ME/CFS and the DSP
Dear Department of Social Services,
Please proved any documentation such as but not limited to policy's, procedures, memos, emails that refer to how Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) also known as Chronic fatigue Syndrome (CFS) or Chronic Fatigue is evaluated against the elgablity criteria for the Disablity Support Pension and assists in guidance for representatives of the department to make a determination of if the condition has been "fully treated and stablised".
Please also relaese the numbers of people diagnosed with ME/CFS who are on the DSP for ME/CFS or another condition but also have me/cfs listed.
Yours faithfully,
Michelle O'Brien
Thank you for your email.
You have contacted the Freedom of Information (FOI) team of the Department
of Social Services (the department).
If your email relates to a Freedom of Information application made under
the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), the department
will respond to you as soon as practicable.
Further information about FOI is available on our website at:
[1]https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
This email address is for applications under the FOI Act only. The
department is unable to respond to non-FOI related enquiries sent to this
email address. Any correspondence received that is not an information
access request will not be responded to or forwarded. Should you have a
query unrelated to FOI, please complete our [2]online feedback, enquiry or
compliment form on our website or direct your email to
[3][email address]. Alternatively you can contact the department by
calling 1800 634 035.
With regards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information
Government and Executive Services
Department of Social Services
E: [4][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
2. https://www.dss.gov.au/contact/feedback-...
3. mailto:[email address]
4. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
Dear Ms O’Brien,
I refer to your email below (dated 23 August 2021). Kindly advise us
whether you are making a request for information under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982 (FOI application). If this is the case, please send
us an email stating that you are making an FOI application, and provide a
clear description of the documents you are seeking. A detailed description
of the documents will enable us to narrow the scope of our search and help
locate and identify these records.
Kindly provide / confirm the email address to which we can send your FOI
decision.
Yours sincerely,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information
Cabinet and FOI
Government and Executive Services
Department of Social Services
E: [1][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----Original Message-----
From: Michelle O'Brien <[2][FOI #7722 email]>
Sent: Monday, 23 August 2021 5:56 PM
To: FOI <[3][Department of Social Services request email]>
Subject: Freedom of Information request - ME/CFS and the DSP
Dear Department of Social Services,
Please proved any documentation such as but not limited to policy's,
procedures, memos, emails that refer to how Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)
also known as Chronic fatigue Syndrome (CFS) or Chronic Fatigue is
evaluated against the elgablity criteria for the Disablity Support Pension
and assists in guidance for representatives of the department to make a
determination of if the condition has been "fully treated and stablised".
Please also relaese the numbers of people diagnosed with ME/CFS who are on
the DSP for ME/CFS or another condition but also have me/cfs listed.
Yours faithfully,
Michelle O'Brien
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[4][FOI #7722 email]
Is [5][Department of Social Services request email] the wrong address for Freedom of Information requests
to Department of Social Services? If so, please contact us using this
form:
[6]https://www.righttoknow.org.au/change_re...
This request has been made by an individual using Right to Know. This
message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet.
More information on how Right to Know works can be found at:
[7]https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will
be delayed.
If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
2. mailto:[FOI #7722 email]
3. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
4. mailto:[FOI #7722 email]
5. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
6. https://www.righttoknow.org.au/change_re...
7. https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
Dear FOI,
I apploigise yes this is a request under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI application).
I am looking for any documents in the last 24 months that related to ME/CFS that are memmos, policys, procedures, emails, adivce sought on how the condition is assessed for the DSP.
Yours sincerely,
Michelle
Thank you for your email.
You have contacted the Freedom of Information (FOI) team of the Department
of Social Services (the department).
If your email relates to a Freedom of Information application made under
the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), the department
will respond to you as soon as practicable.
Further information about FOI is available on our website at:
[1]https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
This email address is for applications under the FOI Act only. The
department is unable to respond to non-FOI related enquiries sent to this
email address. Any correspondence received that is not an information
access request will not be responded to or forwarded. Should you have a
query unrelated to FOI, please complete our [2]online feedback, enquiry or
compliment form on our website or direct your email to
[3][email address]. Alternatively you can contact the department by
calling 1800 634 035.
With regards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information
Government and Executive Services
Department of Social Services
E: [4][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
2. https://www.dss.gov.au/contact/feedback-...
