Carer's Allowance Refusal

LegacyUser

I've just been notified that the Carer's Allowance I applied for 4 months ago has been refused on medical grounds.

My son suffers from severe bipolar disorder. He has had so many appointments in the last 6 months - psychiatrists, GPs, counsellors, school meetings etc. He's in Leaving Cert and barely hanging in there. Barely. He's on very strong medication, is regularly suicidal, is unfocussed and eratic. To say that I'm tired and finding it stressful is really an understatement.

My husband (his Dad) died 3 years ago leaving me with 3 kids under 18. I never in my life signed on or looked for social welfare until now. I do get a widow's contributory pension as I had 22 years of PRSI paid before my husband died. I was self employed until 2 years ago. Then my income stopped. Well, correction, two incomes stopped - mine and my deceased husband's. Then last summer I started getting freelance work again and a trickle of income was coming in. Then my son had his breakdown, was hospitalised and I've essentially been there for him since. He's severely ill.

I rang his psychiatrist and she's shocked too and said "under no circumstances can you go to work full time and leave him without a carer". So what do I do then? Go to work and forget that he needs me and forget his appointments and meds and care? But at least I'll have money to feed the 3 kids. Or not go to work, continue to accumulate more debt, stay hungry and cold and struggle on on 280 euro a week widow's pension for 4 of us?

I am so angry. I'm appealing it but as the psychiatrist said earlier, her original report was so detailed and stressed his round-the-clock needs and the severity of his mental illness, anything she says now will just be repeating that.

Is there anything I can do, other than more medical reports repeating the same things?

mp22

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=1571 have a look here.
An appeal is about all you can do.

wmpdd3

I have no experience of this but it seems to be the case that a certain number are just sent to appeal.

Re send everything.

Add every thing that has happened in the last 4 months too.

Try getting someone else to look over the application to make sure you have answered question. You know your situation, but you have to explain it to them as if they were form Mars, so you might be leaving out things that you would take for granted that they would know.

Its an awful situation, I was advised to apply for this by my son's assessment of needs person but I am leaving it off for as long as possible as we are a world away from your situation, thankfully.

Miaireland

Unfortunetly, the only thing you can do at present is appeal at present.

ABajaninCork

I'd make an appointment to see the local TD and see if they can apply some pressure.

LegacyUser

Thank you so much for the responses. Much appreciated. Yes, I've made an appointment with my GP so he and the psychiatrist will both be providing new reports and I'll be doing up a detailed list of his needs (and my role as a carer for him). If this review is unsuccessful I'll go to a TD.

Thanks again.

haveringchick

Sit down tonight and write to the Deciding Officer in Longford that refused your application.
Tell him/her you would like him or her to review their desicion.
Then tell them in your own words exactly(blow for blow) what you do for your son on any given day. Tell them about all his hospital appointments. Tell them how sick he is and how much attention he needs and that you are giving him the attention. Give examples ie "he hasn't got the strength to wash himself or brush.his hair so I wash him"
What you and the doctor gave Longford was a diagnosis. What they needed was a description of his caring needs and a summary of the care being given by you.

ttsnar

What age is your son. If he is over 16 is he getting disability allowance? Apply
For this also as it will help any review. Ask for a review rather than an appeal first, it may be quicker. As another poster said send a personal letter from yourselves stating what you do every day to care for your son. Good luck.

LegacyUser

Many thanks. I have a very detailed letter now from my GP listing all his ailments, hospitalisations, medications and his needs. I'm awaiting the psychiatrist's letter and I've done up a detailed letter myself listing the day to day care he needs. As soon as I have the psychiatrist's letter I'll be sending it off for review.

I appreciate the feedback. It's very helpful.

haveringchick

StressedMother wrote: »

Many thanks. I have a very detailed letter now from my GP listing all his ailments, hospitalisations, medications and his needs. I'm awaiting the psychiatrist's letter and I've done up a detailed letter myself listing the day to day care he needs. As soon as I have the psychiatrist's letter I'll be sending it off for review.

I appreciate the feedback. It's very helpful.

Photocopy all those documents just in case uou need them again. Good luck.