JobSeeker…Don’t Get Me Started

Written by Andrew, an Anti-Poverty Network SA member:

The JobSeeker Allowance…where do I begin…I first encountered it in 2013, and have been stuck with it ever since, except for irregular stints when I’ve been fortunate enough to get work (and never via the obligatory Job Agencies ).

Like many people whose circumstances changed, and have had to rely on Income Support to survive, I first did a budget, to work out what I could go without. Subscription services were obvious costs to get the chop. Then I looked at my Private Health Insurance. I have it because I have a chronic illness that will eventually require major surgery.

I don’t want to be stuck on a year’s long waiting list in the Public System, and I want to keep some of the pressure off it by using the Private System. 

I did consider dropping it altogether, but with it I’m covered for General Dental. Better to get regular check-ups, rather than ignore everything then face a colossal bill in the future. I’m also covered for Optical, but don’t get new glasses every year, only if needed. My current glasses are old, and the lenses are covered in fine scratches.

I’m in the fortunate position of owning my home outright, due to a small inheritance, and a near-death experience, involving myself on a bicycle, and a very bad driver.

I still have Strata Fees to pay, plus the usual costs of home ownership, such as maintenance. Some things are on the one-day-list.

My winter electricity bill usually doubles, due to heating costs. Now I just wear more layers, so typical winter clothing is a long sleeved t-shirt, Hoodie , Jacket over my Hoodie, and a Beanie.

It’s colder inside than outside sometimes, Australian homes aren’t well insulated, heat is lost.

In summer the reverse happens, my house heats up and stays hot. My bedroom is upstairs, it gets  too hot to be comfortable, sleeping becomes a challenge. I have an old portable evaporative cooler that gets a fair workout during summer. It’s old, I’m careful with it, but all appliances eventually fail.

Food costs: I try tricks to keep the bill low, such as shopping near closing time, when items can be reduced. The disadvantage  is that shelves can be empty by the end of the day. My weekly bill varies, sometimes I buy items in bulk, such as laundry liquid, then use half as much.

My health is already not great, I’m in alot of pain, and can’t afford preventative treatment such as physio or chiro. I sleep poorly, partly due to the pain, partly due to the stress of trying to “live” on an inadequate income.

If “Mutual Obligations” and the whole Job Network Provider system was effective, clients would be working, and only relying on Income Support briefly, which would be good for everyone.

It doesn’t work, I’m living proof of it, over 10 years and no job, part time/full time/casual. 

And why? Because my medical condition is so rare that Centrelink doesn’t know what it is, and none of the DES Providers knows what it is.

It’s very simple, I had Perthes disease as a child, which affects the hip joint. I had surgery, titanium pins put into my bones, then a full lower body plaster cast to immobilise the joint and keep it in position. I was unable to walk, it was very difficult. I remember the day the cast was finally cut off, then I had to learn to walk again, because my leg muscles were wasted from not walking. I am left with a shorter right leg, and  patients usually develop early onset Osteoarthritis in their 40’s, as I have done.

Eventually I’ll need a Total Hip Replacement, a major operation.

But for the time being, getting suitable work is extremely difficult. It is not obvious, people assume I’m healthy, can’t understand why I’m not working, but also have never heard of Perthes disease, and my former Manager told me I was “making it up”.

I have applied for the Disability Support Pension, but the eligibility tweaking by John Howard ( no relation) has actually served to exclude people like me.

I do want to work, to get off the Centrelink circus, and not be beholden to people who don’t understand my unique circumstances. 

The JobSeeker Allowance is too low: people cannot afford basics, their quality of life is reduced, their health, long-term, is poorer, all of which will cost more in the future. 

Am I attractive to a potential employer? Yes I have unique skills, yes I have experience, no I wouldn’t pass a Medical, I’ve done one for Australia Post, didn’t meet their requirements. There are Rebates available for employers who employ people like me.

Doesn’t work, they don’t want the risk.

So I’m essentially stuck, and the schemes and systems set up to help us don’t work, otherwise we’d be working. 

The Federal Budget never helps us, year in year out, just token gestures, a slight increase, which doesn’t help when everything is a big increase.

Politicians should speak to us, see first hand how we have to live, what we have to go without, while they get pay increases on top of their six-figure incomes. 

FOR SHAME!!”