Disability Allowance?

Bof No1 · 21-02-2015 11:45pm

Hi tomtom, that's a new one on me. When I applied, was refused, appealed and appeal granted, after, it was me who had to go to visit an inspector, along with all my financial paperwork. I've heard of being visited at home, after a period of time from the granting of your claim, but as I've already said, news to me. Good luck with it anyway and let us know what happened, cheers, Bof No1.

tomtom926a · 10-03-2015 4:13pm

Bof No1 wrote: »

Hi tomtom, that's a new one on me. When I applied, was refused, appealed and appeal granted, after, it was me who had to go to visit an inspector, along with all my financial paperwork. I've heard of being visited at home, after a period of time from the granting of your claim, but as I've already said, news to me. Good luck with it anyway and let us know what happened, cheers, Bof No1.

hello. got my letter today saying REJECTED. apparently i dont meet the medical criteria and am suitable for work

not sure what to do now ??

Bof No1 · 11-03-2015 1:22am

Hi tomtom, so sorry to hear about your rejection, when/if it happens, it's a bummer. Could you clarify some things for me, 'cos I'm a bit unsure of your situation? What was the inspector calling to you about, was it to review your claim in full, was it to review your finances, was it to review your medical history and what/where was the inspector from, as in Department of Government? Also, is this your first claim for D.A., have you been refused before and have you been seen by one of their medical specialists? Sorry for all the questions, if you don't want to answer them, that's okay, I'm not trying to impose myself on you. Cheers, Bof.

tomtom926a · 11-03-2015 5:52pm

Bof No1 wrote: »

Hi tomtom, so sorry to hear about your rejection, when/if it happens, it's a bummer. Could you clarify some things for me, 'cos I'm a bit unsure of your situation? What was the inspector calling to you about, was it to review your claim in full, was it to review your finances, was it to review your medical history and what/where was the inspector from, as in Department of Government? Also, is this your first claim for D.A., have you been refused before and have you been seen by one of their medical specialists? Sorry for all the questions, if you don't want to answer them, that's okay, I'm not trying to impose myself on you. Cheers, Bof.

Hi. The inspector came to means test me. He was from the social welfare office.this is my first claim. I was not called for a medical assessment.

tomtom926a · 11-03-2015 8:08pm

tomtom926a wrote: »

Hi. The inspector came to means test me. He was from the social welfare office.this is my first claim. I was not called for a medical assessment.

But was denied cause I didn't meet their medical criteria

Bof No1 · 11-03-2015 11:38pm

Hi tomtom, if this is your first refusal and as you say, it was on medical grounds; in your refusal letter, it should say that you have 21 days to appeal the decision, (maybe it's 30). In my case, my doctor wrote a letter to them, suggesting that psychic diagnosis was a first for the world and where could he learn how to do this, as I hadn't been seen by their medical specialist either? Obviously, he dressed it up in more formal terms, but the meaning was the same! Appeal this decision, have your doctor write a letter to support you, it is his diagnosis they're saying is wrong, as well as any specialists you've been to. Do not let the date for appeal pass by, register your appeal letter, especially if you're near to the date, then sit back and wait. If you're refused again, appeal again, they want you to give up. Keep the head up and <snip> those who wish to keep you down. Cheers, Bof.

harry Bailey esq · 13-03-2015 5:58pm

just got the refusal letter today,I applied in Dec 14.Basically some so called 'medical assesor' in longford decided I was fit for work,despite never having spoke a word to me and despite my doctor writing a detailed report,in which he clearly stated I was unfit for work for at least a year.I wrote a strongly worded letter to longford,but I didn't give any more medical evidence with it,will this be viewed as a first appeal?On my next visit ill get my doctor to write another letter for the appeals officer in Dublin,I dread asking him for it as he's a cranky Fecker.Why do they have to make life so difficult for people.

tomtom926a · 14-03-2015 5:36am

Bof No1 wrote: »

Hi tomtom, if this is your first refusal and as you say, it was on medical grounds; in your refusal letter, it should say that you have 21 days to appeal the decision, (maybe it's 30). In my case, my doctor wrote a letter to them, suggesting that psychic diagnosis was a first for the world and where could he learn how to do this, as I hadn't been seen by their medical specialist either? Obviously, he dressed it up in more formal terms, but the meaning was the same! Appeal this decision, have your doctor write a letter to support you, it is his diagnosis they're saying is wrong, as well as any specialists you've been to. Do not let the date for appeal pass by, register your appeal letter, especially if you're near to the date, then sit back and wait. If you're refused again, appeal again, they want you to give up. Keep the head up and <snip> those who wish to keep you down. Cheers, Bof.

I have the 21 days ... Well 13 now. They said there was nothing to stop me from seeking suitable employment. I don't have a diagnosis and still waiting for a hospital appointment

livemusic4life · 20-03-2015 1:52am

tomtom926a wrote: »

But was denied cause I didn't meet their medical criteria

You have every right to ask for an Oral Review. which you absolutely should insist on. A diary for a few days outlining your difficulty should really help a lot, as much detail with every aspect of your life thats affected.

tomtom926a · 24-03-2015 11:47pm

livemusic4life wrote: »

You have every right to ask for an Oral Review. which you absolutely should insist on. A diary for a few days outlining your difficulty should really help a lot, as much detail with every aspect of your life thats affected.

whats involved in an oral review ?

livemusic4life · 25-03-2015 8:30am

tomtom926a wrote: »

whats involved in an oral review ?

