Carers allowance waiting time 2015 - See mod note in post 1

oconnol1 · 08-02-2015 1:48am #1

Mod

If you choose to post experiences about Carer's Allowance applications, please make sure you do not include any personal information.

Time taken to approve carers allowance application in 2015. If you have submitted a carers allowance application in 2015 can you please post details of date submitted and any correspondence you receive from the Department of Social Protection in Longford.

oconnol1 · 08-02-2015 2:18am

oconnol1 wrote: »

Time taken to approve carers allowance application in 2015. If you have submitted a carers allowance application in 2015 can you please post details of date submitted and any correspondence you receive from the Department of Social Protection in Longford.

I submitted an application on the 05 Feb 2015.

oconnol1 · 11-02-2015 10:24pm

According to the DSP the current waiting time is 16 weeks.

Lucasgirl1980 · 11-05-2015 12:43pm

Hi, I applied for Carers allowance end of February, got a text message on March 5th saying they received my application & it was being processed. Heard no more so today i rang & woman told me they were doing applications received a week before mine so it should be in the next two weeks. Watch this space! Will post again when i find out.......either way!

oconnol1 · 11-05-2015 2:19pm

Lucasgirl1980 wrote: »

Hi, I applied for Carers allowance end of February, got a text message on March 5th saying they received my application & it was being processed. Heard no more so today i rang & woman told me they were doing applications received a week before mine so it should be in the next two weeks. Watch this space! Will post again when i find out.......either way!

Hello, I received a request for more information last week with 21 days to reply. I posted the requested information today. Will keep you posted.

Lucasgirl1980 · 19-05-2015 1:27pm

Hi, I received a letter today saying I have been awarded Carers Allowance backdated from 05/03/15 which is the date i received the text confirming they received my application. Also, received a free travel pass. Letter states I'll receive a letter shortly about any arrears due which has been agreed from 05/03/15 to 11/06/15. If anyone has any questions feel free to ask. It's a long wait but certainly a lot shorter than i expected, compared to people i know who have in some cases, waited up to 8 months (3 years ago) so it has improved a lot.

Lucasgirl1980 · 19-05-2015 1:55pm

One other thing, I had been claiming Job Seekers Allowance when i sent my application & had heard differing claims about how you cannot claim CA when claiming JSA as you must be available to work. Just in case anyone is wondering because it's hard to get a solid answer on that anywhere, some say you must come off JSA & claim a temporary emergency payment. So just to confirm that you CAN claim JSA & apply for CA. I imagine the JSA amount per week I received will be docked from any arrears i claim. If not i'll update but i'd be shocked if it isn't.

oconnol1 · 19-05-2015 7:42pm

Lucasgirl1980 wrote: »

Hi, I received a letter today saying I have been awarded Carers Allowance backdated from 05/03/15 which is the date i received the text confirming they received my application. Also, received a free travel pass. Letter states I'll receive a letter shortly about any arrears due which has been agreed from 05/03/15 to 11/06/15. If anyone has any questions feel free to ask. It's a long wait but certainly a lot shorter than i expected, compared to people i know who have in some cases, waited up to 8 months (3 years ago) so it has improved a lot.

Hello there, I also got my carers approved today, backdated to 12/02/15.

HeatherB22 · 21-05-2015 2:54pm

I got letter today saying appeal was allowed , my file has been sent back to Longford. Does anyone know how long it takes for payment to come through then ? Tried to ring Longford today and was on hold for 40 mins before I had to put phone down.

oconnol1 · 21-05-2015 4:16pm

HeatherB22 wrote: »

I got letter today saying appeal was allowed , my file has been sent back to Longford. Does anyone know how long it takes for payment to come through then ? Tried to ring Longford today and was on hold for 40 mins before I had to put phone down.

Hello there, try phoning them around 11am tomorrow morning. You should get your approval letter soon. You will also receive a free travel pass also. The free travel pass usually comes first.