3. mailto:[email address]
4. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
Dear Michelle,
Thank you for your email below. Before we regard your email as an FOI
application under the FOI Act 1982 (section 15), could you kindly assist
by:
· providing a specific date range for the records requested
· clarifying if the records are personal to you or if they are of a
general nature
· clarifying what the acronyms referred to mean (acronyms can be
confusing and/or misinterpreted)
The further details you provide will assist in narrowing down the scope of
our search, and in identifying these records.
Should you need any assistance, please feel free to contact us at the
email address below.
Kind regards
Claire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information
Cabinet and FOI
Government and Executive Services
Department of Social Services
E: [1][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----Original Message-----
From: Michelle O'Brien <[FOI #7722 email]>
Sent: Wednesday, 25 August 2021 9:10 PM
To: FOI <[Department of Social Services request email]>
Subject: RE: Freedom of Information request - ME/CFS and the DSP
[SEC=OFFICIAL]
Dear FOI,
I apploigise yes this is a request under the Freedom of Information Act
1982 (FOI application).
I am looking for any documents in the last 24 months that related to
ME/CFS that are memmos, policys, procedures, emails, adivce sought on how
the condition is assessed for the DSP.
Yours sincerely,
Michelle
-----Original Message-----
Dear Ms O’Brien,
I refer to your email below (dated 23 August 2021). Kindly advise us
whether you are making a request for information under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982 (FOI application). If this is the case, please send
us an email stating that you are making an FOI application, and provide a
clear description of the documents you are seeking. A detailed description
of the documents will enable us to narrow the scope of our search and help
locate and identify these records.
Kindly provide / confirm the email address to which we can send your FOI
decision.
Yours sincerely,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information
Cabinet and FOI
Government and Executive Services
Department of Social Services
E: [1][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #7722 email]
This request has been made by an individual using Right to Know. This
message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet.
More information on how Right to Know works can be found at:
https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will
be delayed.
If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
Dear FOI,
· providing a specific date range for the records requested
the last 24 months from todays date.
· clarifying if the records are personal to you or if they are of a
general nature
the records requested are general in nature and not to be of any persons specific record
· clarifying what the acronyms referred to mean (acronyms can be
confusing and/or misinterpreted)
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)
Chronic fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
Disablity Support Pension (DSP)
Chronic Fatigue (CF)
Yours sincerely,
Michelle
Thank you for your email.
You have contacted the Freedom of Information (FOI) team of the Department
of Social Services (the department).
If your email relates to a Freedom of Information application made under
the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), the department
will respond to you as soon as practicable.
Further information about FOI is available on our website at:
[1]https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
This email address is for applications under the FOI Act only. The
department is unable to respond to non-FOI related enquiries sent to this
email address. Any correspondence received that is not an information
access request will not be responded to or forwarded. Should you have a
query unrelated to FOI, please complete our [2]online feedback, enquiry or
compliment form on our website or direct your email to
[3][email address]. Alternatively you can contact the department by
calling 1800 634 035.
With regards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information
Government and Executive Services
Department of Social Services
E: [4][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
2. https://www.dss.gov.au/contact/feedback-...
3. mailto:[email address]
4. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
Good afternoon
Freedom of Information Request FOI2122-016
Acknowledgement
I refer to your request under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI
Act) for access to documents. The following was your request.
“Please proved any documentation such as but not limited to policy's,
procedures, memos, emails that refer to how Myalgia Encephalomyelitis (ME)
also known as Chronic fatigue Syndrome (CFS) or Chronic Fatigue is
evaluated against the eligibility criteria for the Disability Support
Pension and assists in guidance for representatives of the department to
make a determination of if the condition has been "fully treated and
stabilised".
Please also release the numbers of people diagnosed with ME/CFS who are on
the DSP for ME/CFS or another condition but also have me/cfs listed”
We note the clarifications below as provided by you.
“providing a specific date range for the records requested
the last 24 months from todays date (Being 26 August 2019 to 26 August
2021)
Myalgia Encephalomyelitis (ME)
Chronic fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
disability Support Pension (DSP)”
If you disagree with this interpretation of your request, please let us
know in writing as soon as possible.
The department received your request on 25 August 2021 and the 30 day
statutory period for processing your request commenced from the day after
that date. You should therefore expect a decision from us by 25 September
2021. However, the period of 30 days may be extended if the department
needs to consult third parties or for other reasons. We will advise you if
this happens.
Where the documents within the scope of an FOI request include the
personal information of junior officers of the department or other
government agencies, the department’s practice is to not disclose that
information (eg, names, contact details). The names and contact details
of senior officers will generally be disclosed.