To be seen by one of their medical reviewers. A doctor.

harry Bailey esq · 26-03-2015 10:42pm

Update, following on from last weeks harshly worded letter to longford i received a travel pass in the mail today. I applied in mid December last year so the whole process took just over three months.I'd like to thank all the posters who gave me advice and took the time to reply to my posts over the past couple of months.
Cheers everyone,
Harry

tomtom926a · 29-03-2015 2:06am

just to update. i wrote and sent a letter to the longford crowd. lets see what happens

tomtom926a · 06-04-2015 6:59am

how long until i know if my appeal is allowed

tomtom926a · 14-04-2015 4:38pm

tomtom926a wrote: »

how long until i know if my appeal is allowed

was told by the appeals office that it could take anything up to three (3) months

tipplady · 25-04-2015 4:00pm

hi i have been waiting 9 weeks now hope i get a reply soon, have cancer.

ouncer · 16-05-2015 11:40pm

Got a letter in the post recently to say my child had been awarded disability allowance. So first reaction was I was simply thrilled. Then I went back through all the documentation. And what a passage that was. So I won't go there. However my conclusion is simple. If you can prove clearly that yourself or your child or whoever is being claimed for will be more a burden on the state than the option of disability allowance then you will get disability allowance. Its really as simple as that. In my case I will take care of my kid who struggles with many issues. If I passed him over to the state it would cost them a fortune and they know this. So they are happy for me to take care of him as I also am. Its been a learning experience though

Irishchick · 31-05-2015 11:38am

Hi All looking for some advice.

I recently had to stop working due to arthritis. Im 28 and have had osteoarthritis in my left hip for about 2 years. I had been able to struggle on until I developed inflammatory arthritis in all my other joints ( They think it could be rheumatoid they're not sure yet) basicall all my joints seized up and I ended up in hospital. Im on a bucket load of medications for pain and chronic fatigue

Long story short I'm not going to be able to work for a long while. I cant bend over and can barley hold a pen sometimes. I fall asleep at a mins notice.

I was going to apply for disability allowance but I'm wondering can I stay on illness benefit while making the claim?

Thanks in advance ?

ouncer · 31-05-2015 11:19pm

Irishchick wrote: »

Hi All looking for some advice.

I recently had to stop working due to arthritis. Im 28 and have had osteoarthritis in my left hip for about 2 years. I had been able to struggle on until I developed inflammatory arthritis in all my other joints ( They think it could be rheumatoid they're not sure yet) basicall all my joints seized up and I ended up in hospital. Im on a bucket load of medications for pain and chronic fatigue

Long story short I'm not going to be able to work for a long while. I cant bend over and can barley hold a pen sometimes. I fall asleep at a mins notice.

I was going to apply for disability allowance but I'm wondering can I stay on illness benefit while making the claim?

Thanks in advance ?

You will find answer here
www.inou.ie/workingforwork22/chapter41/moving-from-illness-benef.html

Best of luck

Irishchick · 01-06-2015 6:00am

ouncer wrote: »

You will find answer here
www.inou.ie/workingforwork22/chapter41/moving-from-illness-benef.html

Best of luck

I just read through that thanks. Still a bit confused though does your illness benefit have to have run out before you can apply?

ouncer · 01-06-2015 9:41am

Irishchick wrote: »

I just read through that thanks. Still a bit confused though does your illness benefit have to have run out before you can apply?

You can apply for disability allowance at any time. Once you apply you will lose your illness benefit. You will instead go on supplementary welfare allowance until a decision is made. If I were to advise I would suggest you do not wait until illness benefit runs out as you may not be entitled (can't be sure of this) to supplementary welfare allowance if illness benefit does run out.

Irishchick · 01-06-2015 10:19am

ouncer wrote: »

You can apply for disability allowance at any time. Once you apply you will lose your illness benefit. You will instead go on supplementary welfare allowance until a decision is made. If I were to advise I would suggest you do not wait until illness benefit runs out as you may not be entitled (can't be sure of this) to supplementary welfare allowance if illness benefit does run out.

I thought i'd be able to stay on illness benefit while the decision is being made?

Do you have to go to the SWO every week for the SWA or is it paid into the bank or post office after a while?

ouncer · 01-06-2015 10:32am

Irishchick wrote: »

I thought i'd be able to stay on illness benefit while the decision is being made?

Do you have to go to the SWO every week for the SWA or is it paid into the bank or post office after a while?

