Disability Allowance review?

marti8

Yesterday I got a letter from the Disability Allowance "Control Section" at the Dept of Social Welfare (or Protection or whatever the hell they're calling it now) telling me to return it within 21 days once completed by my doctor. Now that's fine but why are they sending me one exactly? I've been on DA since 2007 due to depression. I was on the dole prior to that (with periods of education and work) but it was actually my CWO who told me I should go on DA, wasn't even my bloody idea! Anyway, things haven't changed since then, if anything they've gotten worse having been told by my doc a few months ago I *may* have ADHD. Haven't been assesed though, doc said it'd take ages to be seen - will need to at least put my name on the list anyway me thinks.

On top of that I was diagnosed with TMJ by a dentist a few weeks ago but may not see a specialist for an *initial* consultation for 12 to 18 months! (Was wondering wtf was the tinnitus I had? Constant tinnitus is just one side effect) Seperate to that I have a CAT scan in January in relation to some bloody problem with sinuses or my head or something (specialist told me but can't bloody remember what he said!) My short term memory seems to have being getting worse over the last few years and I'm only in my 30's. I also have asthma and am on 3 different meds for that.

All this crap and then they send me a letter from the control section to make me feel as though I'm somehow cheating the system or something - bullsh!t am I cheating! I had planned to go to UCC last Sept but deferred for a year, going next Sept, partly due to the fact I knew I wasn't upto it this year. It's not that I'm thick or anything, just that there are issues, tried 3rd level a few times before but crashed and burned each time. Has anyone else gotten such a letter from the DA section? How does it work - your doc fills in the form and that's that or your docs assesment is challanged or you see an independent doc or what? Now I have no problem seeing an independent doc or psychologist or whatever, do they do that when reassesing people who are on DA? When I saw the DSW doc originally he asked me to cough and took my blood pressure, wtf?!!! Also asked me how long depression had been going on, I said years and he asked had I ever attempted suicide and I said yeah, first time was when I was 11. That was pretty much all he asked.

Getting a letter like that makes you feel like you've done something wrong?!!! Thanks.

Clauric

The "Control Section" is the fraud detection and prevention unit of the Dept of Social Protection. They are probably doing a trawl of all records, and decided that your records look suspicious (I am not saying they are, but they might).

Wrt the depression, I understand from people working in DSP that depression is a "red flag" at the moment, and triggers an almost automatic review, especially in conjunction with other illnesses.

Send back the information they asked for, along with the back-ups from the doctor and dentist. They might send you to a DSP doctor and dentist, for a review. I suggest that you make sure that ducks are in a row, and you will be fine.

marti8

Clauric wrote: »

The "Control Section" is the fraud detection and prevention unit of the Dept of Social Protection. They are probably doing a trawl of all records, and decided that your records look suspicious (I am not saying they are, but they might).

Wrt the depression, I understand from people working in DSP that depression is a "red flag" at the moment, and triggers an almost automatic review, especially in conjunction with other illnesses.

Send back the information they asked for, along with the back-ups from the doctor and dentist. They might send you to a DSP doctor and dentist, for a review. I suggest that you make sure that ducks are in a row, and you will be fine.

Thanks. Yeah, I'll have the doc fill in that form and send it back - if they think I am pretending to suffer from depression so be it however I'm not pretending any such thing. For me this has been ongoing since an early age, sent to some assesment centre when I was a kid, guess HSE probably have records of that tucked away somewhere (but maybe not, that was the 80's) Attempted suicide a few times, never worked, lol....shouldn't laugh of course. One time it nearly did but they got me to the hospital on time. It's not as though I'm a total head case or can't be rational or coherent - I can be but that doesn't mean there aren't issues and that certainly doesn't mean I don't suffer from depression because I do. Think a psychologist also described me as a sociopath - lovely, lol. She's dead now - nah, only kidding.

I don't see how my records can look suspicious? I have been on DA since 2007, that's all.

There's probably a few issues that need to be addressed in that form: depression, ADHD, TMJ and depending on the CAT scan I'm getting maybe - or maybe not - something else. Oh well, when I sit back and think about it I think "f***!" but what can ya do, deal with it and move on the best ya can. I don't want to be on DA forever - one of the reasons I'm heading back to uni next Sept. Easiest thing is to do nothing, the harder option is to try and do something - sociopath or not, lol.

