Social Security

Social Security Links Centrelink - your first stop for Social Security issues. Impairment Tables - used to assess a person applying for the Disability Support Pension.

Table 20 - Disability Support Pension Impairment Tables. TABLE 20. MISCELLANEOUS - MALIGNANCY, HYPERTENSION, HIV INFECTION, MORBID OBESITY (ie BMI >40), HEART/LIVER/KIDNEY TRANSPLANTS, MISCELLANEOUS EAR/NOSE/THROAT CONDITIONS & CHRONIC FATIGUE OR PAIN Table 20 can be used for miscellaneous conditions, for example, malignancy, HIV infection, morbid obesity, transplants, miscellaneous ear/nose/throat conditions, disorders with chronic fatigue (including Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) or pain and hypertension. Where there is a separate loss of function, in addition to the loss which can be rated using the system-specific Tables, Table 20 can be used. Double-counting of a particular loss of function, by the use of more than one Table, must be avoided. Rating Criteria NIL Controlled hypertension Malignancy in remission with a good to fair prognosis Minor symptoms which are easily tolerated and have no appreciable effect on ability to work. TEN Mild to moderate symptoms which are irritating or unpleasant but which rarely prevent completion of any activity. Symptoms may cause loss of efficiency in daily activities but minimal interference performing or persisting with work-related tasks. There is minimal effect/impact on work attendance. Hypertension that is difficult to control despite intensive therapy but without end-organ damage. Potentially life-threatening condition which is currently not interfering with daily activities eg. Malignancy in remission with a poor prognosis Heart/Liver/Kidney transplants - well controlled (well functioning) with only mild systemic symptoms. FIFTEEN Moderate to severe symptoms which are more distressing but prevent few everyday activities. Self-care is unaffected and independence is retained. Symptoms may have mild to moderate impact on ability to perform or persist with work-related tasks and/or attend work. Full-time work would still be possible. Potentially life-threatening condition which is currently interfering with daily activities but self-care is unaffected. TWENTY More severe symptoms with a decreased ability/efficiency to carry out many everyday activities. Most daily activities can be completed with some difficulty. Symptoms may prevent or lead to avoidance of some daily tasks and simple tasks will usually aggravate symptoms of fatigue. Symptoms cause significant interference with ability to perform or persist with work-related tasks. Symptoms may cause prolonged absences from work. THIRTY Very severe symptoms which lead to substantial difficulty with most daily tasks. Assistance with elements of self-care may be required. Symptoms cause severe interference with ability to work or attend work (ie. minimal residual work capacity). Heart/Liver/Kidney transplants - poorly controlled (poorly functioning) with fairly severe symptoms which lead to substantial difficulty with most daily tasks Malignant hypertension - severe, uncontrolled Inoperable, symptomatic and life-threatening aneurysm or malignancy. Very poor prognosis with only a very limited lifespan. FORTY Major restrictions in many everyday activities. Capacity for self-care is restricted, leading to dependence on others. No residual work capacity.