Illness Benefit Appeal - how long to hear

trav3ls

HI All, this is my first time posting here. I hope I'm in the right place.

Anyway, I was on illness benefit since Feb 10 for depression. I was called for a medical assessment early June & got a letter a week later to say that while I wasnt fit for my regular type of work, that I was fit for other types of work & I was cut off.

I appealed this decision as I have been getting worse & worse & now find it so hard to even leave the house. I was called for a second medical in August - it was super short (much shorter thant he first assessment - I really think it lasted one or two minutes) - but when I left the nurse said to me she doesnt think I will have any problems. Its now been 3.5 weeks & I havent heard anything either way. To say it is causing me anxiety is an understatement. Does anyone know how long it takes to hear back once the appeal assessment has taken place? Many thanks.

yabadabado

it can take months in some cases.ring the appeals office and check has it been sent back to illness benefit and then get on to them.more chance of it been sorted if you keep on to them.

trav3ls

Really months? Why does it take so long? Thats unreal. Dont think I have it in me to chase them up - the whole thing has taken so much out of me already - but am really struggling without the money. Fingers crossed I hear back soon - I just want to know if Im getting it back or not. Thanks for the reply.

nojunkmaill

By appealing, what do you mean exactly.

Did you appeal to the Cheif Appeals Office or just go in and ask for it to be looked at again?

I'm thinking the latter and that's why they called you in for an assessment.

If that's the case then it shouldn't be too long - possibly up to 6 weeks, give the section a ring.

If you submitted an actual appeal to the Appeals Office then there is about a 9 month backlog.

trav3ls

I dont think it was the Chief Appeals Office, it was the Social Welfare Appeals Office in D'Olier St - and they sent me back into the place on Pearse St for another medical assessment - which is where I also had the first one - I was waiting two months for the assessment which I suppose wasnt too and - so hopefully you are right & I only have another few weeks then to wait. Thanks

yabadabado

trav3ls wrote: »

I dont think it was the Chief Appeals Office, it was the Social Welfare Appeals Office in D'Olier St -

Its the same place .

trav3ls

Just thought Id let you know that I got the letter from the Appeals Office - it arrived 6 weeks after the medical assessment. The second assessor found me incapable of work so my appeal was successful & my illness benefit will be re-instated. Thanks again for your help.

billiejean123

Hi,

I would appreciate some advice. PLEASE bear with me and read through. It's pretty long. I went to my GP in August last year, four months after giving birth to my son. I'd bad psoriasis which got worse in pregnancy, I felt tired, run down and down in general. She suggested signing on for illness benefit and I did. She said not to be in a hurry back to work and that she'd write a long letter about my psoriasis if social needed her too.

I went back to her for a repeat script and I told her that I'd been weepy and feeling low and explained a couple of things on my mind. She suggested seeing a counsellor but I wasn't diagnosed with anything like anxiety, pnd etc... I thought I'd manage without talking to a stranger and I continued on just seeing the dermatology nurse re: my psoriasis and just getting on with my life even though I've been experiencing panic attacks, lack of sleep, eating problems, nervousness over stupid things, sadness and happiness close together. Strange feelings that I've never had before and that I've never told anyone about until now.

I got a letter in November to state that social welfare wanted info from my GP about my illness. I sent it to my doc with a note saying that I felt low and I was going to see a counsellor. I called a voluntary counselling service and they still haven't sent for me. I called them in January and they offered me a date that I couldn't attend and I've had nothing since.

I went to an illness benefit assessment doctor and they assessed me on what was on my certs i.e. psoriasis and nothing else. They never even asked me how it impacted on my mental functioning, never mind how low I've been feeling and that made me think my doc didn't mention it to them, even though she wrote a letter to my bank stating I was on illness benefit for psoriasis plus I was experiencing some pnd. I just mentioned at the end of my assessment that I was waiting to see a counsellor and the welfare doctor said 'for what, anxiety'. I said 'yes, I don't really know what's wrong with me' and that was it. My psoriasis is quite good now but my mental health isn't and I've been found capable for work but not the work I'd been doing. I'm baffled! I have given this thought and I really don't think anyone would employ me. I wouldn't be reliable and I couldn't sell myself in an interview plus I wouldn't know where to start now that I'm not suitable for my previous line of work. I wanted to do rehab work (and get an exemption for this) and train in something new in baby steps but I can't now.

Is there any point in appealing this? I mean if psoriasis was on my certs only and nothing was mentioned with regards to my mental health what can I do? Would social not just say that my mental health is another illness and therefore a new claim or can it be linked to the claim I was on for IB for psoriasis. I did call IB earlier and they did say it could be linked but I don't know if it is because of psoriasis that I feel so bad. Please help! I'm stuck now. I've been told to sign on for jobseekers but I'm not up to jobseeking and I'm paranoid now about seeing my doctor incase she thinks I'm a phony. Help please!

LegacyUser

Hi I applied for Illness Benefit and I havent heard back from no one I kept ringing and no one seems to be answering the phone. How long do I have to wait fot it to come through.