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

This matter concerned an application for a Disability Support Pension (DSP) by Mr Ronaldson against the Secretary of the Department of Social Services. The dispute centred on whether Mr Ronaldson qualified for the DSP during the relevant period of 14 September 2017 to 14 December 2017. The decision was made by Ms Anna Burke AO.

The legal issues before the court were whether Mr Ronaldson suffered from an impairment that attracted a rating of 20 points or more under the Impairment Tables, and whether he had undertaken a program of support. To qualify for the DSP, a person must suffer from an impairment and that impairment must rate 20 points or more under the Impairment Tables, or they must have completed a program of support.

The court found that while Mr Ronaldson suffered from several medical conditions including cardiomyopathy/congestive cardiac failure, bilateral inguinal hernia, and substance abuse, these conditions did not attract the required 20 impairment points during the qualifying period. The court noted that the conditions were not considered fully treated and stabilised within that period, which was a prerequisite for assigning impairment points under the Impairment Tables. Furthermore, Mr Ronaldson had not completed a program of support.

Consequently, the Tribunal affirmed the decision under review, finding that Mr Ronaldson did not meet all the requirements for eligibility for the DSP.