Waiting time for carer's allowance

aileach · 07-03-2012 9:49pm

I applied at the end of september 2011 for carers for my dad who has prostate cancer. I didn't ever get a letter of acknowledgement, I phoned before Christmas and was told that my application was received on 30 September and that there was a waiting time of 6 months. I was hoping to hear something soon, but this thread is making me think that I will have to wait longer!

I live next door to my dad, I also applied for my mum, she broke her hip last year and has difficulty standing for more than a few minutes at a time.

I can't look for other work as I am looking after them the whole time but the lack of cash is dreadful.

The waiting time is disgraceful, but I'm trying to keep positive and hoping to hear from them soon.

aileach · 07-03-2012 9:52pm

What's worrying me is that I keep hearing about people (on the radio) who are being turned down - but haven't heard about anyone who has been approved on their initial application - I wonder what their criteria is

Linda dub · 07-03-2012 11:19pm

aileach wrote: »

I applied at the end of september 2011 for carers for my dad who has prostate cancer. I didn't ever get a letter of acknowledgement, I phoned before Christmas and was told that my application was received on 30 September and that there was a waiting time of 6 months. I was hoping to hear something soon, but this thread is making me think that I will have to wait longer!

I live next door to my dad, I also applied for my mum, she broke her hip last year and has difficulty standing for more than a few minutes at a time.

I can't look for other work as I am looking after them the whole time but the lack of cash is dreadful.

The waiting time is disgraceful, but I'm trying to keep positive and hoping to hear from them soon.

I know its awful waiting so long and not knowing if will even get it is a worry in itself ... Most of us dont hve choice wen comes to caring for members of our families ... We would do it regardless but the money is a huge help and well desrved... Please god you will hear soon... I rang today to double check they recieved the second medical for my mother ( they lost first one) said its now with medical assesors bt staff hve no control over how long it takes frm there... Said doesnt think be months prob weeks.... Hard get much info of them suppose so many depts one half doesnt know what other half do .... Fingers crossed we will hear soon mine is in 26 weeks now.... Think its seven months or 30 weeks last time i asked!

th23 · 09-03-2012 1:11pm

aileach wrote: »

I applied at the end of september 2011 for carers for my dad who has prostate cancer. I didn't ever get a letter of acknowledgement, I phoned before Christmas and was told that my application was received on 30 September and that there was a waiting time of 6 months. I was hoping to hear something soon, but this thread is making me think that I will have to wait longer!

I live next door to my dad, I also applied for my mum, she broke her hip last year and has difficulty standing for more than a few minutes at a time.

I can't look for other work as I am looking after them the whole time but the lack of cash is dreadful.

The waiting time is disgraceful, but I'm trying to keep positive and hoping to hear from them soon.

its a joke, cant believe how long the waiting time is, i heard absolutely nothin from them, i rang to see if they got my application and they said yes, thats all, i left mine in a week after you so keep me updated if u hear anythin

th23 · 09-03-2012 1:12pm

does anyone know what month they are dealing with at the moment, i rang 2 weeks ago and they were only processing apps for june

Linda dub · 09-03-2012 4:18pm

th23 wrote: »

does anyone know what month they are dealing with at the moment, i rang 2 weeks ago and they were only processing apps for june

I rang bout two weeks ago said dealing with end june begin july... Its a joke very frustrating waiting to hear from them

aileach · 10-03-2012 2:18am

It's so frustrating all this waiting - I wonder if there are any illnesses that they look more favourably on granting carers for? I heard someone on the radio recently who looks after her husband 24/7, he has had a few strokes and she was refused carers for him!!

yabadabado · 10-03-2012 4:23pm

aileach wrote: »

It's so frustrating all this waiting - I wonder if there are any illnesses that they look more favourably on granting carers for? I heard someone on the radio recently who looks after her husband 24/7, he has had a few strokes and she was refused carers for him!!

Often the reason Carer's is refused as nothing to do with the Illness involved.There can be many other reasons.

eire_b · 17-03-2012 11:59pm

i applied for carers allowance for both my folks(my dad has senile dementia, my mum, stroke, shattered vertebrae, chronic arthritis, 20% hearing ect.) in oct. 2011, rang them in dec.2011 and was told 6 months, before they even read my application. fingers crossed that i don't need to appeal(mind you, even with that criteria, and from reading here, it looks bleak) i did find this page helpful when applying, its hard to find on the S.W site, but its the operational guidelines for them's that deal with our applications http://www.welfare.ie/EN/OperationalGuidelines/Pages/carers_all.aspx

if you can meet the criteria on that page there should be no reason for an appeal...unless there is more info to this than is available to carers?
i hope not, my life is hard enough caring for two and keeping my own head above water.

