Disability Allowance 2014

Pretty Pink

Hi Guys,

I have been on a CWO Payment for the last year (I only found out recently that the Community Welfare Officer was paying me from her clinic account and I wasn't on a specific payment, If your confused then there is two of us!) I have applied for Disability due to being sick but my illness has gotten progressively worse and she (the CWO) advised that I should apply for the Disability allowance or the invalidity pension. After much discussion with GP and CWO it was decided that Disability Allowance would be better as I am young(ish).

I have applied and I received a text message saying they received my form but nothing else yet, it has been 5 months. I have searched and I see loads of people saying they are appealing and it can take up to a year but very little on the first application. I was wondering if anyone could advise me on what the process is in lay mans terms please! eg: form sent, text message received, home visit?,medical assessment?

Also, I was made homeless and family have all shunned me (not an overreaction! they actually stopped all contact!) So my friend took me in I had to move up the country to live and now I am still awkwardly living in her house avoiding the conversation of when i will be leaving. Now that the application has gone through I was advised that she may be means tested and she is not too happy about that especially when I had to get her wages info. She has asked if I am means tested and they decrease my payment will I be able to move out.... I have asked about housing and have my name on the housing list but I am a single female with no dependents. I am not too sure what to do next.

My illness, well I have been advised I have a personality disorder and Bi polar, a suicide attempt in January. Not my proudest moment, I know people look upon mental illnesses with little or no pity but I will ask that I am tender and confused at the moment so please try not to go too hard on me, if you feel the need to give your opinion on people with mental illnesses and such.

olliesgirl55

Pretty Pink wrote: »

Hi Guys,

I have been on a CWO Payment for the last year (I only found out recently that the Community Welfare Officer was paying me from her clinic account and I wasn't on a specific payment, If your confused then there is two of us!) I have applied for Disability due to being sick but my illness has gotten progressively worse and she (the CWO) advised that I should apply for the Disability allowance or the invalidity pension. After much discussion with GP and CWO it was decided that Disability Allowance would be better as I am young(ish).

I have applied and I received a text message saying they received my form but nothing else yet, it has been 5 months. I have searched and I see loads of people saying they are appealing and it can take up to a year but very little on the first application. I was wondering if anyone could advise me on what the process is in lay mans terms please! eg: form sent, text message received, home visit?,medical assessment?

Also, I was made homeless and family have all shunned me (not an overreaction! they actually stopped all contact!) So my friend took me in I had to move up the country to live and now I am still awkwardly living in her house avoiding the conversation of when i will be leaving. Now that the application has gone through I was advised that she may be means tested and she is not too happy about that especially when I had to get her wages info. She has asked if I am means tested and they decrease my payment will I be able to move out.... I have asked about housing and have my name on the housing list but I am a single female with no dependents. I am not too sure what to do next.

My illness, well I have been advised I have a personality disorder and Bi polar, a suicide attempt in January. Not my proudest moment, I know people look upon mental illnesses with little or no pity but I will ask that I am tender and confused at the moment so please try not to go too hard on me, if you feel the need to give your opinion on people with mental illnesses and such.

I am sorry to hear of your predicament. Mental illness can be debilitating and can reduce ones quality of life.

As for your housing situation get yourself on the housing list. You will then be entitled to rent allowance. If you need help Threshold can assist you in looking for a suitable place etc.

On your disability allowance application I would say give Longford a call on Tuesday to get an update. I got a reply in 7 weeks and they refused me so I had to appeal. The fact that you haven't heard back in 5 months can be a positive sign. Also when asked about your living situation tell them the truth you are currently homeless and are temporarily living with your friend until you can find a place. Citizens advice can tell you more about this. I hope this helps:)

mrsbyrne

Pretty Pink mental illness is the same as having cancer or heart disease you are sick and you need to be cared for and looked after.
Your friend is not being means tested. If you are on the housing list you can apply for Rent Supplement. Go and see the CWO next week and ask her/him about rent limits in your area. You can get your own place.
If your GP or ideally the psychiatrist can give you a detailed report into your condition you can send it up to Longford to support your application but don't forget to put your PPSN on it.

Up in Longford they only know what you tell them. Its unlikely there will be a home visit or medical assessment so you have to give them all the evidence you can get.
Good luck and get well soon.

Grey_Goose

Hello Pretty Pink and Happy Easter.
I am sorry you are not feeling well and hope your quality of life going forward will improve for you. Please take comfort that you have a friend giving you temporary acccommodation until you get yourself sorted out with a more permanent address.

When you call Social Welfare in Lonford have your PPS number for them and they will be able to to tell you what stage your application is at.

