Zeth
Content Warning: These stories are about violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation and may include references to suicide or self-harming behaviours. They may contain graphic descriptions and strong language and may be distressing. Some narratives may be about First Nations people who have passed away. If you need support, please see Contact & support.
Zeth, late teens, has intellectual disability.
He lives alone and has no family support. ‘[He is] a fully independent person,’ his advocate Sammy told the Royal Commission.
Zeth grew up in foster care. At 17, his foster placement ended.
Zeth moved to supported accommodation with other people with disability.
He struggled to adjust and became determined to live on his own.
Zeth accessed a rent subsidy scheme and moved to a small studio flat. But his rent subsidy ends soon, putting him at risk of being homeless.
Zeth isn’t eligible for a full Disability Support Pension (DSP) until he turns 21.
Even with the rent subsidy, he struggles to cover basic and essential needs, such as food, electricity and warm clothes during the colder months. He is often behind on bills, despite his efforts to budget.
‘This causes [Zeth] great stress,’ Sammy said, ‘as he is often concerned about making ends meet, and has no savings or safety net to fall back on.’
Zeth and Sammy believe he should be entitled to the same rate of DSP as a 21-year-old.
‘This would afford him a greater sense of financial security and more opportunity to participate actively in community.’
Zeth says there is no difference between the way he is living independently and the way someone 21 years or older lives independently.
‘Measures of independence, and not chronological age, [should] determine the rate of pay a young person receives on the DSP,’ Sammy said.
The public trustee became Zeth’s guardian when he turned 18.
‘This arrangement adds further stress,’ Sammy said.
Utilities often threaten to cut services because the public trustee hasn’t paid the bill.
If Zeth needs additional money, he has to contact the trustee. Recently, he needed medicine.
He emailed the trustee and received an automated response. When he rang, they took 10 days to respond.
This was too late – Zeth had to ration food to afford the medicine.
Zeth wants the government to compel the public trustee to respond to requests in a more urgent manner.
He believes there should be a more personal approach.
‘If a representative from the [public trustee] was to come and speak to [Zeth], to establish a relationship with him, build rapport and trust, this would greatly increase his confidence in interfacing with the organisation itself,’ Sammy said.
Disclaimer: This is the story of a person who shared their personal experience with the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability through a submission or private session. The names in this story are pseudonyms. The person who shared this experience was not a witness and their account is not evidence. They did not take an oath or affirmation before providing the story. Nothing in this story constitutes a finding of the Royal Commission. Any views expressed are those of the person who shared their experience, not of the Royal Commission.