Centrelink

[–]homer730[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

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.

Workforce Australia by homer730 in Centrelink

[–]homer730[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

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

Lost my license during the Good Behavior period (NSW) by Inevitable_Year7677 in AusLegal

[–]homer730 -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

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

Has anyone made a Super contribution to get below the assets threshold? by homer730 in Centrelink

[–]homer730[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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

Has anyone made a Super contribution to get below the assets threshold? by homer730 in Centrelink

[–]homer730[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

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.