Is cancer a disability? Seeking DA :(

Chris Hansen

Hi all
Recently diagnosed with cancer and submitted all the documentation for my claim 2 weeks ago and havent heard nothing yet; in the mean time, im wondering if i will actually be successful as im 21 years old and living at home with my parents who are looking after me, i just graduated college and have no major savings or income. Does anyone have any idea if cancer falls under the classification as a disability, or know of anyone that had cancer and was successful? I am not eligible for illness benefit.

I would be really appreciative of a response, many thanks in advance.

Cill Dara Abu

AFAIK Cancer patients do not have to pay for any medical treatment.

Sorry to hear that, I wish you luck with it.

Chris Hansen

Cill Dara Abu wrote: »

AFAIK Cancer patients do not have to pay for any medical treatment.

Sorry to hear that, I wish you luck with it.

The treatment is indeed free, but i am actually wondering am i entitled to DA as i can no longer work and had to give up my job?

Shield

AFAIK they assess how the cancer affects you, and decide whether you're disabled based on a medical assessment.

lambox

as 1 in 3 of us are supposed to suffer welcome to the the club

Chris Hansen

Shield wrote: »

AFAIK they assess how the cancer affects you, and decide whether you're disabled based on a medical assessment.

Thats good news, as I had a job and was no longer able to work so I have zero income at the moment, cheers!

Shield

Yes, but they will be the ones who decide whether you couldn't work anymore or not, not you. That's the unfair part. Some people milk the benefits system when they become sick, and that's why assessments need to be carried out.

Plenty of people who have cancer can still work as long as their employer makes reasonable adjustments to allow them attend treatments, and a lot prefer the option of remaining in work rather than sitting at home with Jeremy Kyle for company all day.

Chris Hansen

Shield wrote: »

Yes, but they will be the ones who decide whether you couldn't work anymore or not, not you. That's the unfair part. Some people milk the benefits system when they become sick, and that's why assessments need to be carried out.

Plenty of people who have cancer can still work as long as their employer makes reasonable adjustments to allow them attend treatments, and a lot prefer the option of remaining in work rather than sitting at home with Jeremy Kyle for company all day.

I wish it were possible in my case, if i hear "At the end of the day.." one more time......:mad:

nothing

If it affects your ability to work, and will continue to affect it for a considerable amount of time (not sure what they judge to be considerable!), then you'll more than likely be entitled to it. But you might have to go for a medical assessment (I'm not sure if that's a compulsory part of the assessment or not), and the doctor will ask how it affects you and they basically decide on the doctors assessment.

It's also possible to appeal the decision if they deem you ineligible, and that would extend the length of the application, but if you did get it sorted you would be eligible for back payments.

Have you gone to see your CWO about supplementary welfare while you're waiting on the outcome? I'm not sure if you'd get much based on your age and living situation, but it might help.

Chris Hansen

nothing wrote: »

If it affects your ability to work, and will continue to affect it for a considerable amount of time (not sure what they judge to be considerable!), then you'll more than likely be entitled to it. But you might have to go for a medical assessment (I'm not sure if that's a compulsory part of the assessment or not), and the doctor will ask how it affects you and they basically decide on the doctors assessment.

It's also possible to appeal the decision if they deem you ineligible, and that would extend the length of the application, but if you did get it sorted you would be eligible for back payments.

Have you gone to see your CWO about supplementary welfare while you're waiting on the outcome? I'm not sure if you'd get much based on your age and living situation, but it might help.

