Transferring to Disability Support Pension (DSP) (Blind) 008-03010040

• Yes, go to Step 2
• No, the customer cannot transfer from their current benefit to DSP (Blind). They must apply for DSP on the basis of permanent blindness. They will be subject to normal eligibility criteria, but without a continuing inability to work (CITW) requirement. Procedure ends here

Does the customer have a medical report from an:

• Ophthalmologist
• Optometrist that refers to an Ophthalmologist report, or
• an Association for the Blind report that refers to an Ophthalmologist report?
• Yes, go to Step 3
• No, issue the Request for Ophthalmologist Report (SA013) form. Record a manual follow-up for its return. Procedure ends here

On receipt of the medical form or report, does the customer qualify for DSP (Blind)?

For help, see Assessing permanent blindness.

• Yes, go to Step 4
• No, a Q999 must be issued advising the customer they do not meet the criteria for blind pension and they will continue to receive DSP. Include the Appeal paragraph in the letter. See Resources page for link to Q999 text
• Record the assessment details in a DOC. See Resources page for proposed DOC text
• Procedure ends here

A customer does not need to disclose their income and assets if they are in receipt of DSP (Blind), except in the following circumstances:

• They want to get Rent Assistance (RA)
• They have a partner who is on or applying for an income support payment (other than Blind). Details of customer’s income and assets are needed to determine their partner’s eligibility

Action the transfer. To do this in:

• Process Direct, see Table 2
• Customer First, see Table 3

Access the customers record via Customer Summary

• Go to the Pension Disability Information (PDI) screen
• Update the following fields:

Continuing inability to work (CITW)

• Select Add

CITW/Blind residence event date. Key the later date out of:

• the date the customer requested the transfer to blind
• the date of eligibility

Note: this is normally the date the SA013 was lodged

CITW/Blind Residence

Select:

• AUS - if the permanent blindness occurred while the customer was a resident of Australia
• OVE - if the permanent blindness occurred while the customer was a resident of another country (not Australia)

Note: if customers are assessed as BLI, NOT cannot be used. Where an assessment of where the customer’s permanent blindness occurred has not been made (because the customer has at least 10 years Australian Residence or a Qualifying Residence Exemption) - code the CITW/Blind Residence field as: AUS.

• Select Save
• Key the Receipt Date and Channel
• Select and Save

Pension disability information

• Select Add
• Event Date. use the same date as recorded in the CITW field
• Blind Indicator. Select Y - Yes
• Independent Living Code. Select the appropriate option
• Blind Income and Assets Exempt. Select:
• Y - Yes for income not declared. The pension will be limited to the basic rate plus supplement
• N - No for income and asset declared

Note: income and assets details are needed if the customer wishes to claim Rent Assistance or if they have a partner, who is not blind, and receiving or claiming a payment.

Check the Accommodation (AC) screen has current details recorded and get verification of rent details if needed.

• For help coding the Blind - Income and Asset exempt field, see Income and assets tests for blind customers
• Severely disabled code. Select Y-Yes, Severely Disabled
• Select Save

Go to Step 2 to code the MC screen, before selecting ‘Assess’.

Manifest eligibility due to permanent blindness must be coded on the Medical Condition (MC) screen. The Event Date must be the same as PDI.

Note: a new MC entry can not be coded in PD, unless there is a provisional PDI coded first.

• Key ‘MC’ in the Super Key field, select Enter
• The Medical Assessment screen will display
• Select the Add icon
• The Create Medical Assessment window will display
• Update the following fields:
• Event Date: enter the relevant date (the Event Date must be the same as PDI)
• Assigning Professional: use the dropdown field to select the relevant option
• Specialist Name: enter Specialist details
• Select Save
• The new Medical Assessment line will appear on the MC screen. Select to expand the line
• Update the Medical Condition section:
• Medical Condition Code: use the dropdown field to select condition. Enter the condition listed on the SA013, e.g. Glaucoma, or use Blind both eyes - (BLB)
• Incapacity type by code: use the dropdown field to select PRM - PERMANENT
• Select Save
• Update the Manifest Condition section:
• Manifest Condition code: select BLI
• The Mnfst Elig Ind field update to Y
• Select Save
• Select Assess and address any errors/warnings
• Select Assess again, then select Finish
• Add notes in the Finalisation DOC/Note
• Record a separate DOC/Note regarding the DSB grant. See Resources page for the recommended text
• If there is an open scan for the SA013/medical evidence, this can be closed
• Check the MC coding is appearing correctly as BLI in Customer First/Customer Record. Where previous manifest coding exists, such as NHM, INT, or an old conversion code, such as MNF, this code can be replicated in later MC entries
• Attempt to contact the customer to advise of DSB grant. Advise the customer they can choose to receive their letters from Centrelink in an accessible format

While in the customer's record, go to the Pension Disability Information (PDI) screen to update the Blind status. Code the following fields:

• Event Date: (for CITW/Blind Residence) is the date the customer requested the transfer to Blind or the date of eligibility, whichever is later
• CITW/Blind Residence:
• 'AUS' if a continuing inability to work while in Australia
• 'OVE' if a continuing inability to work while overseas

Note: if customers are assessed as BLI, NOT cannot be used. Where an assessment of where the customer’s permanent blindness occurred has not been made (because the customer has at least 10 years Australian Residence or a Qualifying Residence Exemption) - code the CITW/Blind Residence field as: AUS.

• Event Date: (for the other blind status fields) is also the date the customer requested the transfer to Blind or the date of eligibility, whichever is later
• Blind Indicator: Yes
• Blind - Income & Assets Exempt:
• Yes, for income and assets not declared. The pension will be limited to the basic rate plus supplement
• No, for income and assets declared. If the customer wishes to claim an additional payment, for example Rent Assistance, or if they have a partner also on a payment or claiming a payment who is not blind, then income and assets need to be declared. Check the Accommodation (AC) screen has current details recorded and get verification of rent details if needed. The customer will receive income and asset reviews just like any other pensioner
• Source: and DOR:
• Action: 'I'
• Severely Disabled Code: Yes

Go to Step 2 to code MC, before finalising the activity.

Manifest eligibility due to permanent blindness must be coded on the Medical Condition (MC) screen. The Event Date must be the same as PDI

• Type MCSS into next and select enter
• Type MC into next and select enter
• Event Date: key enter the relevant date, this must be the same date as the one coded on the PDI screen
• Manifest Code: select BLI
• Assigning Professional:
• Specialist Name:
• Telephone:
• Manifest Eligibility Indicator field will automatically display as ‘Y’ when the manifest code is entered. '
• Medical Conditions: enter the condition as listed on the SA013, e.g. Glaucoma, or use - Blind both eyes - (BLB)
• Finalise the activity
• The Assessment Results (AR) screen may not indicate the transfer to DSP (Blind) has occurred. When the activity is finalised the Benefit Status Line will show DSB/CUR
• Record the assessment outcome in a DOC. See Resources page for DOC text
• If there is an open scan for the SA013/medical evidence, this can be closed
• Check the MC coding is appearing correctly as BLI. Where previous manifest coding exists, such as NHM, INT, or an old conversion code, such as MNF, this code can be replicated in later MC entries
• Attempt to contact the customer to advise of DSB grant. Advise the customer they can choose to receive their letters from Centrelink in an accessible format