Miaireland

I work in a Doctor's Practice and nearly all our Patients on disability benefit have got them in the last few months. I wouldn't get upset or anything about it.

marti8

Miaireland wrote: »

I work in a Doctor's Practice and nearly all our Patients on disability benefit have got them in the last few months. I wouldn't get upset or anything about it.

There is fraud in the system, absolutely. And yeah, they do need to weed out what's fraud from what's fact. Mine is fact however. Part of me still thinks they don't give a f, they just want to reduce the numbers on DA or DB regardless. But maybe I'm wrong. Thanks.

Usersname

DA for depression :rolleyes:

marti8

Usersname wrote: »

DA for depression :rolleyes:

Well, seeing as depression is an illness/disability, yes...DA for depression.

cee_jay

Usersname wrote: »

DA for depression :rolleyes:

Usersname banned for a week for breach of forum charter. Please do not question anyone's entitlement to any State benefit on this forum.

stopusingoil

cAr0l wrote: »

Usersname banned for a week for breach of forum charter. Please do not question anyone's entitlement to any State benefit on this forum.

Usersname didn't question ANYBODY'S entitlement to ANYTHING

cArOl, you are just another power tripping mod that is ruining boards.ie

WHO'S WITH ME?

psycho-hope

marti8 wrote: »

Yesterday I got a letter from the Disability Allowance "Control Section" at the Dept of Social Welfare (or Protection or whatever the hell they're calling it now) telling me to return it within 21 days once completed by my doctor. Now that's fine but why are they sending me one exactly?

Mum is on DA too and shes got 2 of those forms over the last 2 years, apperently the first time it was becasue my bosses accountant had screwed up and had me earning more than I was( I live at home) and they were querying that the first time and the second time was because they didnt believe I was still in college.

They seem to pick random people tbh

marti8

psycho-hope wrote: »

Mum is on DA too and shes got 2 of those forms over the last 2 years, apperently the first time it was becasue my bosses accountant had screwed up and had me earning more than I was( I live at home) and they were querying that the first time and the second time was because they didnt believe I was still in college.

They seem to pick random people tbh

Thanks. Yeah, maybe it is simply random but not too sure about that. A random review would be of course but when the "Control" section contact you (the anti-fraud section) then it has ya thinking...wtf do they think I'm doing? What I found slightly odd was that I got that review form only a short few days after inquiring about getting BTEA (Back to Education Allowance) in another EU member state and almost ending up in an argument with the person at the other end of the line.

Anyway, I've no problem getting it filled in by my doc - have to see her over 101 other things in any case.

psycho-hope

marti8 wrote: »

Thanks. Yeah, maybe it is simply random but not too sure about that. A random review would be of course but when the "Control" section contact you (the anti-fraud section) then it has ya thinking...wtf do they think I'm doing? What I found slightly odd was that I got that review form only a short few days after inquiring about getting BTEA (Back to Education Allowance) in another EU member state and almost ending up in an argument with the person at the other end of the line.

Anyway, I've no problem getting it filled in by my doc - have to see her over 101 other things in any case.

Maybe it was the fact you were enquiring about BTEA in another country that made them send it out , as i said they sent it to mum the first time because they thought she wasnt declaring everything i was earning.

marti8

psycho-hope wrote: »

Maybe it was the fact you were enquiring about BTEA in another country that made them send it out , as i said they sent it to mum the first time because they thought she wasnt declaring everything i was earning.

It shouldn't have really, I mean BTEA is BTEA and you're entitled to get it (if you meet the conditions of course) anywhere in the EU provided the uni is publicly funded. Anyway, it was just an idea - not doing it. Thanks.

Miaireland

If they thought there was fraud going on they would send a form directly to the Doctor. I think you were just randomly selected. They may also be looking at extending the time between certs. For example moving you to six monthly rather than monthly certs or from weekly to monthly.

Don't forget the SW have to pay the Doctor each time you get a cert. They maybe trying to save money that way.

marti8

Miaireland wrote: »

If they thought there was fraud going on they would send a form directly to the Doctor. I think you were just randomly selected. They may also be looking at extending the time between certs. For example moving you to six monthly rather than monthly certs or from weekly to monthly.

