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Supported Living Payment : Contents

Deciding permanence and severity from a medical certificate

Permanently restricted

Permanently restricted means the health condition, injury or disability is expected to impact on the client's capacity for work for at least 2 years, or they have been diagnosed with a terminal illness (the client is not expected to live more than 2 years).

MSD should consider information on the client's:

  • diagnoses - the client's main health conditions or disabilities and any relevant secondary health conditions or disabilities
  • prognosis - the likely rate of improvement of the client's condition and its impact on their capacity for work. The medical certificate will indicate when, and to what extent, the client is capable of undertaking employment or what accommodation, supports or services are required
  • indication of permanence - whether the client's incapacity for work will last longer than 2 years. If a person is terminally ill and provides a medical certificate, the registered medical practitioner, nurse practitioner or psychologist will generally indicate the person is receiving or would qualify for palliative services where their life expectancy is less than 2 years. Palliative services focus on managing symptoms of a disease rather than seeking a cure

Severely restricted

Severely restricted means the client cannot regularly work 15 hours or more per week, in open employment. Open employment is employment other than sheltered employment.

For more information see:

Legislation

  • Supported living payment: on ground of restricted work capacity or total blindness: requirements section 34-36 Social Security Act 2018
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