Please note that, with some exceptions (such as personal information),
documents released under the FOI Act may later be published online on the
department’s disclosure log
[1]https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
.
Partial Transfer of Request to Services Australia
We would also like to advise you that the following part of your request
would most likely be transferred to Services Australia.
“Please proved any documentation such as but not limited to policy's,
procedures, memos, emails that refer to how Myalgia Encephalomyelitis (ME)
also known as Chronic fatigue Syndrome (CFS) or Chronic Fatigue is
evaluated against the eligibility criteria for the Disability Support
Pension and assists in guidance for representatives of the department to
make a determination of if the condition has been "fully treated and
stabilised".
Under section 16(1) of the FOI Act, a department can transfer part of a
request if the requested document is not in the possession of the
department but is in the possession of another agency or if the subject
matter of the document is more closely connected with the functions of
another agency.
We will let you know as soon as we receive confirmation from Services
Australia regarding this partial transfer of your FOI request. The
transfer of your request does not affect the due date for completion of
your request. However, the statutory period of 30 days may be extended if
Services Australia needs to consult third parties or for other reasons.
This department will continue to process the remaining part of your
request.
If you have any questions, please feel free contact us. Our contact
details are provided below.
Yours sincerely
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information
Cabinet and FOI
Government and Executive Services
Department of Social Services
E: [2][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----Original Message-----
From: Michelle O'Brien <[FOI #7722 email]>
Sent: Thursday, 26 August 2021 2:53 PM
To: FOI <[Department of Social Services request email]>
Subject: RE: Freedom of Information request - ME/CFS and the DSP
[SEC=OFFICIAL]
Dear FOI,
· providing a specific date range for the records requested
the last 24 months from todays date.
· clarifying if the records are personal to you or if they are of a
general nature
the records requested are general in nature and not to be of any persons
specific record
· clarifying what the acronyms referred to mean (acronyms can be
confusing and/or misinterpreted)
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)
Chronic fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
Disablity Support Pension (DSP)
Chronic Fatigue (CF)
Yours sincerely,
Michelle
-----Original Message-----
Dear Michelle,
Thank you for your email below. Before we regard your email as an FOI
application under the FOI Act 1982 (section 15), could you kindly assist
by:
· providing a specific date range for the records requested
· clarifying if the records are personal to you or if they are of a
general nature
· clarifying what the acronyms referred to mean (acronyms can be
confusing and/or misinterpreted)
The further details you provide will assist in narrowing down the scope of
our search, and in identifying these records.
Should you need any assistance, please feel free to contact us at the
email address below.
Kind regards
Claire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information
Cabinet and FOI
Government and Executive Services
Department of Social Services
E: [1][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #7722 email]
This request has been made by an individual using Right to Know. This
message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet.
More information on how Right to Know works can be found at:
https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will
be delayed.
If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
2. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
Good afternoon,
We refer to our email of 1 September 2021, wherein we advised you of the
possibility of a transfer of the following part of your FOI access request
to Services Australia.
“Please proved any documentation such as but not limited to policy's,
procedures, memos, emails that refer to how Myalgia Encephalomyelitis (ME)
also known as Chronic fatigue Syndrome (CFS) or Chronic Fatigue is
evaluated against the eligibility criteria for the Disability Support
Pension and assists in guidance for representatives of the department to
make a determination of if the condition has been "fully treated and
stabilised".
We have been informed that Services Australia holds general guidance
material regarding the assessment of DSP, but does not hold any guidance
material specific to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Services Australia has informed us that they have operational blueprints,
that are publicly available, that you may find useful. Please refer to the
link below.
[1]http://operational.humanservices.gov.au/...
Please note that we are currently processing your FOI application in its
entirety. You should expect a decision from us by 25 September 2021.
Please feel free to contact us should you need any clarifications on your
FOI application. Our email address is provided below.
Kind regards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Claire
FOI Officer
Government Executive Services
Department of Social Services
E: [2][email address]
From: FOI <[Department of Social Services request email]>
Sent: Wednesday, 1 September 2021 4:54 PM
To: Michelle O'Brien <[FOI #7722 email]>; FOI
<[Department of Social Services request email]>
Subject: RE: Freedom of Information request - ME/CFS and the DSP
[SEC=OFFICIAL]
Good afternoon
Freedom of Information Request FOI2122-016
Acknowledgement
I refer to your request under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI
Act) for access to documents. The following was your request.
