ANOTHER GOVERNMENT RIP OFF!

Friday, January 23, 2009

Blind woman claims Government has ripped her off over compo
LOSING out ... Queensland grandmother Anita Dawson's
pension was cut after she won compensation.
THE Rudd Government has been accused of ripping off a blind
woman by cutting her pension to claw back money awarded to
her in compensation.
Anita Dawson, 54, was recently awarded Government compensation
after she was injured while working at a Queensland TAFE. But before
the money could even be deposited into her bank account, the
Government had helped itself to $30,000 - the equivalent of two years'
pension.
In a second stinging blow, Mrs Dawson was told she was also
being stripped of her pension for a further two years thanks to her
winning a six-figure compensation payout."I was told by the Government
that they couldn't have me double dipping into workers' compensation
funds and the pension pot," she said."They said I shouldn't think I'm
any different to anyone else just because I have a disability."I find it just
absolutely appalling. It is just a way for the Government to get away
with not paying me the compensation I am owed for the accident.
"Grandmother Mrs Dawson, of New Beith, south of Brisbane,
previously received $565 a fortnight from the Centrelink pension,
which is not supposed to be income tested.Without it she is unable
to claim pharmaceutical benefits, mobility allowance, up to 40 per
cent off her rates bill, and discounts on public transport and taxis.
Her pension will not automatically be restored to her in two years.
Instead she will have to undergo painful tests to determine whether
she remains eligible.Requests for help from the Government and
Centrelink officers have fallen on deaf ears.
Yesterday she was reduced to tears after speaking to a public servant
from Community Services Minister Jenny Macklin's office.
The department refused to comment when contacted by The Courier-Mail.
A spokeswoman for Centrelink described the situation as a "policy matter"
and said that although the blind pension was not income tested, compensation
payments had to be taken into account when pensions were issued.
Mrs Dawson's former husband Lee is disgusted."The Government is
ripping off a blind woman," he said. "It's nothing short of victimisation.
"Details of Mrs Dawson's accident and compensation amount cannot be
revealed for legal reasons but Mrs Dawson said it was a low six-figure
sum.
Picture: Glenn BarnesArticle: By Hannah Davies - Courier MailJanuary 06, 2009
WCV's: This is so typical of the Government! How blind do you need to be?
Centrelink recuperate what they have paid to any injured
worker or TAC victims from any compensation payments, so you lose out
again, by having to repay part of what you would have earned had you not
been injured and still able to work, then you have to give up part of your
compo as well. Does this ever end?
Don't get injured at work readers because if you do, your life will be totally
stuffed,you will have no job and no ability to work, and your income will be
reduced to the poverty line levels by the DSP or sickness
benefits and you will be treated like a leper by many, and that's the reality
of a workplace injury!
This is not a way of life nor is it a living, so to all of those who judge injured
workers, "up yours" and "get a life" because injured workers are not enjoying
themselves here or is it a lifestyle, they are suffering at the hands of all they
encounter, so readers next time you are speaking to someone who is injured,
take a minute to walk in their shoes, before you judge them.
Posted by Workcover Victims Victoria at 7:44 PM
Labels: Government, injured workers

Source:( Courtesy of Jo WCB)


Comment by PDM
Jo well said.
This is the ultimate rip off.. who are we really fighting for.. we fight for survival on welfare and struggle to live. FORCED to utelise the welfare system and live like this, then if we are lucky enough to fight for justice in a court and actually get any form of compensation the reality is the Government dips into any previous payment you have received and TAKES FROM YOUR fight!
Yet we are fighting against the Government in court!
Against all odds we lose out.
Not that the payments are anywhere based in what we would be able to earn before we are injured!
So why is it that the Government bothers to fight us so much? If they are in a win win situation?
BECAUSE THEY CAN!
IT FILLS ME WITH DISGUST!

So the next time you think about stomping on another human being who has had their life devastated beyond any logical understanding, begging to survive.. THINK AGAIN!