Disability Allowance?

livemusic4life · 20-09-2013 10:57pm

http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Supplementary-Welfare-Allowance.aspx

http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Dietary-Supplement.aspx

degrassinoel · 21-09-2013 12:31pm

Thanks a lot

ash23 · 30-09-2013 1:23pm

I was denied for DA for being 4 per week over the means test. I was on FIS also but that was stopped until I heard back from DA. Now I'm not sure what to do. I was going to reduce my hours anyway as I'm not managing very well with full time.
But the appeals process for DA is so long and if I can't get FIS to top up my income, I won't be able to afford to reduce my hours or I'll end up homeless.

Not sure what to do.

livemusic4life · 07-10-2013 6:11am

ash23 wrote: »

I was denied for DA for being 4 per week over the means test. I was on FIS also but that was stopped until I heard back from DA. Now I'm not sure what to do. I was going to reduce my hours anyway as I'm not managing very well with full time.
But the appeals process for DA is so long and if I can't get FIS to top up my income, I won't be able to afford to reduce my hours or I'll end up homeless.

Not sure what to do.

were you physically assessed, because you have to be completely unfit for work for an expected term of 12 months for disability. You're still working when you applied.

ash23 · 07-10-2013 6:36am

livemusic4life wrote: »

were you physically assessed, because you have to be completely unfit for work for an expected term of 12 months for disability. You're still working when you applied.

I don't think that's true....your disability must be expected to last more than 12 months but you can still work and claim disability allowance. I wasn't physically assessed. It's.a neurological condition so most of the symptoms aren't,physically evident. Sight, balance, neurological pain etc.

Jasssss · 07-10-2013 11:10am

Ash23,yes you are right you are allowed do Rehabilitative work but do you know I really believe if the Department can see that you can do any sort of work at all ,they will refuse you. Well that's what I was told by a TD the other day.But good luck its a nightmare of an allowance to navigate.

GF2013 · 08-10-2013 5:10pm

Ash23, i've also got a neurological condition, affecting balance/sight etc. It's called Mal De Debarquement Syndrome. Anyhow, because it's an invisible illness i'm worried I may be turned down for DA as I look completely normal. I had a social welfare inspector call to my house this morning about the DA claim, any ideas if this is good or bad???

ash23 · 08-10-2013 6:22pm

I've no idea to be honest. I didn't have anyone call. I just got a letter lookingg for 6 months bank statements and 8 weeks payslips. If my income had been below.the limit, I might have gotten a visit or needed to be assessed. I don't really know.
My condition is relapsing remitting MS so I can be perfectly ok.for a while and then have a bad relapse and then recover again so im not sure if that'd be taken into account when they'd assess me.

GF2013 · 08-10-2013 6:33pm

K thanks, hope you get it sorted soon, nothing worse than the added unnecessary stress of waiting for a decision!!!

tony1980 · 16-10-2013 8:25pm

Sorry if this is the wrong place to post.

My wife is on Disability Allowance a long time, she has a condition called Ankylosing Spondylitis which requires an infusion of remicade every 6 weeks. She has a medical card and works the allowed hours each week and earns the maximum of 120 every week on top of her disability allowance. She finished work two weeks ago and is on maternity leave, she is due in 3 weeks.

We were advised previously not to change over to maternity benefit even though it is worth more money as it is so awkward to go back on disability allowance as many of you have experienced, so we have not applied for it. Anyway, we noticed last week that her account balance didn't look right and have confirmed today that she hasn't received her disability in two weeks. I get paid monthly but luckily I am paid this Friday.

She received no letter to say she is cut or if there is some other problem. We will ring tomorrow but Is this unusual to have received nothing and not be notified if say for some reason she was cut? I find it crazy that they could do something like that without any warning, luckily the baby wasn't due this week or we would have been fu**ed!!!