RachelDDD · 21-05-2015 6:35pm

Lucasgirl1980 wrote: »

One other thing, I had been claiming Job Seekers Allowance when i sent my application & had heard differing claims about how you cannot claim CA when claiming JSA as you must be available to work. Just in case anyone is wondering because it's hard to get a solid answer on that anywhere, some say you must come off JSA & claim a temporary emergency payment. So just to confirm that you CAN claim JSA & apply for CA. I imagine the JSA amount per week I received will be docked from any arrears i claim. If not i'll update but i'd be shocked if it isn't.

Hi Lucasgirl, I am delighted to hear you have been granted the Carers Allowance. I was in the same situation as you (on JSA) and hoping to hear a verdict any day now. I am just wondering if you know if you will be entitled to the Respite Grant in July? I read that you could not get it if you were previously on JSA. I have been looking after my daughter since I dropped out of college last October and automatically went on JSA. When I had a review with my career officer, she said I should really be on a Carers Allowance, hence the application. Would love to know if anyone else has been in this situation.

Libra2015 · 22-05-2015 2:50pm

Hi there I applied for Carers Allowance at the end of February, received a text message from them stating they received my application on the 6th of March 2015. Had not heard anything since so I called them two weeks ago to see how my application was processing and was told I would know the by the end of May. Still have not heard anything so I called again today to be told that I would not hear anything until the end of June that each application takes 4 months. Feel very let down when I was told two weeks ago that I would know by the end of May. Anyone else going through this situation and have they yet heard anything if they applied around the same time as me? Thanks again.

RachelDDD · 22-05-2015 7:09pm

Libra2015 wrote: »

Hi there I applied for Carers Allowance at the end of February, received a text message from them stating they received my application on the 6th of March 2015. Had not heard anything since so I called them two weeks ago to see how my application was processing and was told I would know the by the end of May. Still have not heard anything so I called again today to be told that I would not hear anything until the end of June that each application takes 4 months. Feel very let down when I was told two weeks ago that I would know by the end of May. Anyone else going through this situation and have they yet heard anything if they applied around the same time as me? Thanks again.

Hi, I applied at exactly the same time as you and also got a text on the 6th March saying it was being processed. Still no news, but I will phone on Monday and keep you posted if they tell me anything different.

Libra2015 · 22-05-2015 7:46pm

RachelDDD wrote: »

Hi, I applied at exactly the same time as you and also got a text on the 6th March saying it was being processed. Still no news, but I will phone on Monday and keep you posted if they tell me anything different.

The woman that I was on the phone to today didn't seem to quite know anything about Carers Allowance which didn't make her to be any help to me which made me call back again that day to get a man that seemed to know what he was talking about. He told me that they were dealing with applications from mid - end February now and that I should hear about a decision on my application within the next week or two wether he was telling the truth or not is beyond me. Hopefully we won't have to wait too much longer but I will keep you posted either way.

RachelDDD · 22-05-2015 7:59pm

Libra2015 wrote: »

The woman that I was on the phone to today didn't seem to quite know anything about Carers Allowance which didn't make her to be any help to me which made me call back again that day to get a man that seemed to know what he was talking about. He told me that they were dealing with applications from mid - end February now and that I should hear about a decision on my application within the next week or two wether he was telling the truth or not is beyond me. Hopefully we won't have to wait too much longer but I will keep you posted either way.

Fingers crossed! If I have any news I will post too

bmcc10 · 28-05-2015 7:09pm

Hi all, Just wondering if anybody can help me out here, I applied for carers allowance in February and got a letter saying id recieve my payment on 28/05 which is today I got the money for one week but the letter said i'm due payment from 05/03 to 27/05, Do I have to ring them or do I recieve it at later date?

HeatherB22 · 28-05-2015 9:22pm

Hi, Finally received a letter to say When I will get my first weekly payment but I am exactly the same as bmcc10, how long does it take for them to pay the arrears amount?

oconnol1 · 04-06-2015 12:38pm

bmcc10 wrote: »

Hi all, Just wondering if anybody can help me out here, I applied for carers allowance in February and got a letter saying id recieve my payment on 28/05 which is today I got the money for one week but the letter said i'm due payment from 05/03 to 27/05, Do I have to ring them or do I recieve it at later date?