Linda dub · 26-03-2012 3:02pm

eire_b wrote: »

i applied for carers allowance for both my folks(my dad has senile dementia, my mum, stroke, shattered vertebrae, chronic arthritis, 20% hearing ect.) in oct. 2011, rang them in dec.2011 and was told 6 months, before they even read my application. fingers crossed that i don't need to appeal(mind you, even with that criteria, and from reading here, it looks bleak) i did find this page helpful when applying, its hard to find on the S.W site, but its the operational guidelines for them's that deal with our applications http://www.welfare.ie/EN/OperationalGuidelines/Pages/carers_all.aspx

if you can meet the criteria on that page there should be no reason for an appeal...unless there is more info to this than is available to carers?
i hope not, my life is hard enough caring for two and keeping my own head above water.

Rang carers allownce yet again today 28 weeks and counting.... Forget 30 weeks for a decision now saying at least another 6-8 weeks... What a joke really .p

off now big time! told 12 weeks then 24 weeks then 30 weeks and now 36-38 weeks ... Government ought be able to do smthing about it bt too busy worrying bout their own mess theyve made

aileach · 29-03-2012 2:56am

really fed up waiting at this stage - I wonder if the CWO would be able to give a payment whilst waiting for a decision on carers?

Linda dub · 29-03-2012 4:02pm

aileach wrote: »

really fed up waiting at this stage - I wonder if the CWO would be able to give a payment whilst waiting for a decision on carers?

I asked my cwo last week same question he said if the person caring and their dependants are getting the full social welfare entitlements into house thn cwo wont pay.. I dunno if any dependants or spouse works if same answer... My husband on sw and he claims myself n daughter... Im totally fed up wait thinking wen sent in shud hear xmas then maybe easter bt by looks things prob be bloody halloween 

jamescc · 29-03-2012 8:21pm

i used to get it of the cwo. and my mother is on a widows pension.

Jasssss · 30-03-2012 12:48pm

Hi I am not waiting as long as most of you but I contacted my TD who is going to put it to the minister by way of a parlementary question.He is going to ask the minister why it is taking 8 months for applications to be processed.He also mentioned that the more TD'S that ask the question the better.Maybe if any of you have time you might just send an email to your local TD and ask them to put this question to the minister.The more people that do this the quicker we might get it.You dont have to mention your case if you dont want to.You can ask as a general question.

snuggles09 · 02-04-2012 10:39pm

my aunt applied for carers allowance in May of 2011 as she was my grand mothers main carer ( lived with her )...my grand mother died the middle of November and my aunt got the letter 8 days after her death to say she had been approved but it was too late by then..the 28 week mark it seems to be the waiting time

IrishMumOf1 · 10-04-2012 10:45am

Jasssss wrote: »

Hi I am not waiting as long as most of you but I contacted my TD who is going to put it to the minister by way of a parlementary question.He is going to ask the minister why it is taking 8 months for applications to be processed.He also mentioned that the more TD'S that ask the question the better.Maybe if any of you have time you might just send an email to your local TD and ask them to put this question to the minister.The more people that do this the quicker we might get it.You dont have to mention your case if you dont want to.You can ask as a general question.

:DDone this, hope it helps us all get some answers:D:D

aileach · 10-04-2012 2:36pm

I must try to get in touch with local TD - I suppose it would be worth a try.

If I have to wait until May to hear back I'll need a carer myself!!

Linda dub · 10-04-2012 6:36pm

I got in contact my local TD.. he said it has been brought up in dail lots of times but government excuse is due to cutbacks less staff in social welfare to deal with so many applications!!!! My husband has been very sick
Lately and looks like he may have to go
On disability allowance... CWO said its nearly as long as waiting for carers allowance ss it is for disability allowance .... What in gods name are people supposed to do... Wouldnt put up with it other countries 

Jasssss · 12-04-2012 6:03pm

Has anyone on this forum heard anything yet.I really dread to think of anyone getting refused after this lenght of time waiting.I hear appeals are taken just as long.I dont know much about the CWO but I know because my other half is working that they will not entertain me.I have tried to read back on some of the posts to find the average waiting time.Are we saying 8 months? or is it more.

browneyedrosha · 12-04-2012 6:56pm

hi, i applied for carers allowance last april 15th (yes a yr ago this week!) and despite numerous ph calls to longford office they tell me its STILL with the medical officer! However, i received a 'free travel pass' notice in the mail this week, which i have to bring to CIE local office for processing. I ph'd longford as soon as i got it but was told application was with medical officer! Has anyone had similar experience of this ... and should i take it that this is a positive sign?