It will be paid at the post office. I suggest you go to your local social welfare office and sit down with them. They don't bite and the folks I have met have been extremely helpful. If you can't go yourself then get a family member or friend to go. You will not lose illness benefit by asking them questions and you will get the absolute correct answers from them rather than part guesses on the boards.ie forum

Dobs71 · 01-06-2015 11:20am

I have been on Illness Benefit (IB) while my application was being processed for Disability Allowance (DA). Then again I was told that I will never work in the field that I am trained in. I applied for DA and stayed on IB until I received the magical letter to confirm that I was awarded DA. My payment was then transferred from IB to DA. That is what happened to me I did not lose my IB payment during my DA application.
I am not sure if you stay on IB until your 2 years are up you are cut off IB and then will have to go to the Community Welfare Officer (CWO) while you apply for DA and wait for the outcome.
If a person's illness is to last as per the DA application criteria, then apply straight away for DA, a lot of people wait the two years on IB before they make an application for DA. In my honest opinion this would save a lot of trouble later on If people applied straight away for DA..

Irishchick · 01-06-2015 11:24am

Dobs71 wrote: »

I have been on Illness Benefit (IB) while my application was being processed for Disability Allowance (DA). Then again I was told that I will never work in the field that I am trained in. I applied for DA and stayed on IB until I received the magical letter to confirm that I was awarded DA. My payment was then transferred from IB to DA. That is what happened to me I did not lose my IB payment during my DA application.
I am not sure if you stay on IB until your 2 years are up you are cut off IB and then will have to go to the Community Welfare Officer (CWO) while you apply for DA and wait for the outcome.
If a person's illness is to last as per the DA application criteria, then apply straight away for DA, a lot of people wait the two years on IB before they make an application for DA. In my honest opinion this would save a lot of trouble later on If people applied straight away for DA..

Thanks for this I will apply straight away so. No point in waiting a year if I can still keep my IB while applying

Dobs71 · 01-06-2015 12:30pm

Irishchick wrote: »

Thanks for this I will apply straight away so. No point in waiting a year if I can still keep my IB while applying

That is the way it went for me. Other posters might have had different experiences with the department of Social Protection.
I was very pleased with my application the way it went for me, as it is hard to get DA now, as I have a similar complaint to yourself Irishchick.

Irishchick · 01-06-2015 12:33pm

Dobs71 wrote: »

That is the way it went for me. Other posters might have had different experiences with the department of Social Protection.
I was very pleased with my application the way it went for me, as it is hard to get DA now, as I have a similar complaint to yourself Irishchick.

Did you get it the first time or did you have to appeal? What sort of evidence did you submit? Were you waiting long?

Thanks for the info

Dobs71 · 01-06-2015 1:08pm

Irishchick wrote: »

Did you get it the first time or did you have to appeal? What sort of evidence did you submit? Were you waiting long?

Thanks for the info

I got it on the first application other people were not so lucky, they had to appeal and re-appeal. I think it was about 6 months in total from going to doctor to fill out DA application form, until I received my first DA payment.
My doctor (with him 30 years) put all my medical history to the application, the fortunate thing was that my GP was also the doctor for the organisation that I was working for so he had it all and he was not going to allow me to work with the problems that I had, he said I am unfit for work and not likely ever to resume work again due to my medical condition.

ouncer · 06-06-2015 1:04am

Dobs71 wrote: »

I got it on the first application other people were not so lucky, they had to appeal and re-appeal. I think it was about 6 months in total from going to doctor to fill out DA application form, until I received my first DA payment.
My doctor (with him 30 years) put all my medical history to the application, the fortunate thing was that my GP was also the doctor for the organisation that I was working for so he had it all and he was not going to allow me to work with the problems that I had, he said I am unfit for work and not likely ever to resume work again due to my medical condition.

From my experience you put all the reports together. You work with all the folks who understand and can help with reports.

livemusic4life · 15-06-2015 12:46pm

Irishchick wrote: »

Did you get it the first time or did you have to appeal? What sort of evidence did you submit? Were you waiting long?

Thanks for the info

Having gone through DA application with very similar complaints to yourself, let me give you some advice.

Don't wait to apply, as long as you have enough stamps to cover you, you will get illness benefit while you wait for DA.

Start compiling a diary, 7am had to be helped out of bed.
8am took my tablets. 9am had difficulty putting my shoes and socks on. Anything that affects your life over the course of a few days or a week. Its not required, but it personally made a big difference to my application - i was refused quite a lot of times even though i couldn't put one foot infront of the other.

You have to get medical assessments for Illness benefit right? (i was on injury benefit due to an occupational injury and i had to go for medical assessments) If you do get called for a medical assessment, phone the number at the bottom and ask if they can give you your assessment for DA at the same time - I did this eventually, and it worked out okay.

Its tough going. If you need letters from your specialists - remember to get the all important words in. Not fit for work for at least 12 months. This is the requirement that they turn people down for most. I wrote to all my specialists and asked them to specifically write this down, and they all did.

The next one that people in our age bracket get turned down for is, should your illness or injury stop you doing work that is appropriate for your age range. It may well be worth investing in an occupational Therapist report. I don't think they're cheap, but if some days you cannot even hold a pen, then an OT is the person to say it and get the SW to listen.

Make photocopies of everything. Everything, because they lose stuff all the time.

You sound like you should be okay, but really, you just don't know how long or what requirements. Younger people seem to have a tougher time.

Good luck.
PM if you need anything

Disability Allowance?

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