A sudden change in your circumstances, physical or mental wellbeing can have a significant impact on your life. Knowing where to seek additional support can make a difference.
For someone who has not lived with a disability before, an impairment presents sudden emotional hurdles.
It can feel overwhelming adjusting to your new circumstances, but it’s important to know that there are support options available to help you on your feet and maintain your quality of life as best as you can.
While engaging with the welfare system can feel like a negative or demeaning experience, it’s important to remember that these systems exist to support people through tough times. The NDIS remains flooded, and support can seem like a long time in coming. But, every bit counts and support payments could really help.
Support Payments
If you find yourself with an illness, a disability, or injury, the government has services and payments available if you are eligible for benefits. If you are 16 or older, you may be eligible for:
- Disability Support Pension; if you are unable to work because of a permanent physical, intellectual, or psychiatric condition.
- Jobseeker Payment; if you are looking for work between the ages of 22 and the Age Pension age. This also applies to when you are sick or injured, and are unable to work or study for a limited period of time.
- Youth Allowance; this applies when you are 21 or younger, unable to work or looking for work.
- Mobility Allowance; this helps if you are needing help with travel costs for work or study, or for looking for work. This applies if you are unable to use public transport without help because of your disability.
- Pensioner Education Supplement (PES); if you are requiring help with study costs, this is a regular extra payment you may be able to receive. If you are eligible for this, you may also be eligible for a one off Education Entry Payment.
Researching your options for Centrelink payments and benefits is a great way to ensure some stability that while you are recovering from illness or injury. Furthermore, as you begin to live with disability you will be able to make use of support networks you have in place to help you live on your own terms.
Organisations such as Disability Services Australia, Healthdirect, National Disability Insurance Scheme, and Helping Children With Autism can provide much needed support for your needs.
Employment Assistance
Living with disability, injury, or illness, it’s natural to grieve for the ability you no longer have. You can also feel more vulnerable to feelings of depression and anxiety, impacting your overall wellbeing.
It’s important to keep yourself busy, whether it’s by getting into a new hobby, or staying in the workforce, to keep your mind active. There are many fantastic jobs for people with disabilities available, and with the right support there won’t be many jobs that aren’t available!
If you’re wondering how to go about this, APM Disability Employment Service is an exceptional service that helps individuals like you to regain and maintain employment that suits your specific circumstances and requirements.
Australia’s largest provider of Disability Employment Services, you can trust that they will provide comprehensive support so that you can find employment and maintain your health and wellbeing.
