•FROCKTOBER•
 
It’s Halloween. And this is scary. 

There is no government support for people who suddenly get sick. The fair go for Australians doesn’t exist.

We need a safety net.

Sickness Allowance no longer exists. The Disability Support Pension doesn’t cover people who have cancer, unless they are terminal with a life expectancy of less than two years. People might be eligible for JobSeeker, but they may have to look for work (if they don’t get a medical certificate), and claiming JobSeeker depends on savings, income and assets. (I received JobSeeker for about six weeks,  only after I spent a lot of my savings.) There is no access to just a Health Care Card, even when costs of prescriptions and over the counter medication is mounting.

Even if someone has a primary disability, and it’s exacerbated by the cancer or cancer treatment, they still might not be eligible for the DSP. This was the case with me. And the NDIS also doesn’t cover people with cancer (or many disabled people).

Some people can cope with work while going through cancer treatment. Some people can’t afford not to work. And they have to juggle family caring responsibilities.  Many people have to draw on their savings and deplete their sick leave -if they have any. They may not have access to income protection insurance. Family members often provide financial support, and GoFundMes are set up – sometimes with embarrassment.

I had to stop work for a few weeks after surgery, and then during chemotherapy. I was able to return to my part time work while I was doing radiotherapy.  For many months, my income was about $220 a week.

While a lot of cancer treatment is free, prescriptions are not free, and the cost of living continues (and rises).

On this final day of Frocktober, I call on the government for better welfare supports for people who suddenly get sick with cancer and other serious illnesses – we need a Sickness Allowance and Health Care Card.

Because we should not have to stress about money during one of the most difficult times in our lives. 

Donate to OCRF: – thank you!

IDs: Carly in wedding dress at Bunnings.

The post Frocktober: calling for more government support for people who suddenly get sick first appeared on Carly Findlay.