The Sick

trench foot

Hi,

I've been unemployed now over three years. During that time I have

picked up jobs here and there but could never hold onto them because I

felt I had very bad anxiety and this effected me very much while I did

work. The longest job i ever held down was for over 3 weeks.

After 3 years of this constant pain I have decided to apply for sickness

benefit as I feel i will never be able to cope with a full time job.

So can anyone tell me how I should go about applying for sick benfit?

I would appreciate your advice!

maxwell smart

I reckon first you'll need to go to the doctor to support your claim. More than likely there is a form of some sort to be filled in by the doctor.
Now I'm not 100% sure on this, but I think its disability benifit you need to apply for. I think that illness benifit claims can only start when in employment.

Citizens Information: Graham

Hi trench foot


I think maxwell smart is right and that it is probably Disability Allowance you should look into. This payment is means tested and does involve providing medical evidence and being assessed by the DSFA's medical assessors.

You can find out more about applying for Disability Allowance here: http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Schemes/IllnessDisabilityAndCaring/PeoplewithDisabilities/DisabilityAllowance/Pages/da.aspx

For very detailed information, the Operational Guidelines for Disability Allowance are here: http://www.welfare.ie/EN/OperationalGuidelines/Pages/disall.aspx

You can also get a general overview of benefits for people who are sick or who have a disability here: http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/social-welfare/social-welfare-payments/disability-and-illness/benefits-to-people-who-are-sick-or-have-a-disability

Graham Long
Citizens Information