Stroke Survivor living on $0!!!!!! Help?

Hi There Mark,

It probably doesnt help you feel any better but I at 64 now , had my stroke at 59 years of age and havent been able to work for the past 5 1/2 years and have not been paid a cent by the people from Centrelink or the Government of Australia. Yes I am born and bred Australian and have worked all my life. Thank heavens I have a very supportive partner and carer.

If you're unable to work, that means you must have disability as a result of  your stroke.

If you've worked all your life are you getting superannuation ? If so, ask if you should be getting the difference between your Superannuation pension and a Disability Pension from Centrelink. If you have a partner who works, the combined amount of money coming in must be  taken into account. I'm just a stroke survivor, not a social worker at Centrelink, so do ask them.

Thanks so much for your comments. I must stop getting frustrated by the situation, but when I was young I was told that "Government" are there to help look after the sick, the elderley etc. Not true. Take care.

Thanks Pat also for your comment. I though that as I am only 46 now I didn't think I could get my super early. No-one has suggested this before. I'll will put up with the 30+ minutes wait on the phone to Centrelink to confirm. Thanks!

Hi Mark,

you are right. You have to reach preservation age (generally 65 yrs) to be able to cash out superannuation. aPRA regulations has it that one should meet a condition of release before you become eligible to cash out super. You can check what these conditions are at the ATO website.couple of others are permanent incapacity and temporary incapacity.I used to work for a big bank before I had my stroke 3 yrs ago at the age of 46, so please pardon my financial industry lingo.I too was born overseas but am an Australian citizen now. nevertheless do not get a dollar from the Australian government. My ipad is running low on charge.will complete my reply when it's reasonably charged. Take care

Thanks Mahila.  Hopefully I've got a few more years of working in me - about 20 years. So I don't really don't want to use my super at this stage - and here's me thinking that the Australian government would help. Silly me :-((

Hello there Mark,

it's again as promised, re Centrelink, my husband and I did have a crack at this avenue as I have been out of work for 3 yrs now, and you would agree every dollar counts. My husband works for Woolies- nothing flash;yet Centrelink told us I do not qualify for the disability pension as they consider the household income for this and I do receive Income Protection payments which is treated as income. My husband applied as a full-time carer which he is, other than when he's at work(evening-late night shifts, they pay him a fortnightly payment (careers allowance)which does not even cover the cost of the community care I receive for showering, dressing...etc weekly.Our circumstances maybe different.... I'm not sure if this helps.all the best Mark