“Please proved any documentation such as but not limited to policy's,
procedures, memos, emails that refer to how Myalgia Encephalomyelitis (ME)
also known as Chronic fatigue Syndrome (CFS) or Chronic Fatigue is
evaluated against the eligibility criteria for the Disability Support
Pension and assists in guidance for representatives of the department to
make a determination of if the condition has been "fully treated and
stabilised".
Please also release the numbers of people diagnosed with ME/CFS who are on
the DSP for ME/CFS or another condition but also have me/cfs listed”
We note the clarifications below as provided by you.
“providing a specific date range for the records requested
the last 24 months from todays date (Being 26 August 2019 to 26 August
2021)
Myalgia Encephalomyelitis (ME)
Chronic fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
disability Support Pension (DSP)”
If you disagree with this interpretation of your request, please let us
know in writing as soon as possible.
The department received your request on 25 August 2021 and the 30 day
statutory period for processing your request commenced from the day after
that date. You should therefore expect a decision from us by 25 September
2021. However, the period of 30 days may be extended if the department
needs to consult third parties or for other reasons. We will advise you if
this happens.
Where the documents within the scope of an FOI request include the
personal information of junior officers of the department or other
government agencies, the department’s practice is to not disclose that
information (eg, names, contact details). The names and contact details
of senior officers will generally be disclosed.
Please note that, with some exceptions (such as personal information),
documents released under the FOI Act may later be published online on the
department’s disclosure log
[3]https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
.
Partial Transfer of Request to Services Australia
We would also like to advise you that the following part of your request
would most likely be transferred to Services Australia.
“Please proved any documentation such as but not limited to policy's,
procedures, memos, emails that refer to how Myalgia Encephalomyelitis (ME)
also known as Chronic fatigue Syndrome (CFS) or Chronic Fatigue is
evaluated against the eligibility criteria for the Disability Support
Pension and assists in guidance for representatives of the department to
make a determination of if the condition has been "fully treated and
stabilised".
Under section 16(1) of the FOI Act, a department can transfer part of a
request if the requested document is not in the possession of the
department but is in the possession of another agency or if the subject
matter of the document is more closely connected with the functions of
another agency.
We will let you know as soon as we receive confirmation from Services
Australia regarding this partial transfer of your FOI request. The
transfer of your request does not affect the due date for completion of
your request. However, the statutory period of 30 days may be extended if
Services Australia needs to consult third parties or for other reasons.
This department will continue to process the remaining part of your
request.
If you have any questions, please feel free contact us. Our contact
details are provided below.
Yours sincerely
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information
Cabinet and FOI
Government and Executive Services
Department of Social Services
E: [4][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----Original Message-----
From: Michelle O'Brien <[5][FOI #7722 email]>
Sent: Thursday, 26 August 2021 2:53 PM
To: FOI <[6][Department of Social Services request email]>
Subject: RE: Freedom of Information request - ME/CFS and the DSP
[SEC=OFFICIAL]
Dear FOI,
· providing a specific date range for the records requested
the last 24 months from todays date.
· clarifying if the records are personal to you or if they are of a
general nature
the records requested are general in nature and not to be of any persons
specific record
· clarifying what the acronyms referred to mean (acronyms can be
confusing and/or misinterpreted)
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)
Chronic fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
Disablity Support Pension (DSP)
Chronic Fatigue (CF)
Yours sincerely,
Michelle
-----Original Message-----
Dear Michelle,
Thank you for your email below. Before we regard your email as an FOI
application under the FOI Act 1982 (section 15), could you kindly assist
by:
· providing a specific date range for the records requested
· clarifying if the records are personal to you or if they are of a
general nature
· clarifying what the acronyms referred to mean (acronyms can be
confusing and/or misinterpreted)
The further details you provide will assist in narrowing down the scope of
our search, and in identifying these records.
Should you need any assistance, please feel free to contact us at the
email address below.
Kind regards
Claire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information
Cabinet and FOI
Government and Executive Services
Department of Social Services
E: [1][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[7][FOI #7722 email]
This request has been made by an individual using Right to Know. This
message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet.
More information on how Right to Know works can be found at:
[8]https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will
be delayed.
If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. http://operational.humanservices.gov.au/...
2. mailto:[email address]
3. https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
4. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
5. mailto:[FOI #7722 email]
6. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
7. mailto:[FOI #7722 email]
8. https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
Good afternoon,
Please find the attached decision and documents for FOI 2122-016.
Kind regards,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Claire
FOI Officer
Government Executive Services
Department of Social Services
E: [1][email address]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and
to Elders both past and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]