The learning, compliance, and psychological costs of applying for the Disability Support Pension

• DOI: 10.1111/1467-8500.12518
• Publication Date: 2021-10-21T10:22:18Z
• Authors: Alex Collie; Luke Sheehan; Ashley McAllister; Genevieve Grant
• Keywords: 05 social sciences; 0506 political science

Abstract The Disability Support Pension (DSP) provides financial support to more than 750,000 Australians with permanent physical, intellectual or psychiatric impairments that prevent them from engaging in employment. We sought characterise the information, compliance and psychological costs of applying for DSP. A cohort 518 DSP applicants recipients completed a questionnaire capturing medical, disability, benefit demographic data. also included an Administrative Burden (AB) scale was co‐developed disability advocates people lived experience processes. Most respondents reported high very scores on three sub‐scales assessing costs. In logistic regression models, greater across all scales. People poorer health‐related quality life, younger age less education higher costs, consistent observation inequitable distribution administrative burden AB theory. All scales had acceptable reliability. Study findings suggest find application process challenging stressful. These effects are pronounced who have applied those currently receiving DSP, lower human capital.