Linda dub · 12-04-2012 9:23pm

O my god are u serious a full year? I thought was now 36-38 weeks dats a joke !!! Id say fact u got letter bout bus pass is a positive sign cos you get nothing for nothing ths country... Typical as i said before everytime ring get different person who tells somthing different .... Its an absolute joke :mad:

browneyedrosha · 12-04-2012 10:02pm

Linda dub wrote: »

O my god are u serious a full year? I thought was now 36-38 weeks dats a joke !!! Id say fact u got letter bout bus pass is a positive sign cos you get nothing for nothing ths country... Typical as i said before everytime ring get different person who tells somthing different .... Its an absolute joke :mad:

I hoping its a good sign, but unfortunately its not much use in my situation as neither of my parents are really able to travel by bus not to mind train! I realise that there are prob lots who would love to have one but even if my parents could use bus eg 4 hosp appointment, we live in a very rural area, which means i would have to drive them to local bus, park car (paying parking charge), get bus to city centre, change bus at least once more, and walk from bus stop to main hosp enterence, & both parents have walking aids!!! At least if i get an allowance it would help with petrol expense. I just live in hope!!!???

So Annoyed · 13-04-2012 1:02am

If you got the bus pass, you have been passed for the carers!

Jasssss · 13-04-2012 7:04pm

I think you have been granted it.They would surely not give you a bus pass if you had of been refused.Was there a problem with your application for carers allowance that it has taken in excess of a year to process.

IrishMumOf1 · 14-04-2012 3:48pm

Linda dub wrote: »

O my god are u serious a full year? I thought was now 36-38 weeks dats a joke !!! Id say fact u got letter bout bus pass is a positive sign cos you get nothing for nothing ths country... Typical as i said before everytime ring get different person who tells somthing different .... Its an absolute joke :mad:

I have been told in my recent contact with the social welfare that my husband satisfies the medical criteria for receipt of carer’s allowance. That they needed to complete their investigations into my claim and would let me know shortly.

How are things for you Linda dub, long time no chat, any positive news for you?

I would agree with you about that lady getting the bus pass. That department would not have issued that without first getting confirmation that she was approved for carer's allowance, its just that department once they get confirmation tend to operate quickly on sending items out. So if you get a letter giving you a bus pass, it means your carers allowance is not far behind.

Linda dub · 15-04-2012 8:31am

At least your getting some positive news

) ive been in touch with social welfare recently but just keep getting different answers at this stage im
Very confused.... Last update was they working on august 2011 applications and mine still
Pending but getting there whatever thsts supposed to mean !!!!!

browneyedrosha · 15-04-2012 9:51pm

Jasssss wrote: »

I think you have been granted it.They would surely not give you a bus pass if you had of been refused.Was there a problem with your application for carers allowance that it has taken in excess of a year to process.

Hi Jasssss, Im sure your right, and i guess that I'll prob get a letter soon. There was no problems with my application, as i said i applied last april, but i applied for both my parents and i suppose that meant double work for the medical officers. I submitted extra info in aug as my dads health was deteriorating quite rapidly, and following a call to them they advised me to send follow up medical information again in early new year. I dont know if this extra information slowed down the whole process, but then again perhaps I might have been turned down without it. I still dont know if i will get it for both parents, but I will be grateful for help at this stage. I know I should be entitled to it but to be honest, i'm so exhausted at this stage that i dont even have the energy to fight for much longer.