Hi there, did you get the arrears yet or did you call them in Longford.

oconnol1 · 04-06-2015 12:39pm

HeatherB22 wrote: »

Hi, Finally received a letter to say When I will get my first weekly payment but I am exactly the same as bmcc10, how long does it take for them to pay the arrears amount?

Hi there, did you get the arrears after.

HeatherB22 · 04-06-2015 12:44pm

oconnol1 wrote: »

Hi there, did you get the arrears after.

hi
No I have not received any news on the arrears as yet, does anyone have an idea how long it usually takes ?

oconnol1 · 04-06-2015 1:04pm

HeatherB22 wrote: »

hi
No I have not received any news on the arrears as yet, does anyone have an idea how long it usually takes ?

Hello there, not sure how long it takes for arrears to be paid. Waiting for arrears myself. Maybe I will give them a call in Longford. Did you call Longford yourself ?

HeatherB22 · 04-06-2015 1:34pm

no did not call longford, let me know what they say when you ring, but what i seem to think is it depends who you get through to, to what you hear.

Libra2015 · 05-06-2015 3:46pm

Hi all was onto DSP regarding my Carers Allowance Application that I had sent in the End of February, I was told today that my application is now with a deciding officer and that they should have a decision regarding my case soon. My question is when your application was now with a deciding officer how long were you waiting for a answer from them? Thanks in advance

oconnol1 · 05-06-2015 4:20pm

Libra2015 wrote: »

Hi all was onto DSP regarding my Carers Allowance Application that I had sent in the End of February, I was told today that my application is now with a deciding officer and that they should have a decision regarding my case soon. My question is when your application was now with a deciding officer how long were you waiting for a answer from them? Thanks in advance

Hello there, you will receive a reply next week. The DO is very fast. Last stage of application. Best of luck.

Libra2015 · 05-06-2015 4:28pm

oconnol1 wrote: »

Hello there, you will receive a reply next week. The DO is very fast. Last stage of application. Best of luck.

Thank god! hopefully this long wait is coming to an end! Fingers and toes crossed its a positive outcome

thanks again

oconnol1 · 07-06-2015 11:26am

HeatherB22 wrote: »

no did not call longford, let me know what they say when you ring, but what i seem to think is it depends who you get through to, to what you hear.

Hi, I called Longford on Friday afternoon, arrears payments will be made 2-3 weeks after initial first carers payment.

gettingold2013 · 16-06-2015 11:31am

Hi
I had Carers Allow for my son for 8 years, had to re apply last year. Currently 13 months waiting for a reply. I have phoned 4 times to be told application is still with the Doctor. Lost all Household package (electric bills are becoming stressful, Tv license writing to me as if I was a criminal, and I should of known that it should of been paid like yesterday (didn't understand that it could be paid monthly) missed out on a family holiday with my son, as no respite allowance this year. WHAT NEXT

oconnol1 · 16-06-2015 11:39am

gettingold2013 wrote: »

Hi
I had Carers Allow for my son for 8 years, had to re apply last year. Currently 13 months waiting for a reply. I have phoned 4 times to be told application is still with the Doctor. Lost all Household package (electric bills are becoming stressful, Tv license writing to me as if I was a criminal, and I should of known that it should of been paid like yesterday (didn't understand that it could be paid monthly) missed out on a family holiday with my son, as no respite allowance this year. WHAT NEXT

Has you son reached 16 and was previously DA.

gettingold2013 · 16-06-2015 12:11pm

oconnol1 wrote: »

Has you son reached 16 and was previously DA.

Hi
Yes that's it. I applied end April last year, they wrote to say they needed more info, doctors, Autism services etc, and that's the last time they wrote to me. All I can say is the Deciding Officer/Doctor must be flat out. (Also had to apply twice for child benefit as got turned down for that as well, my son is in an Autism Unit in a mainstream school and will be going back to 3rd year, he will probably be in secondary school until 20 years)

gettingold2013 · 16-06-2015 12:18pm

oconnol1 wrote: »

Has you son reached 16 and was previously DA.