The whole process can be very confusing. The good thing is that you have contact with Community Welfare Officer for advice, and as olliesgirl55 has said Citizens Advice can tell you more about this. The CWO will be able to help you find them in your local area. I always find them very helpful on anything to do with your rights as a citizen, they explain the whole thing to you in lay mans terms and there service is confidential.

Don't foreget your PPS number for SW in Longford, and that you have a temporary address with a friend until you find something more permanent. The CWO is helping you with this situation. If you can manage it call SW in Longford on Tuesday next. In fact I would think if you manage to visit Citizens Advice and explain your situation to them they might call Longford for you while you are there.

Wishing you the best of luck with your Application, and hope your predicament and health will improve for you. Take care.

sparkling sea

If you are homeless and have been approved for local authority housing then you could contact one of the housing assocciations in your area. Housing associations such as Respond, Cluid, etc do allocate accommodation to specific groups and people with mental health illness are given priority in some housing associations, however you must have been approved for local authority housing first.

You can get a list of housing associations in you area from CIC and you can contact these associations yourself, they will advise you of available accommodation in your area

CIC will happily ring the DA section within DSP for you however it can take some time for DA applications to be approved so dont feel to disheartened. Your CWO is probably paying you a supplementary welfare payment of €186 while your DA application is being processed, this amount will be deducted from your back pay once your DA has been approved.
Dont forget to apply for any secondary benefits you may be entitled to once your DA has been approved. You may be entitled to Household benefits package, fuel allowance, free travel, living alone increase, etc.

Pretty Pink

I didn't think I would get this much of a response! Thank you all so much for firstly putting my mind at ease and secondly for being to helpful and positive! I will definitely contact CI and have a chat with them and then hopefully Longford! Ringing Longford always seemed like a daunting task and I can be fearful of negativity or easily intimidated but after reading your comments perhaps it mightn't be as scary as I think!

I love the comfort of having someone with me (people can under estimate the power of a cup of tea and a chat) but also I am aware that you can out stay your welcome. I will update this just in case others come across this and are in the same situation.

Thank you all! Have a lovely Easter.

olliesgirl55

Pretty Pink wrote: »

I didn't think I would get this much of a response! Thank you all so much for firstly putting my mind at ease and secondly for being to helpful and positive! I will definitely contact CI and have a chat with them and then hopefully Longford! Ringing Longford always seemed like a daunting task and I can be fearful of negativity or easily intimidated but after reading your comments perhaps it mightn't be as scary as I think!

I love the comfort of having someone with me (people can under estimate the power of a cup of tea and a chat) but also I am aware that you can out stay your welcome. I will update this just in case others come across this and are in the same situation.

Thank you all! Have a lovely Easter.

I called Longford a couple of weeks ago and found them to be very pleasant and helpful. I was pleasantly surprised:)

cena

I have a friend that applied around two years or so have never heard back from them.
They thought they would have heard from them a long time ago. The welfare doctor had told them they where entitled to it and should have been told so day one of what happened to them

Grey_Goose

cena wrote: »

I have a friend that applied around two years or so have never heard back from them.
They thought they would have heard from them a long time ago. The welfare doctor had told them they where entitled to it and should have been told so day one of what happened to them

Hello Cena
I have a feeling there is such a backlog with applications in Longford, your friend should call SW in Longford give her pps number to get an update as to what stage her application is at, 2/years is too long not to have an acknowledgement I would think.

Keep phoning Longford. You can be on hold for a long time but they are generally very helpful and will be able to give an update. They have sometimes lost things on me, but the staff on the phone have usually sorted it out, and even ring back to let you know.

V.W.L 11

Pretty Pink wrote: »

Hi Guys,

I have been on a CWO Payment for the last year (I only found out recently that the Community Welfare Officer was paying me from her clinic account and I wasn't on a specific payment, If your confused then there is two of us!) I have applied for Disability due to being sick but my illness has gotten progressively worse and she (the CWO) advised that I should apply for the Disability allowance or the invalidity pension. After much discussion with GP and CWO it was decided that Disability Allowance would be better as I am young(ish).

I have applied and I received a text message saying they received my form but nothing else yet, it has been 5 months. I have searched and I see loads of people saying they are appealing and it can take up to a year but very little on the first application. I was wondering if anyone could advise me on what the process is in lay mans terms please! eg: form sent, text message received, home visit?,medical assessment?