Nope the only person i talked to was a phone operator at the DA section of the social welfare's 1890 number, i might ring them in the morning and see what the story is with the application, anyone have any info on waiting times?

maryk123

DA can take months before a decision is made in the mean time go to your cwo and apply for supplementary welfare allowance while you are pending DA. Bring your parents pay slips or if they are on allowances know what they are. Also whatever mortgage/rent they are paying as well. You have nothing to lose.

axer

Last time I checked (about 6 months ago) it was taking about 6 months from start to finish to get a DA decision so be prepared to wait although you can apply for supplementary support in the meantime. You may not get supplementary support living at home but you should try anyway and see what they say.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/disability_and_illness/disability_allowance.html

To qualify for Disability Allowance (DA) you must:

• Have an injury, disease or physical or mental disability that has continued or may be expected to continue for at least one year
• As a result of this disability be substantially restricted in undertaking work that would otherwise be suitable for a person of your age, experience and qualifications
• Be aged between 16 and 66. When you reach 66 years of age you will no longer qualify for DA, but you will be assessed for a state pension.
• Satisfy a means test
• Satisfy the Habitual Residence Condition.

If you meet all the criteria above then there is no reason why you should not be entitled to DA. It may come down to your doctor as to whether they say the cancer is going to last at least over 1 year.

she s

Hi ,im after cancers ( two places ), I am citizen eu , I passed two medical exam , one national second EU ( just eu form )I wait on two years on decision almost , three years on medical cert. , after two years stopped illness benefit , two weeks without money ( living on street ??????!!!! : Eek:: Eek:: Eek: ,surely therefore that I am european citizen ) then & now SWA .

useful thin lines:
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
http://www.un.org/disabilities/convention/conventionfull.shtml

then :
WELCOME TO THE WEBSITE FOR THE CENTRE FOR DISABILITY LAW AND POLICY’S SUMMER SCHOOL 2011
http://www.nuigalway.ie/cdlp/summer_school/welcome.html

What is disability and who are persons with disabilities? by United Nations:

„The term persons with disabilities is used to apply to all persons with disabilities including those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various attitudinal and environmental barriers, hinders their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. „

http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?navid=12&pid=25#1

I think that would can parents to try about Carer's Benefit
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/carers/carers_benefit.html

or Carer's Allowance
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/carers/carers_allowance.html
but im not adviser
I have hope that all will be OK

Hal Emmerich

You were working so look into sick certs.

Chris Hansen

Gave them a ring there today, 17 bloody weeks! Thats the waiting time, he did say to go to the CWO but sure as a previous poster mentioned I dont think I'd get anything. So balls to that, il be broke for four months essentially

maryk123

Chris

Go and apply to the CWO - what have you got to lose - someone thinking you wont get anything means nothing. If you dont apply you will never know. Apply and if you are refused appeal and appeal again. Nothing to lose and everything to gain.

she s

I had a friend who was ill with an incurable illness, received the SWA of cwo, (but no rent supplement- did not qualify for rent ), I am sure that you get well so if you live with parents(where they do not want to apply for Carer s- I think that is the greater height is money )
see here :

http://www.welfare.ie/EN/OperationalGuidelines/pages/swa.aspx

„Purpose of the SWA scheme
The main purpose of the scheme is:-
to guarantee a standard basic minimum income;
to provide a residual and support role within the overall income maintenance structure;
to provide immediate and flexible assistance for those in need who are awaiting decision on payment of other State schemes;
to provide people with low incomes with a weekly supplement to meet certain special needs (e.g. rent and mortgage interest payments) or a payment to help with the cost of any exceptional needs they may have;
to help those whose needs are inadequately met under the major schemes
to help those confronted with an emergency situation.”

I'm sure everything will be fine

yabadabado

Go to your GP and get certs to apply for Illness benefit.that claim would be sorted in a few weeks.best of luck.

Chris Hansen

yabadabado wrote: »

Go to your GP and get certs to apply for Illness benefit.that claim would be sorted in a few weeks.best of luck.

Only applies for people with PRSI built up, i dont fall into that category

Chris Hansen

maryk123 wrote: »

Chris

Go and apply to the CWO - what have you got to lose - someone thinking you wont get anything means nothing. If you dont apply you will never know. Apply and if you are refused appeal and appeal again. Nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Where does one find their CWO?

Hal Emmerich

Chris Hansen wrote: »

Where does one find their CWO?

Health centre.

Chris Hansen

Hal Emmerich wrote: »

Health centre.

I cant see me getting anything but i suppose I'll wander in this week