As if CFS didn't mess up our plans for our lives enough already, there's another CFS we have to deal with - Chronic Financial Stress. And like the real CFS, it can be difficult to cope with and tricky to treat. The good news is that there are lots of financial tips and things that can help your money stretch further.
Government help
If you've been sick less that two years you are probably eligible for Sickness Benefits from Centrelink (what used to be called the DSS). These pay about the same rate as the Jobsearch allowance, and you'll need your doctor to sign forms every 3 months stating you're still sick.After you've been sick for two years you become eligible for a Disability Support Pension (DSP). This pays a little more---the same rate as the aged pension---and as an added bonus you are only reviewed every 12 months or more so there's less paperwork and hassle. It's tricky to get approved for this but after you have drawn sickness benefits for 2 years in a row they are pretty much obliged to give it to you so it's worth persevering.
If you're married and your partner supports you then, depending on your combined income, you may still be eligible for a full or partial pension or sickness allowance. If your income is too high for either of these you may still be able to get a health-care card which doesn't pay an allowance directly but still entitles you to the same concessions.
If you're on one of these benefits there are a bunch of other subsidies you're probably also eligible for and, being a government organization at heart, Centrelink are extremely unlikely to tell you this. I only found out through repeated questioning and searching the Centrelink website. These extra things can include:
- Rent Assistance if you pay rent
- Phone Subsidy if there is a phone in your name
- Mobility Allowance if you can't use public transport much
- Pensioner Education Supplement if you are studying part-time
- Carer pension for a spouse who has to look after you
Health-care/Pension Concessions
If you are in receipt of one of those government benefits you will receive a health-care card or pension card. Many organizations provide discounts to card holders. These include:
- Phone companies
- Electricity companies (especially in winter)
- Water and Gas Authorities
- VicRoads (for car registration)
- NHS (for \$3.20 prescriptions at the chemist)
You are also allowed to travel on public transport using concession tickets.
Many other places have concession rates if you ask but may not advertise the fact. It's always worth waving your health-care or pension card around when you are about to pay, and asking if there's a discount. This may help with:
- Doctors and specialists' fees
- Pathology charges
- Tickets to movies
- Tickets to concerts and theatres
- Tradesmen's fees
Other Concessions
If you happen to be well enough to travel but not well enough to go by yourself, both Ansett and Qantas offer discounts to disabled people travelling with a carer. You'll need some sort of documentation, probably a doctor's letter, and you should speak to the airline well in advance of booking your flight.If you are feeling assertive and see cheaper rates advertised for the elderly, make it a point to say, ``I assume this applies to disability pensioners too?'' Most places I find haven't ever thought of it but are willing to give me the cheaper rate once I ask. My supermarket did this so I now get free home-delivery instead of paying \$4!
In general when I have asked if I'm eligible for a discount, I've found people to be courteous and helpful. And remember: It's always worth asking, the worst they can do is say `no.'
