From PWD E-Bulletin Issue 52, April 2009, published by People With Disability (Australia):
In March 2009, speculation intensified that the Commonwealth Government would abandon expected increases to the disability support pension (and other income support payments) in response to the rapid deterioration in Government revenues brought about by the World financial crisis. However, on 26 March 2009, the Prime Minister, Hon Kevin Rudd, provided a public assurance that a rise in the pension was guaranteed to disability support pensioners in the May budget.
This guarantee was also provided by the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, the Hon Jenny Macklin, who said “we have always been clear: age pensioners, disability support pensioners, carers and veterans will get a pension rise in the May budget.”
PWD welcomes the Government’s unequivocal guarantee of a rise in the disability support pension this year.
The DSP will increase but the Government has decided to reduce the amount paid to those D.S.Pensioners who work. The current amount which earnings reduce the DSP is by 40 cents per dollar. This increases to 50 cents per dollar as the $32.49 comes into effect in september.
ReplyDeleteIt appears not many are aware of this aspect. Give with one hand and take with the other.
Very disappointing / disillusioning.