Jasssss · 17-10-2013 2:52pm

That does not sound right I would get on to the Disability allowance section straight away.But the fact that your wife never transferred over to Maternity would make you wonder why there would be any change.Maybe its a banking issue but best to get onto in straight away.While I'm on does anyone know how long the appeal process is now .Has anyone appealed lately and if so how long did it take.

tony1980 · 17-10-2013 3:40pm

We found out that they apparently called to our house twice. They never left anything in the letterbox or sent anything by mail. We were not there when they called, my wife spends alot of time down in her parents during the day as she gets alot of help with our small fella off them especially coming to the end of her pregnancy! So, because we were not there, this guy decided to pull the plug on her payments

She asked the guy on the phone about this and he said that should not have been done but would need to get in contact with the officer or something along those lines and would get back to this but wasn't sure when, told her to go to the clinic in the meantime, Can they do this? This seems absolutely crazy to me :mad:

Jasssss · 17-10-2013 4:04pm

Tony who called to the door,was it a social welfare inspector that they are talking about if so they must be checking up on something.As far as i know they are only sent out when something is a miss.Now I do stand to be corrected on this.I would get back on the phone and find out who exactly called to your door their name and the reasons behind doing so,if i was not able to get a number of this person i would leave a number for them to contact me on.They have every right to call out when they want Tony and there is nothing you can do about it but it would be the reason behind it that i would be worried about.They where probably expecting your wife to be at home on the two occasions when they called and because they had no way of verifying this they had no option but to suspend the allowance.

tony1980 · 17-10-2013 4:13pm

We have no worries about them calling as we aren't scamming the system or anything like that, I thought it was strange they called but have not found out why yet. What I think is crazy is the fact there was no letter sent out to let us know they tried to call and they are able to suspend payment without any notification. My wife is actually entitled to work 19.5 hours a week with the allowance so could easily have been out when he called, surely they have a system in place to send a letter out, if not, that is just madness!!

Jasssss · 17-10-2013 4:28pm

Tony,I know that they arrive just out of the blue and don't have to give any notice .I would have assumed that your wife should of been informed that her allowance was been stopped.That in itself is wrong .I would definitley get back on to them.

Jasssss · 18-10-2013 9:00pm

Right, can someone please explain the Disability Allowance to me.The Criteria is as Follows'The Person should be substantially restricted in undertaking work that would otherwise be suited to a person of the same age or experience and The condition is expected to last longer then a year.Now I sent letters from the Hospital and my GP.These Doctors used the exact words in the Criteria to ensure my son was allowed the Allowance and now I'm at the appeal process because my child was refused.Can anyone looking at this please explain why if my child meets the criteria has someone in longford decided to refuse him.Surely there is something wrong here.Where can I go? Who can i turn to ?.Do I just wait and see what happens at this appeal and to be honest there is a huge amount of very sensitive information in this file that is now on the way to Dublin.Is there any way as his mother that I can ensure that his information wont be shared by any joe soap.Sorry for the rant but I am extremely stressed.

tony1980 · 18-10-2013 9:39pm

Have you spoken with a local TD? It might help or they could guide you in the right direction to sort this out for you.

Jasssss · 18-10-2013 9:51pm

Tony I spoke with one a couple of weeks ago and he said he would look into it.I did not hear anything back so decided to ring him today,he apologised and said he was caught up with the budget etc but would check it out next week.I am going to see another one on Monday.

livemusic4life · 27-10-2013 3:41am

Had a review assessment on the first, Wednesday zero cash in my account. Apparently I'm under review again. So they just stop my money when they feel like it

its not bad enough that I'm in constant pain and can't go back to work on drs orders but now I'm skint too! What i feel for this government would get me banned if i said it on here!

Jasssss · 03-11-2013 10:01pm

livemusic4life,just seen your post.Have you got your payment back yet. I really hope so with Christmas around the corner and all.Tony 1980 ,how did your wife get on.

livemusic4life · 04-11-2013 12:35am

Jasssss wrote: »

livemusic4life,just seen your post.Have you got your payment back yet. I really hope so with Christmas around the corner and all.Tony 1980 ,how did your wife get on.

Yes, thankfully, got my payment back on friday. that was only after annoying the crap out of them all week.

tony1980 · 04-11-2013 7:37pm

No news yet, she went into labour on Thursday and had a baby girl so I have been up the walls since, could really do with finding out something soon as my money is running very low!

livemusic4life · 05-11-2013 4:27am

Jasssss wrote: »

Right, can someone please explain the Disability Allowance to me.The Criteria is as Follows'The Person should be substantially restricted in undertaking work that would otherwise be suited to a person of the same age or experience and The condition is expected to last longer then a year.Now I sent letters from the Hospital and my GP.These Doctors used the exact words in the Criteria to ensure my son was allowed the Allowance and now I'm at the appeal process because my child was refused.Can anyone looking at this please explain why if my child meets the criteria has someone in longford decided to refuse him.Surely there is something wrong here.Where can I go? Who can i turn to ?.Do I just wait and see what happens at this appeal and to be honest there is a huge amount of very sensitive information in this file that is now on the way to Dublin.Is there any way as his mother that I can ensure that his information wont be shared by any joe soap.Sorry for the rant but I am extremely stressed.

