Forms, Forms and More Forms

I don’t think I’ve ever filled out so many forms in such a short space of time in my entire life.  Even without taking into account the absurd volume of written material required by WINZ, it seems that once you have a disability almost everyone you deal with requires you to produce an extraordinary amount of documentation.  Since failure to complete these forms means that you would be unable to access essential support services and entitlements, it’s a necessary yet utterly exhausting process, and not just for the person with the disability.  I’m certain my doctor has the urge to run for cover every time I send yet another form for him to complete.  And once the form is correctly completed, it would be foolish to think that your work is done.  Then you have to provide supporting documentation, medical reports, proof of identity, and so it goes on.  You may even need to get a Justice of the Peace involved.

The supreme award for the most gruelling, time-consuming form that required the greatest volume of supporting documentation, would have to go to my insurance company.  I have an income protection policy that I took out when I was living in Australia and have been paying into for some time now.  Since there is a waiting period involved, I at least had a reasonable amount of time to complete the forty five page masterpiece which once received was followed up by a fresh set of forms for me to complete.  It is still going through their exhaustive assessment process.  I just hope that after all the time, effort, and not to mention premiums, I have invested in it, it gets approved.  At least then I can escape the madness of these out of control, computer generated WINZ forms and letters.  Fingers crossed.