Don't forget the SW have to pay the Doctor each time you get a cert. They maybe trying to save money that way.

Thanks but not too sure what you mean about "certs", I don't get certs? I mean at the very begining I can recall that for a few weeks , mybe a short few months, I did get some form from the doctor stamped or whatever but that was all - that all stopped when my disability allowance was awarded. I haven't been sending in certs for years. Should I have been? As far as I recall the DA section said I didn't need to or someone told me - can't recall though.

marti8

Unbelievable. Got a letter today saying my DA had been stopped upon review, letter sent on the 10th even thought I phoned them yesterday the 14th asking whether there had been any decision to be told no. Will appeal now. Now must find out what exactly I am appealing, what exactly did my doctor who doesn't know half of what's going on with me wrote......

A few weeks ago told my doc that I had the been to an ENT specialist and had to go back in March, my doc's reply was: oh who sent you there?......Eh, you did having told me I may have something called UACS/PND. Jeses! Then a couple of weeks ago was contacted by her to say my white blood ell count was high or whatever and they needed to investigate, mentioned PND to her and she asked but you don't have any gastric problems etc......eh, read my f*cking file, I do, was referred to a specialist bout it before but chickened out of the scope (camera down the throat and into stomach) test. Was on tablets for it too. I swear these doctors know sweet f all sometimes. Another doc at the same practice asked me did I really need asthma medications - well, seeing as I have asthma that has gotten progressively worse yes I f*cking do! I swear......

I need to know wtf that doc wrote in that review form because I know that is what the medical officer basis his/her decision on. Wouldn't be surprised if my doc didn't put down half the bloody things that are wrong with me! Going to ask my doc directly what she wrote and if she won't tell me or doesn't recall I guess I'll have to make an FOI request to the Dept. I've also been referred to a psychologist to be assesed for ADHD (oddly at that very same hospital where as a child, 25 years ago, I was sent to be assesed by child psychologists etc)

I'm now thinking of paying to get a diagnosis from a private psychologist as to whether I indeed have depression or not and if not then wtf do I have. Why do I feel depressed. Why do I constantly have no f'ing energy, why do I feel constantly fatigued - the number of times I have had to cancel doctor appointments is unreal, simply because I was too tired to get from A to B. F them if they think I won't fight this. Things have gotten worse over the years not better and then they stop disability, it's just ridiculous. I wouldn't be surprised if my doc didn't write down half of what's wrong with me. Sorry for the rant.

freefone

If it makes anyone here feeling better - my stepdaughter who has genetic physical disability what isnt treatable also recieved similar letter.
She just laughed, but to be honest - that was insulting!
As her situation is very sad and you would notice her disability and there are no cure for it. And still sent out such letter!
She works part time (and good for her, as there is nothing wrong with her mentaly, why should young girl be stuck in house forever?) and her doc needed to prove them that working is good for her health! Its hilarious - she is doing anything not to be on dole, but bureaucracy wouldnt want her to.

marti8

Well, I've made an appointment with a psychologist for an assesment or consultation and to have a report drawn up or whatever they do. Always a little nervous around psychologists - guess it comes from when I was a kid and all the questions and stuff. But has to be done. If they really really believe I can enter the workplace they are very mistaken. Sometimes I can barely get out my front door.

Also sent a letter requesting under the FOI that they (the Dept) release to me the medical review form which my doctor completed and sent to them. Need to see exactly what she wrote. I swear this is stressful as f*ck. I might suffer from depression, I might have ADHD but that doesn't mean I'm stupid or thick - if they think they can steamroll me or whatever they are sorely mistaken. No wonder my bloody white blood cell is high with all the stress over the last few weeks. F*ck.

marti8

Well, it's taken a few weeks but on review they've reinstated my DA. Shouldn't have ever been stopped in the first place tbh.

eco2live

I presume that the DA system is in such a bad state that they did just sent these letters to most people so that they had to prove themselves unwell.

A lot of GP's are useless when it comes to treating mental health issues. Give them a few pills and then ask them in six months why they are still depressed.

By the way for the people who question depression as being a disabling illness, shame on you. Its hard enough for people with mental health issues without the judgement and stigma of society.

Glad everything worked out in the end for you OP

mp22

Closing time I think.