yes, as long as those words are used. The information is confidential but you do sign a declaration to give permission for the information to be viewed. By whom, i don't know but that would be interesting to find out. If money is an issue then i could guess that you can unofficially ask to submit more information.

i just got lucky as i was having an assessment for occupational injuries after i applied for the review and begged for them to assess me for disability at the same time to cut down waste in the welfare system. I pushed for it but i was lucky with timing

Jasssss · 08-11-2013 12:51pm

Livemusic4life, I am so glad that you got sorted and Tony I hope your wife is sorted sooner rather then later. Livemusic4life,
I did not take the decision to apply for Disability Allowance Lightly,it was never a case of just because my son had a Disability that 'oh' I'll apply for this for him.It was solely because of the fact of how much his Disability has affected him up to now.He is going on 16 and has never been able to mix with the other kids on the road,they thought of him as a freak,he has struggled in just about every area of his life.What parent wants their child to claim Disability Allowance at 16 years old unless its a necessity.I would love my son to be out playing,going to movies and doing the things that I see the other lads in the area doing but he cant.It is not fair that any parent of a child with special needs should have to go through this.I understand that money is tight in the country at the moment but why if he meets the criteria should he be treated this way.I know your only too aware because you have been down the whole route of Disability but its not fair.But sure Il have to sit tight and wait for the Appeal process to take its course but thank you for all your help its people like you on the forum that keeps people like me going.

livemusic4life · 10-11-2013 5:30am

Jasss, i hope i didn't give the impression that your son wasn't deserving, because i certainly didn't mean anything i said to come across like that. Very few people (hopefully) apply for disability who don't deserve it. I do honestly think that they have an unofficial blanket refusal policy, regardless of whats said.

I'd much rather be back at work earning a proper living again and having money to socialize, but like many others I've had to beg for a stupid few euro to keep my head above water. No one would be bothered by the hassle of it all if it wasn't sorely needed. You stick to your guns with your boy. He's a lucky lad to have a mum willing to fight for him. Keep your chin up. Everyone is here to support each other.

corkion · 10-11-2013 7:35pm

can anyone tell me the curennt wating time for disabilty alowance
i apply in agust 2013 still no reply from them thanks

corkion · 10-11-2013 7:41pm

hi livemusic4life its like begging for a few bob i worked all my life and now have a displaced lower back disc
was refused invality

livemusic4life · 11-11-2013 3:24am

corkion wrote: »

hi livemusic4life its like begging for a few bob i worked all my life and now have a displaced lower back disc
was refused invality

i think the current wait time is about 6 months, although if you phone the dept they should be able to tell you. Appeal wait time is 18 months. Its a grim situation. As i said several times, the words "unfit for work for at least 12 months" MUST be used. My advice is to just keep hassling them. Let us know how you get on.

if you don't mind me asking, why were you turned down for invalidity? Did you appeal?

Jasssss · 11-11-2013 11:38am

Ah god no Livemusic4life I know that post looks as though I am making some sort of point to you I should have worded it differently.What I was trying to say was I just feel like a beggar.Its a horrible way to feel,When You have worked all your life and are then put into a situation that you really would prefer not to be in.I know exactly what you are saying,who in their right mind wants to be depending on this money.I am sorry again for the way that last post came across.

corkion · 11-11-2013 4:51pm

they turned me down on the grounds i was not incapable of work for life .yes i appeal it
the appeal was disallowed

livemusic4life · 11-11-2013 6:05pm

corkion wrote: »

they turned me down on the grounds i was not incapable of work for life .yes i appeal it
the appeal was disallowed

so sorry to hear that. This country is a joke

Jasssss · 11-11-2013 8:44pm

corkian, I was only waiting about 8-9 weeks to hear back from Disability Allowance for my son.Do you mind me asking how long your appeal took.

corkion · 11-11-2013 11:37pm

hi jasssss, 8 weeks the appeal took.did ur son get heis disabilty alowance?