Also, I was made homeless and family have all shunned me (not an overreaction! they actually stopped all contact!) So my friend took me in I had to move up the country to live and now I am still awkwardly living in her house avoiding the conversation of when i will be leaving. Now that the application has gone through I was advised that she may be means tested and she is not too happy about that especially when I had to get her wages info. She has asked if I am means tested and they decrease my payment will I be able to move out.... I have asked about housing and have my name on the housing list but I am a single female with no dependents. I am not too sure what to do next.

My illness, well I have been advised I have a personality disorder and Bi polar, a suicide attempt in January. Not my proudest moment, I know people look upon mental illnesses with little or no pity but I will ask that I am tender and confused at the moment so please try not to go too hard on me, if you feel the need to give your opinion on people with mental illnesses and such.

is a personality disorder deemed as a disability???I have one!never knew it was deemed to be a medical issue in one sense tbh

orchidsrpretty

V.W.L 11 wrote: »

is a personality disorder deemed as a disability???I have one!never knew it was deemed to be a medical issue in one sense tbh

It is if you are unable to carry out normal daily activities such as holding down a job

Pretty Pink

Hi guys,

Spoke to Longford and they said to give it a few weeks as it has been looked at by a deciding officer yet, the guy was really nice and took the time to answer my some what silly questions but he knew it was just to put my mind at ease. So hopefully I will hear something in a few months.


Cena, I cant believe your friend is waiting 2 years! your poor friend, try to encourage them to call Longford and even get a update on their claim. There might be something very small that is delaying it or something lost in the post.

V.W.L 11 wrote: »

is a personality disorder deemed as a disability???I have one!never knew it was deemed to be a medical issue in one sense tbh

Yes a PD is classed as a disability depending on the degree of it, some people are able to maintain a normal lifestyle and hold down a job. I, too, was able to maintain a some what normal lifestyle and held down a professional job for several years then slowly things started to change I wasn't 100% sure what was happening to me everything seemed normal in a sense but not lol cant explain it maybe the people around me weren't acting the same towards me. Anyway at work GP phones my mobile asked me to pop over to her office at my break, I did and she asked me if I would voluntarily attend a hospital. Since then I battle with it, some people get happy, sad etc. I get hallucinations and can stay awake for days then sleep for days as well as other stuff so your right to ask and its not an unusual question. The other side is would an employer take on a person with a mental illness that could affect the general running of their business or affect other members of staff? They wont,I tried even had a job but then me ringing explaining that I thought my house was on fire during the night and sat in my front garden didn't really sit with HR as a valid reason why I couldn't attend work that day.

Grey_Goose

Thanks for the update Pretty Pink
Glad you rang Longford and that you got an update with your application. It is disappointing that no one there has got around to looking at it yet. There must be a big backlog of applications. If you hear nothing from them in another 6 to 8 weeks give another call just to keep it in the frame. Best of luck.

Pretty Pink

Thank you Grey Goose, I am not too worried I understand that they are very busy and I know that there are a lot of people out there in more need than me. Thanks for all your help and support.

compo1

I sent in my application January 24th. Phoned last week for an update. Was told it was with the deciding officer and I'd have a response within two weeks. Seems they're clearing the backlog, and to be fair, the lady I spoke to on the phone was very pleasant and helpful. Almost two months ago, I was asked to provide more details of my finances, so hopefully that's a good sign.
Pretty Pink, I'd say you should have an answer soon enough.

mrsbyrne

compo1 wrote: »

I sent in my application January 24th. Phoned last week for an update. Was told it was with the deciding officer and I'd have a response within two weeks. Seems they're clearing the backlog, and to be fair, the lady I spoke to on the phone was very pleasant and helpful. Almost two months ago, I was asked to provide more details of my finances, so hopefully that's a good sign.
Pretty Pink, I'd say you should have an answer soon enough.

Even now, if you have any up to date medical evidence, make a copy, put your PPSN and DOB on it and send it in.

Pretty Pink

Got my letter saying I was declined but I do have 21 days to submit more evidence. I am awaiting my Psychiatrist to send me an appointment so I can get a letter but that could be over the 21 days. I wrote a letter back straight away to Longford explaining I would be appealing and I am awaiting the letters and I will be forwarding on asap.

Any news yet, Compo1?

Grey_Goose

Pretty Pink
I am sorry that you were declined. From what I can gather this is a common occurrence on the first application, so don't be deterred. I should think it would be helpful to you if with your appeal that you supply new medical evidence to back it up. (Doctor, Consultant, Psychiatrist outlining case history). I would think they gave a reason for declining the application which I would bring to the attention of the medic. Best of luck with the appeal and hope they find in your favour.