Jasssss · 16-04-2012 6:27pm

OMG that is terrible that you had to wait this long.I know you made two applications but this is beyond a joke.I hope I dont have to wait this long.I gave up work to look after my child who is in receipt of dca.I cannot go on job seekers because I am not available for work,I cannot go to the CWO because my other half is working and I've been told that they wont help.Life is hard enough for carer's without this added pressure.

skate22 · 17-04-2012 11:09am

Hi I posted the original thread on this topic of Waiting time for Carer's Allowance. I thought now I would just give an update.
Applied for Carers in July 2010, was refused in Sept 2010 and appealed it.
Had an oral hearing in Aug 2011 and got the decision in Nov 2011 and was refused. 4 weeks later the person I was caring for passed away. There was no dispute of the fact that a carer was needed and the appeals board didn't dispute this. I was refused the allowance because it was assumed that I was also working (I was not and proved this to them). I spent a lot of time providing full time care but they never believed me. I have now got my appeal reopened since Jan of this year and will continue to fight my case for the money I am owed. As a result of this my claim for JSA has been held up and I won't even go into what I owe on mortgage and credit cards as I was relying on this money. Have also been in touch with the ombudsman regarding this.

By the way, I got several local TDs to write and ring on my behalf on numerous occasions and have even written to Joan Burton but it made no difference whatsoever. All in all I waited a full 16 months for the decision and I am still fighting it. I have applied as well for legal aid because I will go as far as I have to with this.

PS the reason my appeal was disallowed was a totally different reason to the original reason of appeal. GOOD LUCK TO ANYONE AWAITING A DECISION.

IrishMumOf1 · 17-04-2012 12:13pm

Linda dub wrote: »

At least your getting some positive news ) ive been in touch with social welfare recently but just keep getting different answers at this stage im
Very confused.... Last update was they working on august 2011 applications and mine still
Pending but getting there whatever thsts supposed to mean !!!!!

From what you have written and here and from what I have been told, it sounds like our applications are being worked on. My guess is that that are working on paying out the august 2011 applications that were approved and this is where they have the back log.

Purely guessing of course on my behalf. But you applied in Sept and I applied in Oct and both our applications are being processed as they could tell us information on them.

Def sounds to me like a backlog issuing back payments and regular payments to me. If I hear anything else I will post asap.

aileach · 17-04-2012 8:40pm

IrishMumOf1 wrote: »

From what you have written and here and from what I have been told, it sounds like our applications are being worked on. My guess is that that are working on paying out the august 2011 applications that were approved and this is where they have the back log.

Purely guessing of course on my behalf. But you applied in Sept and I applied in Oct and both our applications are being processed as they could tell us information on them.

Def sounds to me like a backlog issuing back payments and regular payments to me. If I hear anything else I will post asap.

I applied in September 2011 and was told that they received my application on Sept 30th.

I haven't heard from them since then, do you think I should phone them to find out what stage my application is at?

I am really struggling financially at the moment and just feel so depressed.

skate22 · 17-04-2012 10:00pm

Hi aileach

I was wondering if you have a letter confirming that your application was received, at this stage you should definitely have that letter. You could then try the CWO and see about getting payment while you are awaiting their decision. If you have a spouse or partner working full time I don't think the CWO pays you. The only positive thing I would say here is that at least you haven't been refused so far because its the appeals that take so long. I applied in July 2010 and got a letter in Sept 2010 refusing me the allowance. Thats when I appealed the decision.

PS I would advise everyone to keeps copies of everything you send in because it seems with the volume of applications they receive, paperwork goes missing a lot. At least if you have a copy you can just forward it on to them. This is advice I got from the doctor filling in the medical section of the form. Also, if you have to write to them ask for written acknowledgement of any letter you send in, and keep dates and times of any phone calls you make.

Best of Luck:)

aileach · 17-04-2012 10:41pm

skate22 wrote: »

Hi aileach

I was wondering if you have a letter confirming that your application was received, at this stage you should definitely have that letter. You could then try the CWO and see about getting payment while you are awaiting their decision. If you have a spouse or partner working full time I don't think the CWO pays you. The only positive thing I would say here is that at least you haven't been refused so far because its the appeals that take so long. I applied in July 2010 and got a letter in Sept 2010 refusing me the allowance. Thats when I appealed the decision.

PS I would advise everyone to keeps copies of everything you send in because it seems with the volume of applications they receive, paperwork goes missing a lot. At least if you have a copy you can just forward it on to them. This is advice I got from the doctor filling in the medical section of the form. Also, if you have to write to them ask for written acknowledgement of any letter you send in, and keep dates and times of any phone calls you make.