livemusic4life · 12-11-2013 4:39am

In march last year i applied, i phoned to ask a question and the machine said waiting time was 19 weeks. Some tell me its more now, some tell me its less. Best advice i can give is to give them a call

Jasssss · 12-11-2013 10:11am

Thanks folks ,Corkian no He was refused Disability and now we are appealing the decision.

timmybob13 · 04-12-2013 1:51am

Oh lads, I'm scared now.......... I'm on disability myself, and I found this forum after I went to my online banking account and seen that my money hasnt come in!!!!!! Its noticeable because I have next to nothing in my account!!!!
I thought this forum would be old, but seeing as it was just last month, I'm petrified!
I live away from home, home is very unstable and can't go back, the accommodation Im currently in is going up for sale (Im renting), and Ive been panicking about saving up a deposit and first months rent for another place while I still have to pay the rent and bills til then on this place!!

So how can they do this to people, especially so close to Christmas, without warning??!?!
I got no letter, no calls..........and as far as I know, nobodies called to the house!!
Im terrified!! If my welfare is gone, then I'm in a panic to find work, Id have to find it this week, because otherwise I cant afford the rent and I'm out on my ass with no where to go!!
Its really sick that they are doing this now....... Has anybody heard back from the social welfare regarding their situation??????

livemusic4life · 04-12-2013 1:57am

timmybob13 wrote: »

Oh lads, I'm scared now.......... I'm on disability myself, and I found this forum after I went to my online banking account and seen that my money hasnt come in!!!!!! Its noticeable because I have next to nothing in my account!!!!
I thought this forum would be old, but seeing as it was just last month, I'm petrified!
I live away from home, home is very unstable and can't go back, the accommodation Im currently in is going up for sale (Im renting), and Ive been panicking about saving up a deposit and first months rent for another place while I still have to pay the rent and bills til then on this place!!

So how can they do this to people, especially so close to Christmas, without warning??!?!
I got no letter, no calls..........and as far as I know, nobodies called to the house!!
Im terrified!! If my welfare is gone, then I'm in a panic to find work, Id have to find it this week, because otherwise I cant afford the rent and I'm out on my ass with no where to go!!
Its really sick that they are doing this now....... Has anybody heard back from the social welfare regarding their situation??????

Hi Timmybob,

I'm just guessing here, Ulsterbank are the bank that the social welfare deal with to transfer social welfare to peoples accounts BUT ulsterbank have had computer issues for the last few days with people having problems with their account, accessing funds and so on.

I've just checked and the ulsterbank website says that all issues are now resolved. You should be paid tomorrow. If not, phone the social welfare up. Tell them you're stuck for cash. Pop into your bank. And maybe the community welfare officer.

Jasssss · 04-12-2013 1:12pm

Yes Livemusic4life is right there was a problem with some banks alright so hopefully that will be the case.Well i'm still waiting with my appeal but does anyone know roughly how long the appeals are taking.I am sick ringing them and all I'm been told is its in a queue.

livemusic4life · 05-12-2013 3:52am

Jasssss wrote: »

Yes Livemusic4life is right there was a problem with some banks alright so hopefully that will be the case.Well i'm still waiting with my appeal but does anyone know roughly how long the appeals are taking.I am sick ringing them and all I'm been told is its in a queue.

how long have you been waiting now Jasss? Is there not someone who can phone on your behalf? A td or someone? I know i got lucky with SF, not my political cup of tea but they got the job done. It must all feel like clutching at straws now, but you're nearly there.

Jasssss · 05-12-2013 12:01pm

Hi Livemusic4life,I made the Application for Disability in May of this year and as you know it was refused.Its with appeal 3 months now but thats only because i asked to speak to a supervisor in longford and basically nagged him to send my sons files to the appeals office in Dublin.But I rang the appeals office and they told me that from looking at my sons appeal no there was 24,000 appeals of all sorts before him.They also said if Im stuck for money to take my Autistic son down to a welfare officer in the meantime and he/she may be able to help.I am sick to the pitt of my stomach.I did contact several TD'S in the area but they are been told the same as myself and that is that his Appeal is in a Queue.I even contacted the Ministers Office and they said they would look into it but at the end of the day he is just another number in the long Queue of people in the same situation.

livemusic4life · 05-12-2013 3:28pm

It makes me so angry. People who deserve it have to wait and wait, while people playing the system get rushed through and never reassessed. Makes my blood boil. Why not take him to the CWO though. It does delay the payment of arrears though but thats not really a big deal at the end of the day.

