Moving to Invalidity

flahers

I have been on Illness benefit for quite some time and after my recent medical I received Invalidity forms in the post. Do I have to move to Invalidity as the payment is only slightly higher and what are the advantages. Also, does my doctor have to fill in more forms. Can I stay on Illness benefit if I find this too much trouble at present due to severe anxiety

mp22

Apply for the invalidity pension,no certs and less paper work and hassle all round.

mrsbyrne

Sorry your finding it stressfull.
Im afraid your Illness Benefit can only last for two years, then you will have to apply for Invalidity anyway so best to get it over with now.
The GP doesnt have to complete the form but it would be hugely beneficial to your claim if he wrote a letter setting out your condition and how it would prevent you from being available for work.

flahers

Sorry but I don't understand the part of only being allowed to say on Illness benefit for two years. I am on it for a long number of years, with regular medical reviews about every two years.

mp22

flahers wrote: »

Sorry but I don't understand the part of only being allowed to say on Illness benefit for two years. I am on it for a long number of years, with regular medical reviews about every two years.

How long is Illness Benefit paid?

If you have 260 weeks PRSI paid since you first started work you can claim Illness Benefit for a maximum of 2 years (624 payment days).
If you have between 104 and 259 weeks PRSI contributions paid, you can claim Illness Benefit for up to 52 weeks (312 payment days).
When you finish your Illness Benefit claim you can requalify for Illness Benefit by paying an extra 13 PRSI contributions. (You can requalify with fewer than 13 contributions if your claim expired after 312 days and your additional contributions bring your total PRSI contributions paid up to 260. So, for example, if you had 250 contributions, when your IB expires you could work and pay 10 contributions to requalify for IB.)
Before January 2009 people with 260 weeks PRSI paid since they first began work, were entitled to Illness Benefit for as long as they were unfit for work and under 66.


from here http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/disability_and_illness/disability_benefit.html


I am guessing that if you were on illness benefit since 2009 or before, you could stay on it for as long as required.

mrsbyrne

Yes i do come across folks who are on it for longer , but not many.
Still thinkk you should apply for IP. possibility of fre tavel and HBP aswell, depending on who your living with.

RubyGirl

Did you ask for the forms or were they just sent out, if just sent out then I would fill them in and return them. It will save you having to send in certs, and going for medical's. Have medical myself Monday wishing it was over already.

danjo-xx

As others have said, fill out the forms for Invalidity Pension its the way to go and your better off on IP than Disability allowance for example.

Get as much support as you can from your GP, even a separate letter explaining the severity of your condition and how it effects the likely-hood of you getting employment.

Kellymolly

Hi All
My experience to-date might be of interest to you and I would appreciate any advice. I applied for invalidity last July after being on IB for two years, I was refused in Oct and appealed to the Deciding Officer. I supplied strong letters of support from my GP and consultants etc but I have got no decision as yet. However, a notification arrived in the post 2 weeks ago awarding me free travel but without any reference to my invalidity claim. This seems to indicate that I have been awarded invalidity pension but with that lack of official confirmation I'm very concern. Has anyone any idea of what's going on?

mp22

Kellymolly wrote: »

Hi All
My experience to-date might be of interest to you and I would appreciate any advice. I applied for invalidity last July after being on IB for two years, I was refused in Oct and appealed to the Deciding Officer. I supplied strong letters of support from my GP and consultants etc but I have got no decision as yet. However, a notification arrived in the post 2 weeks ago awarding me free travel but without any reference to my invalidity claim. This seems to indicate that I have been awarded invalidity pension but with that lack of official confirmation I'm very concern. Has anyone any idea of what's going on?

Free travel pass awarded generally means that your invalidity pension has been awarded.

fkd

HI ALL

I was just wondering what type of illness/disability do you need to have to qualify for I/p?I heard its very hard to qualify,I have failed back surgery syndrome and after numerous failed back operations I had a spinal cord stimulator implanted to ease the nerve pain in my legs,the pain specialist said he cant do much with my back pain,my doctor said she would be 100% supportive of me applying for it,but even she said I mite be refused.

WildRosie

I don't think it's so much the condition you have as the impact it has on your ability to work. I was on it for a mental health condition (on BTEA now) and was awarded it about two months after applying, no messing around with appeals or supporting info, just the GP form, but most stories I've heard of aren't as straight forward as that.

Best thing to do is apply and include supporting info from your doctor. If you search this forum you will find stories about other peoples' experiences.

Annasopra

fkd wrote: »

HI ALL

I was just wondering what type of illness/disability do you need to have to qualify for I/p?I heard its very hard to qualify,I have failed back surgery syndrome and after numerous failed back operations I had a spinal cord stimulator implanted to ease the nerve pain in my legs,the pain specialist said he cant do much with my back pain,my doctor said she would be 100% supportive of me applying for it,but even she said I mite be refused.

It has to effect your ability to work permanently

fkd

I have sent all that is possible for me to send in,just have to wait now,i cant do much to be honest,i can stand for a while,i can sit for a while,cant lift anything,its just annoying,its not like I want to be applying for it,i am only in my mid 30s,i would have no problem getting work throu family members if I was able for it,i am after paying 35k for the stimulator and its was my last option