Julie relies on the Disability Support Pension. She says if she takes the next step in her relationship with Simon, she will lose the pension, and therefore her independence.
She loves that he is well-read and smart, and that they share an appreciation for art and science. She loves that he brags about her to his friends, and randomly tells her that he loves her.But, Julie says she can't marry Simon. Nor can she move in with him.
"We just want to move into that next phase of our lives together but instead we're stuck in limbo," she said.The test for the "member of a couple" rule constitutes a series of checks, including completing domestic and/or financial tasks together, having an ongoing and/or sexual relationship and living together.
If a person on the DSP is deemed by the government to be partnered, their combined income cannot exceed $3,431 in any two-week period. This is a combined annual income of $89,206. "This issue really undermines the capacity of people with disability to escape from violent relationships, leading to people becoming imprisoned in those relationships."
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