Best of Luck:)

That's the thing :mad: I didn't get any written notification that they had received my application, I applied at the end of September and hadn't heard anything by the end of October so I phoned and was then told that my application was received on Sept 30th. The guy I spoke to said that I should have received notification by text if I had given a mobile number (I had given a mobile number but hadn't received notification). I guess I should have asked him for a reference number but didn't think to.

The main reason for my lack of funds is that I had to move house and am renting a house next door to my parents in order look after them. My own house is on the market at the moment but of course not selling, not even any interest in it so I'm paying a mortgage and renting at the same time.

I was told that time that I definately wouldn't have a decision before Christmas and that it would most likely be the end of February, so I was hopeful until I discovered this thread!! Since the end of March I've been checking the postbox every morning.

Maybe I should ring them up and get a reference number to bring to the CWO? I did photocopy everything I sent in. My husband is in full time employment but is on very low pay and he also gets FIS. We have 3 children.

skate22 · 17-04-2012 11:14pm

I know the feeling of checking the post box every morning and waiting for the brown envelope with some bit of news.

You should ring in the morning and insist you get written confirmation about your claim and also give them your mobile no and say you want the text that they said they sent you. Your PPS No does as your ref no because thats what they usually ask you for when you ring. Explain that you need to go to the CWO and you need this letter straight away. I don't know if the CWO will give you anything because your husband works over 30 hours and you are also getting FIS but at least in making a claim you are proving to them that you are in need of the payment. I think for your family size you would need to have an income of less than 400 euro a week before getting any payment from them, but again, no harm in applying. You might as well be waiting for 2 letters from the postman.

Have you thought about maybe renting the house you have for sale which might at least cover some of the mortgage. You could also try speaking to your bank about a moratorium break from your mortgage. They usually give a 3 month break and that will give a little bit of breathing space.

Believe me, I know exactly how you feel. I am still appealing my case 21 months later and the person I was caring for has passed away. I am now looking for payment for the months that I was her full time carer for. But my case completely different to yours so don't let that put you off.

cee_jay · 17-04-2012 11:19pm

aileach wrote: »

Maybe I should ring them up and get a reference number to bring to the CWO?

Your reference number will be your PPS number, the CWO should be able to see if your claim is registered on the system or not.

Linda dub · 18-04-2012 10:39am

Just reading back over last couple pages on this thread it is an absolute disgrace the way carers and carees are being treated ....the very fact some loved ones have passed away before they have a right to their entitlement to have a carer never mind the carers thmselves is a joke.... It just proves how much of a joke this country has become ... Its appalling to think how many are out there struggling to Look after and care for loved ones and having all This red tape to deal with on top of all the pressure theyre already under....we all Have different situations which we have to deal with but some people on this are really desperate and surely somthing should be done in these cases .Shame on this government and the last one to allow this to happen in the first place and then to
allow it to continue 

skate22 · 18-04-2012 2:09pm

Linda dub wrote: »

Just reading back over last couple pages on this thread it is an absolute disgrace the way carers and carees are being treated ....the very fact some loved ones have passed away before they have a right to their entitlement to have a carer never mind the carers thmselves is a joke.... It just proves how much of a joke this country has become ... Its appalling to think how many are out there struggling to Look after and care for loved ones and having all This red tape to deal with on top of all the pressure theyre already under....we all Have different situations which we have to deal with but some people on this are really desperate and surely somthing should be done in these cases .Shame on this government and the last one to allow this to happen in the first place and then to
allow it to continue 

Hi Linda Dub

Like yourself I read the whole thread last night and I totally agree with you. It is an absolute disgrace. The waiting time is totally unacceptable but unfortunately nothing we can do about it. My original application for Carer's Allowance in July 2010 got a quick response. I was turned down straight away and appealed the decision in Sept 2010 and this is ongoing at the moment. My appeal was disallowed in Nov 2011 but I got it reopened because I will fight it all the way. I looked after my mother in law. My sister in law was her previous carer for 5 years but had to give it up so I took over. So their issue was with me doing the caring and not that she needed a carer. I have been made to feel constantly by the Social Welfare that I have been trying to cheat the system. What a pity someone didn't spend a few hours with me just to see how much I actually did and the amount of hours I put in. Caring is a very tough job and I have the utmost respect for anyone who does this work. What a pity this is not recognised by the Social Welfare System. My mother in law had a fear of having to go into a home and passed away just 4 weeks after the decision. Her last words to me were that "she told me she wouldn't stay if I didn't get the allowance". After the decision she just seemed to give up on life altogether and even her doctor said that this time she didn't want to fight to stay. She became resigned to the fact that it was time to go !!! I will continue to fight their decision until I get the outcome I deserve. After all no one would expect a Social Welfare employee to work 50 to 60 hours a week without pay !!! I think we should all print this thread on a weekly basis and send it in to the carer's section, the appeals section and to Joan Burton herself. I am sure if everyone on this forum sent all these threads along with a letter every week with their pps no they would soon get sick of it. Actually its worth spending 5 euro a week on registered post just to make sure they get it. Ah well just a thought among a lot of thoughts of things I would like to do :mad:

