Inner South Parents and Friends

"The Mental Health Council of Australia (MHCA) has had an issue brought to their attention regarding breaches occurring for people on income support, which is particularly affecting people with mental illness.

Under the Welfare to Work legislation a Job Capacity Assessment (JCA) is required to assess the ability to work of people on income support. This includes a range of income support payments including Disaiblity Support Pension (DSP)...

Through the JCA, a person may be referred for short term psychological treatment if it is considered that this treatment would asssist them to participate in Job network. Such a referral should be voluntary. MHCA has received information that people who agree to and are referred for treatment but do not attend their appointment are being subject to participation reports and incurring a breach penalty. This can include an income support non-payment period of eight weeks.

The Social Security Act states that a person cannot be compelled to have medical treatment. MHCA would like to hear from Mental Fellowship members if they know of anyone who has had this happen to them. If anyone has had this happen, it would be useful to know the exact reason outlined to them for the breach action.

Please contact Amanda on 02 6285 0808 or amanda.bresnan@mhca.org.au. "

Article from mi voice Winter 2007 no. 106