Wish there was something we could do. What about advocacy groups?

Jasssss · 06-12-2013 9:37pm

Thanks livemusic4life,Yes the advocacy group for children with Disabilities were great,They filled in the forms with me .I am raging i even appealed now if it's true that the wait with Appeals is a year and over.I probably should have made a fresh application ,it might have been quicker.

livemusic4life · 08-12-2013 5:42am

Jasssss wrote: »

Thanks livemusic4life,Yes the advocacy group for children with Disabilities were great,They filled in the forms with me .I am raging i even appealed now if it's true that the wait with Appeals is a year and over.I probably should have made a fresh application ,it might have been quicker.

Not sure it would have made any difference to be honest. Does seem like practically everyone gets turned down first time. Or maybe I'm just very cynical....

corkion · 11-12-2013 8:28pm

hi all i made my applaction for disabilty in august 2013 still wating for a answer rang longford last week could give me no answer on how long more ill be wating what a joke

corkion · 11-12-2013 8:32pm

hi all im still wating for a answer on my applaction on disabilty i made on august 2013 rang last week they could give me no answer on how long more ill be wating

ash23 · 12-12-2013 9:58am

corkion wrote: »

hi all i made my applaction for disabilty in august 2013 still wating for a answer rang longford last week could give me no answer on how long more ill be wating what a joke

I made an application in Jan 2013 and got an answer in September 2013. It is a joke.

Bof No1 · 12-12-2013 10:39am

Hi, I posted on another thread so apologies if you've read this already. I made my application in March this year, was automatically refused by June, continued process with Longford, re-submitting previously supplied information with strongly worded letter from my doctor. Contacted Longford by phone in August and was told I was medically accepted, waited until November to have 2 meetings with Welfare Inspector. Her report was sent to Longford on 25th November, I contacted Longford to be told first, that the report hadn't been received and a week later, to be told report was there, but deciding officer was on holiday. Phoned Longford yesterday and was told a letter would issue from the deciding officers section by the end of this week, but wouldn't tell me wether my claim was allowed, or not. Judging from other posts to this site that I've read, I think my application has been quick enough to get this far, but I've no doubt shot myself in the foot by saying that and I'll probably be going down the route of appealing, which will be another 12 to 18 months down the line. Cheers and good luck with your application, I'll post here when I receive my letter.

tony1980 · 12-12-2013 11:52pm

Finally had some joy today. We tried ringing Longford again at lunch time, was on hold for 45 mins before we gave up. I contacted Willie O'Dea's office at 2pm via their online form. I gave my wife's details, PPS #, etc. I received a phone call at 2:40 from his office. During that 40 mins they had already contacted Longford and got some details for us. They told me that it should be processed by Monday and if I had not heard back from Longford by Tuesday, to give them a shout again. Incredible help from his office today, so speedy and efficient. I would totally recommend giving his office a shout. Here is the link http://willieodea.ie/?page_id=157 fill out the form and I would say you will get a hell of a lot further in one day than any of you have in the last year :-)

I posted a few pages back, basically my wife's disability was suspended without notice about 3 months ago now and they wanted to do a means test. Longford are an absolute joke to deal with. Hope this might help some of you!

Jasssss · 13-12-2013 11:18am

Tony1980 I hope your wife gets sorted and her Disability is paid back to her with arrears .I seen Willie O Dea in action for that RTE programme .I would love to ring his office but I'm in a different county altogether.BOF if you were found medically fit for Disability ,well then it is just your means and residency that are looked at and if you meet the means as stated on their website you should be ok.I wish everyone on this forum the best of luck and have my own fingers and toes crossed for my son's application.

tony1980 · 13-12-2013 11:43am

Jasssss wrote: »

Tony1980 I hope your wife gets sorted and her Disability is paid back to her with arrears .I seen Willie O Dea in action for that RTE programme .I would love to ring his office but I'm in a different county altogether.BOF if you were found medically fit for Disability ,well then it is just your means and residency that are looked at and if you meet the means as stated on their website you should be ok.I wish everyone on this forum the best of luck and have my own fingers and toes crossed for my son's application.

It doesn't matter what county you are in. When you are filling in the online form, it has a list of all the counties there for you to choose, it doesn't have to be Limerick. You should fill it out and see how you get on.

Disability Allowance?

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