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

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal considered a claim by Mr Watkins for a Disability Support Pension, which had been rejected by the Secretary of the Department of Social Services. The dispute centred on whether Mr Watkins' medical conditions were fully diagnosed, treated, and stabilised during the relevant qualification period, and if those conditions attracted an impairment rating of at least 20 points.

The Tribunal was required to determine if Mr Watkins' mental health condition met the criteria for a Disability Support Pension, specifically whether it was sufficiently diagnosed, treated, and stabilised during the assessment period to warrant an impairment rating. The Tribunal also had to consider whether the conditions, if met, would attract the necessary points threshold for the pension.

The Tribunal found that the evidence did not support a conclusion that Mr Watkins' mental health was sufficiently treated and stabilised during the assessment period to allow for an impairment rating. However, acknowledging that Mr Watkins was receiving ongoing specialist psychiatric support and had been referred for further psychological treatment, the Tribunal indicated he could lodge a new claim if he provided current information regarding the treatment and status of his mental health condition. The decision under review was affirmed.