DSP (Easy Read)

This Easy Read page is about the Disability Support Pension.

It is a good idea to read this page with support.

Hard words are in bold.

We explain what they mean.

For more information about getting the Disability Support Pension go to:

Services Australia | Disability Support Pension

The Disability Support Pension or DSP is a Centrelink payment from the Government.

The DSP is for people with a disability that affects how much they can work.

Some people worry they will lose the DSP if they get a job.

This is not true.

If you make less than $218 a fortnight from work you will still get the full amount of DSP

If you make more than $218 a fortnight from work you will still get some DSP.

For every dollar you earn over $218 a fortnight you will lose 50 cents of your DSP.

For example if you earn $618 a fortnight from work you will lose $200 a fortnight from your DSP.

This means you are still better off working.

If you earn more than $2575.40 a fortnight you will not get any DSP.

When you live with a partner the Government adds your pays together to work out how much DSP you get.

If you and your partner earn less than $380 a fortnight from work you will still get the full amount of DSP.

If you and your partner earn more than $380 a fortnight from work you will still get some DSP.

For every dollar you and your partner earn over $380 a fortnight you will lose 50 cents of your DSP.

For example if you and your partner earn $780 a fortnight from work you will lose $200 a fortnight from your DSP.

This means you are still better off working.

If you and your partner earn more than $3836 a fortnight you will not get any DSP.

If you are under 21 the DSP rules are a bit different but you are still better off working.

For more information visit the Services Australia website.

There are also rules about how many hours you can work if you get DSP.

You can work up to 30 hours a week if you are in open employment.

Open employment is when people with and without disability work together in regular jobs.

You can work more than 30 hours a week on the DSP if you

• work in an Australian Disability Enterprise

or

• get support from Disability Employment Services.

Australian Disability Enterprises or ADE’s are a type of employment for people with disability who need a lot of support to work.

Disability Employment Services or DES is a Government program that supports people with disability to find and keep a job.

You must report to Centrelink every fortnight to tell them:

• How many hours you worked

• How much you earned from working

• How much your partner earned from working if you are a couple.

It is important to report every fortnight so Centrelink can pay you the right amount.

You can report:

• On the phone by calling 133 276

• Online from your Centrelink account on MyGov.

Centrelink will put your DSP on hold for up to 2 years if you:

• Earn more than $2575.40 a fortnight as a single for more than 12 fortnights in a row.

• Earn more than $3934 a fortnight as a couple for more than 12 fortnights in a row.

• Work more than 30 hours a week in open employment.

This means you do not have to worry if some weeks you work too many hours or earn too much to get the DSP.

Your DSP will start again as soon as you tell Centrelink about the change.

You can keep your Pensioner Concession Card for up to 2 years after your DSP stops.

Your Pensioner Concession Card helps cover the cost of things like:

• Some medications

• Public transport

• Electricity and gas bills.

To learn more about getting the DSP go to:

Getting the Disability Support Pension (Easy Read)