Centrelink is an Australian Government statutory agency, delivering a range of Commonwealth services to the Australian community.

Centrelink assists people to become self-sufficient and supports those in need.

Disability Support Pension

You may get Disability Support Pension if you are unable to work for 2 years because of illness, injury or disability, or if you are permanently blind.

For further information about eligibility, payment rates and how to claim go to:

http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/payments/disability_support.htm

Mobility Allowance

Mobility Allowance assists people with disabilities who are involved in qualifying activities and cannot use public transport without substantial assistance.

Qualifying activities may include looking for work, or any combination of paid employment, voluntary work, vocational training and independent living or life skills training.

Note: You do not need to get any other payments from Centrelink to qualify for Mobility Allowance. Mobility Allowance is not income or assets tested and is a non-taxable payment.

For further information about eligibility, payment rates and how to claim go to:

http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/payments/mobility.htm

Youth Disability Supplement

Youth Disability Supplement provides extra assistance to young people aged under 21 years of age with a disability.

For further information about eligibility, payment rates and how to claim go to:

http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/payments/disability_supplement.htm

Centrelink Senior Customer Service Advisers

Who are Centrelink Senior Customer Service Advisers?

Centrelink Senior Customer Service Advisers provide assistance for people with disabilities, illnesses and injuries and for parents who are considered to be at a higher risk of welfare dependence. They also provide coaching and mentoring to generalist Customer Service Advisers to ensure that people with disabilities, illnesses and injuries have access to appropriate services and support options.

What do Centrelink Senior Customer Service Advisers do?

Centrelink Senior Customer Service Advisers:

• provide help by giving advice and linking people to services that may be able to assist them
• have an in-depth knowledge of the challenges people with disabilities or parents face and how they can affect work capacity
• have expert knowledge about the local and general labour market - their primary focus is to help customers return to or commence work by assessing and advising customers about appropriate options, referring customers to employment services and helping customers gain access to services such as education, training and vocational rehabilitation
• help customers who have special needs by linking them to local organisations appropriate to their individual circumstances or by referring them to other specialist officers within Centrelink such as Social Workers or Indigenous Service Officers who work closely with community groups to raise awareness of disability or parenting issues and how Centrelink can help
• refer people to other organisations that can help with non-work related issues
• work closely with community groups to raise awareness of disability or parenting issues and how Centrelink can help
• are available to speak to community organisations about Centrelink Services and payments for people with a disability or parents.

Job Capacity Assessment

The Job Capacity Assessment is a comprehensive assessment of an individual's ability to work. The assessment involves identification of any barriers to employment and any assistance that may be required to help them overcome those barriers. For people with medical conditions or disabilities, the assessment also identifies their current and future work capacity. Information provided by individuals will be used by a Job Capacity Assessor to complete this assessment, to assist in determining the appropriate type and level of support that the individual requires.

As a result of this assessment, individuals may be referred to either Job Services Australia or a Disability Employment Service, depending on the level of help required.

For more information

• Telephone Centrelink on 13 2717
• Visit your nearest Centrelink Customer Service Centre.

Centrelink Customer Service Centres
To find your nearest Centrelink Office go to the link below:

http://centrelink.findnearest.com.au/findnearest.asp?groupid=931

Centrelink Service and Payments Numbers:

Contacting Centrelink direct via your TTY

If you are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment use this service to contact Centrelink.  A TTY phone is required to use this service.

National Relay Service

If you are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment and require the National Relay Service for assistance use this service to contact Centrelink.

We would like to acknowledge the Centrelink website as the source for this information.

This project is funded by the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations under the National Disability Coordination Officer Program. The views expressed in these materials are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.