Question about applying for Disability, please help.

ChaosIsOrder

Long story short, Im 22 and was doing a payed course, but stopped due to health issues. My S.W payments(JSA) should have reverted back to the post office from bank, but didnt. Apparently I signed off last September. I didnt.

So I currently have no income and Im living in rented accommodation.

I only found out recently that I should be able to get Disability, thats why I didnt apply before.

I have chronic insomnia, mixed anxiety that at its worst makes me agoraphobic, depression (when I do the tests I always get 'severe' but no doctors will agree on a 'level' just that Iv had it since childhood) and after going to a psyvhiatrist t get tested for adhd he gave me an unofficial diagnosis of bipolar(hypomanic).

I currently dont have a medical card, because trying to get it filled outand sent off was to stressful for me at the time. My doctor is currently seeing me for free on the promise that I will get it sorted asap or pay in installments.

Question: how long does it take to find out if you will get Disability?
Can I get Basic Supplementary Welfare in the mean time?
Does getting an official diagnosis of bipolar improve my case and if I get Disability then get diagnosed after, does that change anything?

I am in a serious self destruction mode at the moment and my parents (who I dont live with) are threatening to take me home(different county, away from support network Iv built) and make me get a job. Im not able to work. The idea alone makes my anxiety sky rocket.

Sorry its so long! Any help is appreciated
^-^

livemusic4life

Technically you did sign off as you started a paid course. You need to get a letter from your school or college to state when you left. You should reapply for JSA - hopefully if its straight after a course, you should be able to go straight back on to JSA, and then go straight to your community welfare officer and fill out the Supplementary welfare form. If anxiety is preventing you from getting to do this in a social welfare office, alot of the forms are available on line here www.welfare.ie Then you start your disability application. Because of the difference in payment between JSA and Disability allowance, i would expect a tough time getting disability. You will need a lot of medical documentation and specialists report. Its important when you're getting your gp to fill out the form to make sure that he says this condition will last longer than 12 months. Thats important. Just be aware that applying for disability is probably one of the most stressful things you will ever do. Good luck

neemish

It can take time to get disability but in the meantime you are entitle to SWA (Supplementary Allowance) Get yourself to see the COmmunity Welfare Officer this week. Take some one with you if that helps.

For disability, documentation is the key. Keep a note of every letter, prescription, appointment. Are you under the care of a GP or a consultant? If it's your GP, ask for a referral to a consultant ASAP. There is no charge to see a consultant publicly, In addition to the support they can provide, the team social worker will be able to help you with getting assessed for disability. Yes, an official diagnosis helps. But what really matters is the level of impairment (their words, not mine).

Honestly, I was DA for several years and it was the best thing that could have happened. It gave me space to sort my life out. The initial form filling, interviews, questions etc can seem intrusive but give them the information they need to help you. And ask for help, it's allowed!