Disability Groups Weary as DSP Appeals Skyrocket

Published 25th February 2019

Disability advocates are deeply concerned by an almost 80 per cent increase in Disability Support Pension appeals, warning that vulnerable people are being incorrectly forced onto lower benefit payments.

Administrative Appeals Tribunal officials revealed during Senate estimates this week that from July to December 2018, there had been 2,672 appeals lodged related to the DSP – a 77 per cent increase compared to the same period the previous year.

Senators heard there had been a 75 per cent increase in appeals relating to the National Disability Insurance Scheme, as well as a 41 per cent increase in Newstart appeals and a 34 per cent increase in Youth Allowance appeals.

Greens Senator Rachel Siewert said this spike in appeals was due to successive governments making it harder and harder for people to access social security payments such as the DSP.

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Source:
Luke Michael, 2019, Probono Australia (https://probonoaustralia.com.au/)