illness benefit appeal

sharethelove

I have sent of an appeal to social welfare as I had a medical assessment and I was found capable of work. I had been claiming illness benefit. Can anyone tell me what happens now?could they write to me and say I cant appeal or will I have another medical assessment? Thank you

Sue Ellen

If you are appealing this decision you will have to have another medical assessment. It can take a while, maybe 4-6 months. While you are appealing the decision you can apply for JA/JB.

sharethelove

Thank you, I was concerned they may not go any further with my appeal and refuse another medical assessment, I cant apply for JA as I havent worked in 5 years and JB is means tested, It is so unfair that they just stop payment and dont allow people like me to get any other payment, my partner is on a low wage ,we can get abt 30 euro a week on family supplement which takes 6 months ..I have never felt so low and if I could work I honestly would...rant over, if you have any other advice please let me know..

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Get access to your DSP file including all MRA papers under S.7 of FOI and use them in your appeal. You'll probably be sent for a second MRA, and it's advisable to bring someone in to the exam room with you. One tip is to note the type of questions that they ask around your day to day life, what you can do and cannot do, and particularly relating your employment. Questions should focus on how your illness prevents you from performing your duties of employment. The MRA papers should be able to tell you the medical evidence upon which the medical assessor based his/her opinion. It should also be noted that all doctors have a professional duty to make informed clinical decisions, so check and see whether the MRA section contacted your medical certifier and what medical reports that the medical assessor based his/her decision on. It may also be advisable to check and see the specialism of the medical assessor ie, are they qualified to be making a medical determination on your condition. In other words, if your condition is orthopaedic you don't go to someone who's specialism is in endocrinology.

hawthorne

I hope you have sent your appeal to the appeals office.
You will be probably called for another assessment within 8 weeks.
You can apply for JA- but this will mean a means test. You might not get the full rate- but anything helps.
If you win your appeal, you will get all the missing money ( minus the JA) paid in the end.
You are not required to look for work and will be on JA only for "administrative purposes " only.

sharethelove

I applied for JA , do you know what the means test is? I have no idea how much I will get and off course social welfare cant tell me, thanks so much for all the advice.

mp22

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/irish_social_welfare_system/means_test_for_social_welfare_payments/means_test_for_jobseekers_allowance.html

RubyGirl

OP if you are appealing the decision you can go onto job seekers (without actually seeking) benefit while you wate for the outcome of your decision. The letter you got from them telling you that "you are capeable of work" bring this into office and they will allow you to sign on while you are appealing.