In the event that this appeal is declined (which I hope not) you will have another 21/days to appeal to the Dublin Office. So after sending in your appeal – gather as much evidence that you can so that there is more you can present in the event you might have to appeal to Dublin later on.

Pretty Pink

I have gotten a letter from my GP (who is a brilliant GP! if you are based in South Tipperary PM if you would like to know his name) After a brainstorming session between us he wrote a letter outlining why he felt I should be entitled to it. He explained how he would approach it if he was in my situation. I am waiting for a letter from my consultant, it has gone over the 21 days but I did write a letter to Longford explaining I will be appealing and I am currently waiting for the evidence from my Consultant.

So here's hoping they will allow time for him to write it and for my appeal to go through.

Thank you for your support Grey goose

cena

The friend got there letter this morning. I are thinking of not going cause they feel it would be a waste cause of it been a assessment.
They feel they social should be able to look at the record of the last assessment they had while on illnesses benefit before been taken off it.

Nothing has changed since the last assessment on there injury. They where told they would be stuck with the injury they have for the rest of there life

mrsbyrne

cena wrote: »

The friend got there letter this morning. I are thinking of not going cause they feel it would be a waste cause of it been a assessment.
They feel they social should be able to look at the record of the last assessment they had while on illnesses benefit before been taken off it.

Nothing has changed since the last assessment on there injury. They where told they would be stuck with the injury they have for the rest of there life

Sorry cena, are you looking for advice or information for your friend?

cena

mrsbyrne wrote: »

Sorry cena, are you looking for advice or information for your friend?

A bit of both

mrsbyrne

cena wrote: »

A bit of both

Did your friend apply for Disability and now theyve been called for a medical assessment?

cena

mrsbyrne wrote: »

Did your friend apply for Disability and now theyve been called for a medical assessment?

Ya they did and ya again.
Their own gp has told them that there isn't anything that can be done to fix it(injury)

mrsbyrne

cena wrote: »

Ya they did and ya again.
Their own gp has told them that there isn't anything that can be done to fix it(injury)

If they have been asked to go to a medical assessment and they don't go then their application will be cancelled so they should go and bring letter from GPOK?k

cena

I have said this. They are talking of ringing and telling them they don't want to go ahead with the claim

Gatling

Is it a serious injury that will prevent your friend from working in the future.

cena

Gatling wrote: »

Is it a serious injury that will prevent your friend from working in the future.

I'm not sure. It was nerve and muscle damage

mrsbyrne

cena wrote: »

I have said this. They are talking of ringing and telling them they don't want to go ahead with the claim

You can tell your friend that his Illness Benefit only lasts 2 years tops. If he/she doesnt get on Disablity Allowance/Invalidity Pension before then, they will be looking at going back on Job seekers.

cena

They have this injury I would say 5 yrs. How long does the disability thing last?

danjo-xx

Disability Allowance lasts for as long as you remain eligible for it, and subject to reviews

olliesgirl55

So today I get a letter from the Appeals office stating that "I meet the qualifying conditions" which according to my Social Worker means I got it. I now await the letter from Longford and details of when the payment starts etc. I have no idea how long that will take so I will update when that happens. So far Appeal took 3 months including Oral Hearing. I am very happy right now:)


Edit: Just called Longford and they are currently processing first payments for people who won their appeals in March so it could take 3 months or longer for them to process my payment. That sucks. I didn't think it would take that long.

Pretty Pink

I just submitted my appeal last Thursday so fingers crossed. I wrote four pages of why I feel I can't work and why my illness is debilitating.

Well done Ollie girl! I am delighted for you! That's great news!

olliesgirl55

Pretty Pink wrote: »

I just submitted my appeal last Thursday so fingers crossed. I wrote four pages of why I feel I can't work and why my illness is debilitating.

Well done Ollie girl! I am delighted for you! That's great news!

Thanks, I wrote about 3 pages kinda rambled a bit as I was so stressed out at the time. I was however under the impression that once the appeal has been won the claim would be processed quickly. Apparently I was wrong. I have been going through this hell since early January and have another 3 months at least before my payment comes through. So the whole process will be 8 or 9 months. Not as long as others but still a lot of stress for somebody with mental health issues and now some new physical issues. Happy days and just stick with it Pretty. The road is tough but eventually has an end.

Take care:)

cena

So my friend went to to the doctor. Got there letter this morning saying they well be getting 43.80 a week.

That sounds very low but I could be wrong

Pretty Pink

cena wrote: »

So my friend went to to the doctor. Got there letter this morning saying they well be getting 43.80 a week.

