In Australia, those who have physical or mental impairments may be eligible for the Disability Support Pension (DSP). But not everyone is eligible right away because eligibility is based on a set of requirements.
Talking about the NDIS community access in Brisbane, the 2024 Disability Pension Payment, which aims to give older Australians more financial support, has been the subject of recent talks.
- Based on modifications to the Pensioner and Beneficiary Living Cost Index (PBLCI) and Consumer Price Index (CPI), indexation occurs twice a year.
- The PBLCI has climbed by 2.6% and the CPI by 2% over the last half-year.
- Consequently, there will be a 2.6% rise in the maximum basic rate for these payments and a 2% increase in the pension supplement.
Although this is better than the 1.8% gain as in March 2024, the greater amount is due to rising living expenses.
Will Disability Support Pension Increase in Australia in 2024?
Since Disability Support Pension (DSP) has not yet issued the final indexation statistics, the figures below are estimates:
| Disability Support Pension/ carer payment | Maximum fortnightly rate (Current) | Expected rate from September 2024 | Amount extra each fortnight |
| T&PI (Special rate) | $1,760.00
| $1,805.30 | $45.30 |
| Intermediate rate | $1,166.80 | $1,196.80 | $45.30 |
| EDA | $949.80 | $974.20 | $24.40 |
| 100 percent (inc ES) | $611.00 | $626.70 | $15.70 |
| 10 per cent (inc ES) | $68.03 | $69.60 | $1.57 |
Who All are Eligible for Disability Pension?
In order to be eligible for the Disability Support Pension (DSP), applicants need to fulfil the subsequent requirements:
- Needs to be a permanent resident of Australia.
- You must be between the ages of 16 and Age Pension age. The pension age is 66 as of February 2021, and increased to 67 in July 2023.
There are two categories of medical guidelines: general and clear medical regulations.
A condition satisfies the precise medical guidelines if:
- Are permanently blind
- Are at nursing home level care
- More than two years must have passed since the disability began, or be projected to continue.
- Hold an intellectual disability, IQ <70
- Have category 4 HIV/ AIDS
- Get a department of VET affairs special rate disability pension
The general medical rules:
- A minimum impairment rating of 20 points or higher is required.
- The individual’s impairment must keep them from working more than 15 hours per week.
Important Changes in NDIS community access in Brisbane & Disability Pension 2024
- The addition of Independent Assessments is one of the biggest changes. The purpose of these evaluations is to offer a more uniform and equitable method of establishing an individual’s eligibility for the NDIS and the extent of help they receive. They are carried out by impartial medical experts who have no affiliation with the NDIS or any service providers.
- The transition to a more flexible approach to finance is another significant development. Participants in the NDIS service scheme will therefore have greater flexibility to utilise their funds whichever best suits their unique needs and objectives. This could entail investing in assistive technology or acquiring services from a larger pool of service providers.
- The means test for the disability pension will be reviewed, according to government indications. Changes in the income and asset thresholds may follow from this, which may have an impact on people’s eligibility and pension benefits.
In addition, there are intentions to simplify the disability pension application procedure. This is intended to expedite the application process and shorten the time it takes for a decision to be made.
Does the NDIS Payment Plan affect DSP?
The DSP is usually unaffected by the NDIS. NDIS funds are not regarded as income by Centrelink or the Australian Taxation Office. This implies that when Centrelink keeps track of your income and assets, your DSP has no bearing on your NDIS support.
However, there are specific circumstances in which your DSP may be indirectly impacted by your funding under the NDIS community access in Brisbane. For eg:
- Your DSP may be impacted if you use your NDIS funding to cover transportation expenses unrelated to your disability support needs, including going to the movies or seeing friends. Centrelink may count this as income.
- Your DSP eligibility or payment rate may be impacted if you use your NDIS money to purchase a vehicle or a home—assets that raise your net worth.
If you use your NDIS funds to pay for services that are already covered by public housing or Medicare.
Wrapping Up
The increase in the Disability Support Pension is an important step in providing better assistance for those with impairments. In conclusion regarding the NDIS community access in Brisbane, the raise in the Disability Support Pension is a noteworthy advancement that offers advantages beyond just financial compensation. It suggests a desire to address both pressing financial demands and more general societal issues in order to enhance the lives of people living with a disability.
Teuila as a registered disability services in Brisbane is here to help you out at every step. Get in touch with for latest updates and changes regarding the disability services and plans.
Read more: What is Supported Independent Living (SIL)?