Hi
Yes that's it he reached 16 and was receiving DCA. I applied end April last year, they wrote to say they needed more info, doctors, Autism services etc, and that's the last time they wrote to me. All I can say is the Deciding Officer/Doctor must be flat out. (Also had to apply twice for child benefit as got turned down for that as well, because of age. My son is in an Autism Unit in a mainstream school and will be going back to 3rd year, he will probably be in secondary school until 20 years) He managed to get Disability allow almost straight away, however because he lives with us (16yrs) he cant get the Home Package, so we lose out there.

oconnol1 · 16-06-2015 12:52pm

gettingold2013 wrote: »

Hi
Yes that's it he reached 16 and was receiving DCA. I applied end April last year, they wrote to say they needed more info, doctors, Autism services etc, and that's the last time they wrote to me. All I can say is the Deciding Officer/Doctor must be flat out. (Also had to apply twice for child benefit as got turned down for that as well, because of age. My son is in an Autism Unit in a mainstream school and will be going back to 3rd year, he will probably be in secondary school until 20 years) He managed to get Disability allow almost straight away, however because he lives with us (16yrs) he cant get the Home Package, so we lose out there.

Hello there, if you get approved for carers you will get the home care package back and it will be backdated. Did you send back all the requested information. Contact your local TD, they can help things along. You can request an oral hearing if the carers is refused.

gettingold2013 · 16-06-2015 1:20pm

Thank you for your help, I didn't know you could ask for an oral hearing. Some times I think it probably isn't worth applying, as I don't think I could do it all over again, but I am sure that's what they want us to do, give up.

Libra2015 · 17-06-2015 10:32am

Hi there

Just a quick question, got a letter from my deciding officer looking for more information regarding my case giving me 21 days to reply. Posted all relevant information that she needed yesterday. Can anyone tell me if they also had to do this how long were they waiting for reply from the DO regarding their case. Thanks

RachelDDD · 17-06-2015 10:53am

Libra2015 wrote: »

Hi there

Just a quick question, got a letter from my deciding officer looking for more information regarding my case giving me 21 days to reply. Posted all relevant information that she needed yesterday. Can anyone tell me if they also had to do this how long were they waiting for reply from the DO regarding their case. Thanks

Hi, I had the same thing a few weeks ago and within a week of sending the information back, I received a letter saying the Carers Allowance had been approved. I also received the Free Travel Card the same day and the payment came through a week later. Best of luck.

Libra2015 · 17-06-2015 11:10am

RachelDDD wrote: »

Hi, I had the same thing a few weeks ago and within a week of sending the information back, I received a letter saying the Carers Allowance had been approved. I also received the Free Travel Card the same day and the payment came through a week later. Best of luck.

That's great news

thanks so much for letting me know, hopefully all this waiting and sending in more information will be worth it in the end

thanks again !!

gettingold2013 · 17-06-2015 5:12pm

Libra2015 wrote: »

Hi there

Just a quick question, got a letter from my deciding officer looking for more information regarding my case giving me 21 days to reply. Posted all relevant information that she needed yesterday. Can anyone tell me if they also had to do this how long were they waiting for reply from the DO regarding their case. Thanks

Please let me know how long it takes to hear back.

Libra2015 · 17-06-2015 6:00pm

gettingold2013 wrote: »

Please let me know how long it takes to hear back.

No problem will do.

oconnol1 · 18-06-2015 11:29am

HeatherB22 wrote: »

hi
No I have not received any news on the arrears as yet, does anyone have an idea how long it usually takes ?

Hello, I received arrears payment today, two weeks after initial carers payment.

bmcc10 · 19-06-2015 5:34pm

oconnol1 wrote: »

Hello, I received arrears payment today, two weeks after initial carers payment.

What way is arrears payed? Did you get a letter saying how much arrears you where getting ?

oconnol1 · 19-06-2015 5:35pm

bmcc10 wrote: »

What way is arrears payed? Did you get a letter saying how much arrears you where getting ?

