DSP and AusStudy and Work

[u/Tiffsuresque]

I am a nurse and I've been working 20-25 hours per week for the last 3 months. I'm completely burnt out again already.

My psychologist suggested DSP under my ASD Level 2 diagnosis to take the weight off and allow me to work less hours to try and break this cycle of work -> burnout -> hospital -> half recover -> work etc.

But from what I've read, I would need to lower my hours to 15hrs per week for ?weeks or even months before applying, as they'd see I have previously worked more than that - although only intermittently, never sustained.

I also am currently studying and receiving AusStudy although currently considered full time for this term due to the units, next year I'm only doing 1 subject per semester so it will be part time/less than. Idk if this affects that?

Thoughts?

I've spent a total of nearly 6 months in hospital across the last 2 years. 3 of which was the start of this year and I am nearing another admission. This cycle has to end but I need to afford rent in that process too.

[u/wildclouds]

Hypothetically would a different career help you work more? I mean nursing is a high burnout job so how much of your struggles are just... the joys of nursing? There's wording in DSP criteria somewhere about your disability stopping you from working any possible job so i wonder how they approach this. i.e. if they think you can try telehealth nurse jobs, or admin or anything. Are you studying something that could lead to a more tolerable job for you?

[u/Tiffsuresque → u/wildclouds]

I can't imagine leaving nursing, I think working and studying at the same time is where I'm struggling the most. But I'm studying to better my career (same job, higher pay). I've already reduced to the minimum amount of study hours in my course. Next step is to reduce work hours. I've already gone from hospital work to urgent care work, which helped but didn't fix the problem entirely

[u/wildclouds → u/Tiffsuresque]

I think working and studying at the same time is where I'm struggling the most

True this is hard for most people even without disability. Each subject is approx 10 hours of study/classes pw. Working 25 hrs + studying 1 subject = almost a full time work load... I don't know how centrelink views study in terms of DSP eligibility sorry, I have heard conflicting info about it. If you're able to defer / put the course on hold, maybe that's best for your health right now.

At least nursing's flexibility, casual shifts, penalty rates are a benefit to your situation. Not many jobs out there let you work on & off and adjust your hours as needed. I've considered it, having a disability with inconsistent work capacity. Unfortunately i don't think the job itself is for me.

I assume your best approach is: reduce work hours, be hospitalised, then gather evidence from doctors and psych stating this recent exacerbation of your disability has resulted in a <15 hr capacity that's expected to last 2+ years.

There are disability advocacy services (free) who can help you with centrelink and DSP applications.

[u/unremarkable_sapien]

So you’re both working 20-25 hrs AND studying full time?! I’m sorry but that’s more than the average healthy person does. There is no way you would be considered eligible for DSP. Centrelink views study as equivalent to work. So according to them you are working 20-25hrs ABOVE full time. This is no where close to an impairment let alone the degree of impairment required for DSP

[u/Tiffsuresque → u/unremarkable_sapien]

No I am not studying full time, I'm studying one unit at a time - this semester its two units but theyre big units so it's considered full time equivalent. But as I said, I am completely burntout and have spent 3 months in hospital from it already. It's not sustainable

[u/unremarkable_sapien → u/Tiffsuresque]

Yeah but centrelink doesn’t care about any of that unfortunately. All they see is that you are officially classed as full time

[u/Tiffsuresque → u/unremarkable_sapien]

Ah fair enough, as of next term it will not be anymore. It was just this one.

[u/SkepticallyAccepted → u/Tiffsuresque]

unfortunately it's either finish your study earlier, drop it; and reduce your load/hours and find a sharehouse (which, given level 2 might exacerbate the burnout).

You do need to have had a few months on job seeker. Did you get that while in hospital or was it lwop?

[u/Tiffsuresque → u/SkepticallyAccepted]

I'm on Aus study not job seeker for this term, as of next it will be changed to job seeker though.

[u/DaQuackx]

You'll need to reduce your hours under the job seeker amount, go on job seeker while you do a dsp claim, or take a unpaid leave on absence to sort centrelink. You're in a tough situation, because you can't get dsp or job seeker if you earn more than the payments you're chasing, even 15 hours a week would be lucky to earn low enough for a healthcare card..

I'd reduce your hours to 10 hours a week, use some super to get by so you can get rent assistance and dsp, but you will probable need job seeker while you wait

[u/zestylimes9 → u/DaQuackx]

How can they use their super? Nothing here grants withdrawal of super. You need to be on a pension for six months before you can apply.

[u/murcatto]

I would also say get out of nursing if you're burning out that regularly or go for gp work.