''Not so disabled as to require full time care and attention''

sunbeam

The above was the verdict on the form letter I received in reply to my application for Carer’s Allowance on behalf of my mother today. Can anybody explain to me what exactly ‘so disabled as to require fulltime care and attention’ means in practical terms?

My mother is 73 and suffers from a number of serious health conditions including but not limited to severe arthritis, diabetes, and depression (she has been hospitalised in relation to the first and third of these). She is bent double, walks with great difficulty with a stick and is unable to leave the house. Her hip literally collapsed several years ago, but she had a bad fall after having it replaced and suffers from constant chronic pain. If she falls, (which she does on a frequent basis) she is unable to get up by herself. In addition she often needs help to get up from bed or from her armchair.

She is now unable to wash or dress without assistance. As she has great difficulty controlling her blood sugar levels she gets tends to get very tired. Consequently she needs to be supervised as she has a tendency to dose off and I am afraid she may fall into the open fire or otherwise do herself harm. While living alone she often neglected to eat, which only exacerbated that problem. She takes 23 tablets per day, and needs someone there to make sure she takes them as she tends to forget.

Our GP said that he could see no reason why I would not be entitled to Carer’s allowance for her and filled out and signed the relevant form. In addition he stated that she was not fit to attend for examination due to mobility problems. He did not however include any additional information. I’m going to see him tomorrow about appealing the decision.

So I’m just wondering if anyone knows exactly how disabled one needs to be to qualify for a Carer’s Allowance. Do you need to be bedridden?

There is little chance of me getting work here. If I leave she may well have a serious fall or do enough damage to herself to require institutional care at a multiple of what it would cost to pay the allowance to me. I am hoping it will not come to that.

Falkorre

If you are in Dublin, Clondalkin Citzens Information Center (01-4579056), has a advocacy officer whos job it is to fight for the decision to be reversed.
Sounds to me like you may have a very valid case.
If you are outside dublin, just contact your local CIC.

This situation is very very common, you do not need to be bedridden. I can tell you here and now, what hurt your case was the lack of the examination. They get so many applications that often the ones without things like that are just declined, and if appealed will be taken notice of.

Hope that helps,

B

Victor

Originally posted by sunbeam
In addition he stated that she was not fit to attend for examination due to mobility problems. He did not however include any additional information.

This may have been the deciding factor for refusal. Had he said "Not fit to attend for examination due to mobility problems - advanced age, arthritis, diabetes, and depression. Please advise on further examination requirements." it is likely it would have had a much more sympathetic hearing or even straight-forward approval.

You might also enquire as to whether a part-time payment is possible.

sunbeam

Thanks Dawntreader and Victor.

I don't think a part time payment is an option. As you know recipients of Carer's Allowance are entitled to work or attend an educational course for around ten hours per week but they are still supposed to be caring for the person on a fulltime basis. I'm still registered as 'writing up' a research degree (living off dwindling savings and a loan and not claiming other social welfare payments) and thought that's where I might have a problem. I made a huge effort to get letters from the college confirming that there is no attendance required and that I am not a fulltime student etc. The letter I received today said that the application had only been assessed on medical grounds so far, so I hope they don't find any other reasons to turn me down.

I thought the medical section of the application form (PDF here ) was pretty vague, especially the ’tick the box’ section and I honestly don't know how disability could be accurately assessed from that alone (except perhaps in extreme cases). Still I assumed that my GP would have some experience of what was sufficient..

I’m in rural Mayo and am not sure where our nearest CIC is, but I’m off to find out…

Victor

www.comhairle.ie

mechanima

Sunbeam that sounds DREADFUL!!

It seems to me that you have a clear case...

I'd say it was refused on either the lack of examination or additional information.

Appeal, and I hope you win.

G

sunbeam

Thanks Mechanima

I went to the GP who seemed puzzled and angry that she hadn't got it and said he would write a letter. I asked him several times about when I could expect to receive the letter, but he just fobbed me off. He is very overbearing and I would not be surprised if he just sends it in himself (but of course I'm going to keep demanding it).

mechanima

I don't claim to know the details of these things, so I can't say much, but I do know from personal experience that they can refuse these allowances for the most trivial and peculiar little reasons without explaining properly.

When they do the trick is to find the little glitch and fix it...there might be a point in actually phoning the department and asking for an explanation of the grounds for refusal?

I wonder if your mother is under any specialists who might be able and prepared to confirm her condition?

G

Falkorre

You are entitled to know, by law, the reason for you being refused.
The CIC are ur best bet.
Also, if you are already on "normal" unemployment benefit (dole) that may be the problem as you may be down as "available for work" heard of a case of that only today.

B

sunbeam

Originally posted by Dawntreader
Also, if you are already on "normal" unemployment benefit (dole) that may be the problem as you may be down as "available for work" heard of a case of that only today.

I'm actually not on UA as I had originally decided not to look for a job until the thesis was done (tried and failed to write it while working fulltime in Dublin and constantly travelling home to care for my mother). I'm a bit concerned that if I apply for UA after being refused carer's allowance (and I may have to as I'm very broke) they could turn around and tell me that I'm caring for my mother and am unavailable for fulltime work.

Asok

http://www.carersireland.com/

They used to have branch offices around the place but alot have shut down,someone there may be able to help you with advice/support.

sunbeam

Well the appeal was successful and I was awarded the allowance last week. Thanks for all the replies and advice.

Amz

Congratulations sunbeam, glad to hear it went well!