[dbaust] More support for people with disability to work - Senator the Hon Jan McLucas

From: Erika Webb <erikaweb@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: Erika Webb <erikaweb@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wed, 9 May 2012 19:11:20 -0700 (PDT)
TITLE: More support for people with disability to work - Senator the Hon Jan 
McLucas
PORTFOLIO: Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
URL:http://www.janmclucas.fahcsia.gov.au/mediareleases/2012/pages/support_people_disability_work_090512.aspx
SNIPPET: Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. 
Australians with disability will receive greater support to help them into work 
where possible, as a result of legislation passed by the Parliament today.. 
This important change will give people with disability the security they need 
to test their ability to work more hours, without worrying about losing 
qualification for the disability pension
More support for people with disability to work Date: 9/05/2012  
Joint Media Release with: Jenny Macklin MP, Minister for Families, Community 
Services and Indigenous Affairs, Minister for Disability Reform
Australians with disability will receive greater support to help them into work 
where possible, as a result of legislation passed by the Parliament today. 
The Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Disability Support Pension 
Participation Reforms) Bill 2012 delivers more generous work rules for 
Disability Support Pension (DSP) recipients and new participation requirements 
for DSP recipients who have some capacity to work.
From 1 July this year, DSP recipients aged under 35 years with some capacity to 
work will be required to attend regular participation interviews with 
Centrelink to develop participation plans, to help build their capacity and 
overcome barriers to work.
Also from 1 July this year, all DSP recipients will be able to work up to 30 
hours a week without their payment being suspended or cancelled, subject to the 
income test.
Currently DSP recipients granted after 11 May 2005 can only work up to 15 hours 
a week before their payment is suspended or cancelled. This important change 
will give people with disability the security they need to test their ability 
to work more hours, without worrying about losing qualification for the 
disability pension.
The Australian Government believes we can do better than a lifetime spent on 
income support for Australians who have some capacity to work.
A job provides more than just a pay packet—it gives people dignity and purpose, 
provides security for the future and connects people to their community.
That’s why this Government is taking steps to make it easier for people on the 
disability support pension to find and keep a job.
In addition to these changes to the DSP, the Government is delivering extra 
support for people with disability, including more employment services and new 
financial incentives for employers to take on more people with disability.
The Government will also ensure the DSP continues to be an essential safety net 
for Australians who are unable to work.
The Bill also introduces new rules from 1 July this year that allow DSP 
recipients, who have a severe and permanent disability and no future work 
capacity, to travel overseas for more than 13 weeks while retaining access to 
their pension.
http://www.janmclucas.fahcsia.gov.au/mediareleases/2012/pages/support_people_disability_work_090512.aspx
[dbaust] More support for people with disability to work - Senator the Hon Jan McLucas

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