Disability allowance form

JoannaZ81

Hi guys!
A quick question about disability.....
My partner had an accident at work last year and is on illness benefit at the moment. He's gonna apply for disability as he won't be able to do what he used to. Got a form filled out by a doctor, she ticked a box stating that he is able to work tho. Would that by any chance not be a difficulty for him to qualify for it???
If anyone can shed any light.....it'd be greatly appreciated.

njs030

Well yes I would think so. If you look on citizens advice disability allowance page the rules are-1.Have an injury, disease or physical or mental disability that has continued or may be expected to continue for at least one year
2.As a result of this disability be substantially restricted in undertaking work that would otherwise be suitable for a person of your age, experience and qualifications
3.Be aged between 16 and 66. When you reach 66 years of age you no longer qualify for DA, but you are assessed for a State pension.
4.Satisfy a means test
5.Satisfy the Habitual Residence Condition.

As you can see the second rule addresses your question, if she's said he's available and able to work they will see it as meaning it's unlikely he's substantially restricted.

Maybe your boyfriend should go back and ask why the doctor wrote that if it isn't the case.

JoannaZ81

Thanks for that.
Well ,the way I see it is that he is restricted when it comes to what he's able to do for living now. He was a truck and machine driver. As a result of his accident he's lost his eye and apparently there's a new law in now that doesn't allow people with one eye having any group 2 driving categories ?
So, not sure why she filled the form that way. Maybe just because she was a young consultant in training as we never seen her before?do you reckon we should get the form filled out again by an experienced doctor?

njs030

JoannaZ81 wrote: »

Thanks for that.
Well ,the way I see it is that he is restricted when it comes to what he's able to do for living now. He was a truck and machine driver. As a result of his accident he's lost his eye and apparently there's a new law in now that doesn't allow people with one eye having any group 2 driving categories ?
So, not sure why she filled the form that way. Maybe just because she was a young consultant in training as we never seen her before?do you reckon we should get the form filled out again by an experienced doctor?

Hmmmm.....Disability allowance is really for people who can't work at all whereas your boyfriend probably is able to work just not in the field he previously did- looking at it like that you can see why the doctor wrote he is able to work.

If he wants to ask his gp to fill in a fresh form it might go someway towards helping- however disability allowance is very hard to get approved for and they turn people down as often as they approve them.

TherapyBoy

I believe while on disability allowance you can work part-time (up to 19 hours a week & €120) if the work can be deemed to be therapeutic to the recipient either mentally or physically, without affecting your payments. Earning above €120 will cut into your allowance (for example if you are earning €150 per week for your part-time work your DA payments are reduced by €30). If his disability allowance is approved it would be worth asking the Department of Social Welfare about this. He won't be allowed to go back to driving/operating machinery like he used to but many people find it very helpful to be able to work at something.

I realise I'm sort of answering a question that wasn't asked but it's worth asking the DSW about for anyone on disability allowance who wishes to work in a limited capacity.

JoannaZ81

Thanks guys. I appreciate your time, advice and all opinions. We'll keep doing our reaserch and hopefully find something that will help us move on with life.
Cheers everyone