skate22 · 18-04-2012 2:20pm

aileach wrote: »

That's the thing :mad: I didn't get any written notification that they had received my application, I applied at the end of September and hadn't heard anything by the end of October so I phoned and was then told that my application was received on Sept 30th. The guy I spoke to said that I should have received notification by text if I had given a mobile number (I had given a mobile number but hadn't received notification). I guess I should have asked him for a reference number but didn't think to.

The main reason for my lack of funds is that I had to move house and am renting a house next door to my parents in order look after them. My own house is on the market at the moment but of course not selling, not even any interest in it so I'm paying a mortgage and renting at the same time.

I was told that time that I definately wouldn't have a decision before Christmas and that it would most likely be the end of February, so I was hopeful until I discovered this thread!! Since the end of March I've been checking the postbox every morning.

Maybe I should ring them up and get a reference number to bring to the CWO? I did photocopy everything I sent in. My husband is in full time employment but is on very low pay and he also gets FIS. We have 3 children.

Hi Aileach

Just wanted to let you know that like yourself my husband works full time on a low wage and I also have 3 children. The lack of funds is a huge problem but I went to the bank today and am now going on an interest only mortgage for 12 months. This just gives me a little bit of breathing space and has halved my mortgage payments and I am still paying something. Otherwise, we were in danger of falling into a lot of arrears. I am already in arrears but not by too much and needed to do something before it got out of hand.

Just letting you know this as it might be an option for you while you are waiting for a decision from the Carers. As you can see from others the waiting time is ridiculous and you still have to provide the full time care while you are waiting. Its not like you could find a job (you have a job, a stressful one) while you are waiting for them to give you some bit of information regarding your claim.

Anyway best of luck :rolleyes:

browneyedrosha · 19-04-2012 1:48pm

Hi there! Just an update on my situation...Finally after exactly a year I have been told that i have been passed to receive CA.

Today is a good day! Mind you I havent received written confirmation of this, but following a call to longford, i was told i will be receiving payment for both my parents! Dont know exact date yet or how long, or even if, i will get it backdated, but the lady i spoke to seemed optimistic that i would get it backdated to at least the last date i sent in additional medical information! Its been a long struggle, but hopefully in next few months i will have paid bills & loans which are currently outstanding! and I will be able to look guilft-free at my kind friends who lent me money over last few months!
Hope more of you get good news this week!

Linda dub · 19-04-2012 3:06pm

Thats great news to hear at least you finally got a decision and not before time ... Unbelivable a whole year waiting! Im sure you will get it all backdated and you can sort everything out ... Great to hear a bit good news here for a change .... Its well deserved, its not an easy job to do physically or mentally at least your getting your entitlements now

browneyedrosha · 19-04-2012 4:47pm

Linda dub wrote: »

Thats great news to hear at least you finally got a decision and not before time ... Unbelivable a whole year waiting! Im sure you will get it all backdated and you can sort everything out ... Great to hear a bit good news here for a change .... Its well deserved, its not an easy job to do physically or mentally at least your getting your entitlements now

Thanks Linda dub! Its really a gr8 feeling. Everyone sharing this thread knows the frustration felt in being left waiting in limbo on decisions. as you said its hard enough physically, emotionally and mentally without being made feel that we are 2nd class citizens.
I sincerely hope you and everyone out there in 'waiting land' have good outcomes and get the recognition so badly deserved.
Its so upsetting to read that some people been cared for have passed away while waiting for a decision. i cant even start to imagine the extra upset and anger they must be feeling. As you said it hard enough.

But maybe my bit of news may just (& i really hope) give some a little hope that there is a glimmer of light even after a year!