Hi, didn't get a letter yet, the arrears were paid into my bank account.

HeatherB22 · 20-06-2015 4:21pm

oconnol1 wrote: »

Hello, I received arrears payment today, two weeks after initial carers payment.

Hopefully I wont have long to Wait then ðŸ˜Š

poppy6488 · 28-06-2015 7:08pm

Hello folks. I understand the Carers allowance is means tested. (Certain there'll be no problems there) but can anyone give me an idea. I have recently been diagnosed with MS and my husband has applied to be my carer. He is on illness benefit since February, having been on jobseekers allowance prior to that. Will there still be a long drawn-out delay, and will it go to a deciding officer, or is MS considered worthy enough? Many thanks in advance.

RachelDDD · 01-07-2015 10:52pm

poppy6488 wrote: »

Hello folks. I understand the Carers allowance is means tested. (Certain there'll be no problems there) but can anyone give me an idea. I have recently been diagnosed with MS and my husband has applied to be my carer. He is on illness benefit since February, having been on jobseekers allowance prior to that. Will there still be a long drawn-out delay, and will it go to a deciding officer, or is MS considered worthy enough? Many thanks in advance.

Hi Poppy, from my experience once you make the initial application for the Carers Allowance it takes approximately 4-5 months for your case to be looked at. Then it seems to be a very fast process, if they are missing information they will send you a letter and within a week or so you will get a final decision. I think the big delay is really in the early stages as there are so many people applying for it. MS is classed as a long term condition as you know, and I have no doubt your husband will get it without any problems. I wish you both all the best

.

njs030 · 05-07-2015 7:43pm

RachelDDD wrote: »

Hi Poppy, from my experience once you make the initial application for the Carers Allowance it takes approximately 4-5 months for your case to be looked at. Then it seems to be a very fast process, if they are missing information they will send you a letter and within a week or so you will get a final decision. I think the big delay is really in the early stages as there are so many people applying for it. MS is classed as a long term condition as you know, and I have no doubt your husband will get it without any problems. I wish you both all the best .

I got mine within 8 weeks of applying though my child already had dca approved which possibly speeds it up.

carfiosaoorl · 12-07-2015 12:02am

My application was received by then on the 1st of May and was approved 6 weeks later. A few days after I got the letter of approval my arrears were paid. I just applied for household benefits package. Anyone know how long that usually takes?

njs030 · 16-07-2015 2:24pm

carfiosaoorl wrote: »

My application was received by then on the 1st of May and was approved 6 weeks later. A few days after I got the letter of approval my arrears were paid. I just applied for household benefits package. Anyone know how long that usually takes?

Mine was 5 weeks exactly!

Debred · 21-07-2015 10:01pm

Hi I applied for carer's allowance on May 8th.Partner had a stroke in January.I still work 15 hrs.Could someone please advise me on how much I will receive.Heard nothing from them either

verbaldubliner · 11-08-2015 2:33pm

hi, new to the forum but have been reading about others experiences waiting on carers allowance.i just got the appeal allowed letter with file sent back to carers section last week but no information on when payment/arrears will start.how long till i hear something or is it best to phone longford?

RachelDDD · 11-08-2015 3:44pm

verbaldubliner wrote: »

hi, new to the forum but have been reading about others experiences waiting on carers allowance.i just got the appeal allowed letter with file sent back to carers section last week but no information on when payment/arrears will start.how long till i hear something or is it best to phone longford?

Hi, I got the first payment within a week of receipt of the letter but the arrears have still yet to come (2 months later). Other people seem to have received them within a couple of weeks of initial payment though. I have been told its because my Intreo office are not responding to their letters with the request for figures etc. Frustrating :mad:

verbaldubliner · 12-08-2015 7:48am

Thanks. I'll wait it out then as ringing these places can be annoying. Perhaps the appeals office might help with intreo?

verbaldubliner · 01-09-2015 2:41pm

still waiting on the letter/payment /letter of approval. i actually thought after winning the appeal things would progress quickly.

Carers allowance waiting time 2015 - See mod note in post 1

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