Chok and Secretary, Department of Social Services (Social services second review)

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal considered the application of Ms Chok for a disability support pension, which had been refused by the Secretary of the Department of Social Services. The dispute centred on whether Ms Chok’s various medical conditions met the criteria for the pension.

The Tribunal was required to determine whether Ms Chok’s multiple medical conditions, including a thyroid condition, mental health issues, and a spinal condition, were fully diagnosed, treated, and stabilised. Furthermore, the Tribunal had to assess whether the impairments arising from these conditions resulted in a rating of 20 points or more under the relevant Impairment Tables.

The Tribunal affirmed the decision under review, finding that Ms Chok’s conditions did not meet the necessary threshold for the disability support pension. The decision noted that if Ms Chok’s circumstances change in the future, she retains the right to submit a new application for the pension.