Jasssss · 19-04-2012 8:48pm

Ah,that's great news.I wish you all the best and hope many more on this forum have the same outcome.

IrishMumOf1 · 20-04-2012 10:06am

browneyedrosha wrote: »

Thanks Linda dub! Its really a gr8 feeling. Everyone sharing this thread knows the frustration felt in being left waiting in limbo on decisions. as you said its hard enough physically, emotionally and mentally without being made feel that we are 2nd class citizens.
I sincerely hope you and everyone out there in 'waiting land' have good outcomes and get the recognition so badly deserved.
Its so upsetting to read that some people been cared for have passed away while waiting for a decision. i cant even start to imagine the extra upset and anger they must be feeling. As you said it hard enough.

But maybe my bit of news may just (& i really hope) give some a little hope that there is a glimmer of light even after a year!

Well done, that was a long hard year for you, pray others incl myself

can get the same happy news soon.

skate22 · 20-04-2012 10:57am

Finally a bit of good news for someone. It has been a long wait for you and I am so glad that its finally over for you. Will give a little bit of hope to others who are waiting as well. As far as I am aware you will get the money backdated to your original application. I know a friend of mine did and after all it is money you earned doing a very tough job. Well done

Best of luck

Linda dub · 20-04-2012 2:16pm

Hi folks i got letter from carers this morn looking for more information .... Spoke to somebody who said this is last information needed before decision made . I asked was both my parents medicals passesd and he said one done so far i then asked was the one passed and he said couldnt give me that information over phone !!!! When i asked how much longer before i know ofdecision he said they only work on aug applicants be at least another 4 to 5 weeks so def taking 36 to 40 weeks

(( ive faxed over the information they required rather than post it... Fingers crossed it gets there and doesnt cause any more delays

browneyedrosha · 21-04-2012 12:27am

Linda dub wrote: »

Hi folks i got letter from carers this morn looking for more information .... Spoke to somebody who said this is last information needed before decision made . I asked was both my parents medicals passesd and he said one done so far i then asked was the one passed and he said couldnt give me that information over phone !!!! When i asked how much longer before i know ofdecision he said they only work on aug applicants be at least another 4 to 5 weeks so def taking 36 to 40 weeks (( ive faxed over the information they required rather than post it... Fingers crossed it gets there and doesnt cause any more delays

OMG! :eek: that is soooo frustrating for you! imagine that they want all ur info but cant answer a simple ? over the phone! crazy! i would defo keep calling them every week. I did submit extra medical info on 2 occasions because my situ was going on so long, but perhaps this helped me as health had deteriorated a good bit in the yr. im sorry to hear you have another wait on ur hands, but hopefully itll be soon resolved and you will be passed. best of luck!

Also thanks to all for all the 'good luck' wishes you all expressed towards me. N i will be keeping an eye on how you are all progressing. Keep the chin up

Jasssss · 22-04-2012 7:29pm

Does anyone know that if you are awarded the Carer's Allowance is the respite grant included in your back payment or do you loose this.

Linda dub · 22-04-2012 8:21pm

As far as i Know you Have to Be getting carers allowance in the first week In june to automatically get respite grant... Ive heard can still Apply for grant if dont qualify for carers ... Regarding getting it backdated im not too sure bt respite grant guidelines might give you More info?

jamescc · 22-04-2012 9:54pm

when i won my appeal. i was back dated the money that is including the Respite money as well . but i had to wait a little longer as the bank account that i gave when i applied had closed. i had to open a new account and they had to wait till it bounced of my closed account before they could reissue the money .

I would like to ask is the Respite money paid in the first week in June or the end of June . i am planning on paying my car insurance out of it. as it ends on the 25 may

IrishMumOf1 · 22-04-2012 10:37pm

jamescc wrote: »

when i won my appeal. i was back dated the money that is including the rest bite money as well . but i had to wait a little longer as the bank account that i gave when i applied had closed. i had to open a new account and they had to wait till it bounced of my closed account before they could reissue the money .

I would like to ask is the rest bite money paid in the first week in June or the end of June . i am planning on paying my car insurance out of it. as it ends on the 25 may

I read on this link it was the first week in June, Published on Thursday 2nd June 2011

http://www.merrionstreet.ie/index.php/2011/06/almost-70000-carers-to-receive-respite-care-grant-this-year-e658-million-will-be-spent-on-schemes-to-support-carers-in-2011/

Waiting time for carer's allowance

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