That sounds very low but I could be wrong

Wow thats a very low amount, can they claim any other allowance? Did they (the sw) give them a reason as to why it was so low?

cena

Pretty Pink wrote: »

Wow thats a very low amount, can they claim any other allowance? Did they (the sw) give them a reason as to why it was so low?

I think they said on the letter about 20% loss fuction that is all that was on the letter. I don't know how that came about. I know when they where first told about the disability benefit that they where entitled to at least 20,000 a year. I could be wrong. They are on jsa at the moment

mystic

@Cena

The 20% loss makes me think that this is the Disablement Benefit decision. Have a look here http://www.welfare.ie/en/pages/disable.aspx

cena

mystic wrote: »

@Cena

The 20% loss makes me think that this is the Disablement Benefit decision. Have a look here http://www.welfare.ie/en/pages/disable.aspx

So I wasn't right in thinking it was low from what I read their.
They are thinking of appealing but I'm not sure it is a good idea in case they decide to take it away from them.

Maybe they have applied for the wrong thing. I really don't know

mystic

cena wrote: »

So I wasn't right in thinking it was low from what I read their.
They are thinking of appealing but I'm not sure it is a good idea in case they decide to take it away from them.

Maybe they have applied for the wrong thing. I really don't know

I suggest you post the details of what the exact situation is....have they applied for any payments, are they working, etc.?

cena

mystic wrote: »

I suggest you post the details of what the exact situation is....have they applied for any payments, are they working, etc.?

They only got the letter yesterday. They are not working cause of the injury they have.
They where put on JSA.

mystic

cena wrote: »

They only got the letter yesterday. They are not working cause of the injury they have.
They where put on JSA.

They should have applied for Illness Benefit, Disability Allowance or Invalidity Pension if they are not fit for work. Being fit for work is one of the qualifying conditions for JA.

hdowney

I got my text to say they'd received my application for da and were looking at it. I presume the wait from here is long and quiet.

cena

mystic wrote: »

They should have applied for Illness Benefit, Disability Allowance or Invalidity Pension if they are not fit for work. Being fit for work is one of the qualifying conditions for JA.

I think the welfare doctor gave them the all clear to work but where told to apply for either that thing or this ab
I do know they can't drive well with there injury, hold a drill etc
The doctor did tell them to apply for either that that they got the other day or the Disability. They aren't too sure now.
Should they go to the doctor and see what they say or think.

I don't bring the subject of there injury up cause I know it is a sore subject with them and get really depressed which they are on anti depressiants.

olliesgirl55

Pretty Pink wrote: »

I just submitted my appeal last Thursday so fingers crossed. I wrote four pages of why I feel I can't work and why my illness is debilitating.

Well done Ollie girl! I am delighted for you! That's great news!

Hi I just wanted to update the thread. I got the letter yesterday granting me Disability allowance with first payment in two weeks. Big sigh of relief.:) So total process of appeal took almost 6 months. Total period from original application to getting payment was almost 9 months.

I am so glad it's over.

compo1

mrsbyrne wrote: »

Even now, if you have any up to date medical evidence, make a copy, put your PPSN and DOB on it and send it in.

Finally, I got it! Just over a week ago. Several delays, mostly due to their administrative errors, but finally it came through. MY GP and my consultant were always of the opinion that I had a strong case; they were right.

@ Pretty Pink; glad you got your situation cleared up at last.:)

hdowney

Still waiting here. Only correspondence so far is the text confirming receipt of my application and that they are 'processing it'. That was a few months ago (can't remember when exactly, still have text in phone).

Congrats to ye with your approval

olliesgirl55

hdowney wrote: »

Still waiting here. Only correspondence so far is the text confirming receipt of my application and that they are 'processing it'. That was a few months ago (can't remember when exactly, still have text in phone).

Congrats to ye with your approval

Thanks. Hopefully you will be successful also!
When I first applied back in very early Jan I got the refusal in early March so not hearing anything back yet could be a good thing in your case.

Good luck:)

Dave47

is there any email for the crowd? Sent application a while back better pester them for an update. Also was wondering is it worth my while to send extra medical forms to them? Or should I wait until appeal process?

olliesgirl55

Dave47 wrote: »

is there any email for the crowd? Sent application a while back better pester them for an update. Also was wondering is it worth my while to send extra medical forms to them? Or should I wait until appeal process?

Your best bet is to call them. I usually was successful getting through in the afternoon. You could be on hold for a while. Here are the numbers:
Tel:(043) 334 0000
Locall:1890 92 77 70

BTW takes about 7 weeks to hear back after getting that text at least it was so in my case (and guessing the case for all refusals)