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A young Aussie dad is unable to receive Centrelink benefits while he is bedridden and undergoing daily kidney dialysis, due to a stunning policy technicality.
Brendan Smith, 35, from the Hunter Valley, New South Wales, is facing end-stage kidney failure as a result of his lifelong battle with type-1 diabetes, which was diagnosed last year after his health gradually declined over two years.
He relies on daily dialysis to stay alive as he waits for a double kidney-pancreas transplant.
In addition to his kidney issues, Mr Smith endured a near-fatal stabbing and a car crash last year while working as a security guard. The injuries from these incidents including severe PTSD, a shattered pelvis, and a ruptured tendon, have left him unable to work.
His worker’s compensation payments from the incidents are minimal – only enough to cover his mortgage with just $60 left each week.
Mr Smith cannot return to his previous job, and his compensation payments will end when his tendon is healed.
Despite his circumstances, he has been unable to access any government assistance.
He was told by Centrelink he was ineligible for Disability Support payments, as his condition doesn’t qualify as a ‘disability’ even after his doctor did the paperwork, his cousin Emily King said.
Despite undergoing daily dialysis and struggling with multiple life-threatening conditions, Brendan Smith is unable to access any government assistance. Pictured alongside his cousin Emily King
Mr Smith was diagnosed with end-stage kidney failure after years of working 72-hour weeks and servicing his community. Pictured before his diagnosis
‘Dialysis, although lifesaving, is considered ‘ongoing treatment’ and under current regulations, people receiving ongoing medical treatment aren’t eligible for disability assistance,’ Ms King explained.
He is also ineligible for JobSeeker payments due to his current compensation status.
‘This creates a cruel catch-22: Brendan’s condition is life-threatening, and his ability to work is non-existent, but the system doesn’t recognise him as needing help.
‘They see the illness as short term, even though it hasn’t been. The issues he’s facing aren’t due to age. He’s young, he’s in his thirties, doesn’t drink, doesn’t smoke, and the reason he’s developed this is his life-long diabetes.’
Mr Smith has burned through a decade of savings just to keep up with his mortgage and treatments in the past 10 months.
‘It’s infuriating to see that able-bodied people can access disability payments, yet someone like Brendan, who is fighting for his life every day, falls through the cracks. The system is broken, and Brendan needs our help now more than ever,’ Ms King said in a fundraiser for her cousin.
‘To make matters even more difficult, Brendan is a single dad, doing his best to support his daughter while he navigates these overwhelming health challenges. He’s determined to stay strong for her but the financial strain is immense, and it’s heartbreaking to see him struggle under the weight of this situation.
‘The work cover payments he receives fall far short of covering his basic living expenses, including his house payments, leaving him in a constant state of financial uncertainty.’
From a near-fatal stabbing and car crash to life-threatening kidney failure, Brendan has faced it all, but the system still doesn’t recognise his need for help
After years of helping others, Brendan is now receiving outpourings of support from the community as they show their gratitude for his kindness
But Mr Smtih is determined to continue providing for his family.
After his recent struggles, including losing vision in one eye due to his diabetes, his doctor jokingly suggested that he might be indestructible.
‘The doctor said, when I had a broken neck “you’re too stubborn to die”, another one was I’ve got “one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel”,’ he said.
‘The last time, he just asked, “How aren’t you dead yet?”‘
Before undergoing his lengthy treatments, Mr Smith was well-known for his generosity and charitable work.
Locals remember him paying for the fast food orders of customers behind him in the drive-thru or surprising wait staff with large tips on their table.
‘I never wanted a “thank you” that makes it awkward,’ he said.
After years of giving, the community has come together together to support Mr Smith, leaving donations and expressing gratitude for his kindness over the years.
‘It’s shown me I don’t ever expect to get anything back – but it does come back,’ he said.
Mr Smith is a top priority in receiving a dual transplant at a hospital in Sydney.
The treatment is expected to extend his life by at least 15 years based on a conservative estimate, but his cousin believes it could add more than 30 years, given his generally healthy lifestyle.
‘My way of looking at it is, there’s only so much pain in the world. So, if I take on more of it myself, there’s less for everyone else,’ Mr Smith said.
Centrelink has been contacted for comment.
