Should I risk applying for disabilty allowance?

DeeAvery

I'm going to leave my job because of my health and other reasons In the next couple of weeks. It's not completely off the wall for me to apply for Disability Allownace. On paper I can tick all the boxes. I'll probably get refused as according to the Internet no one seems to get it but don't ask, don't get right?

My point of this post is what do people think I should do? What I'm afraid of is they'll take away jobseekers if I apply for DA.

As people keep saying it can take years/months to get DA so this in an ideal situation is what I'd like to happen; I'd like to leave my job, apply for jobseekers, wait out the penalty period for leaving a job voluntarily. Just to get me signed on and back on the system. While then applying also for DA. However I don't think that would even be possible?

Basically my question is If I go on Jobseekers and then apply for DA and it gets refused will I loose my Jobseekers as DA technically means I'm not capable to work?

Also when should I apply for DA? As soon as I leave my job or wait until I start getting jobseeker payments? Should I try and get DA first and as there is a 9 week penalty for JA anyway and then try JA if my DA isn't approved?

Thanks

wokingvoter

If your too sick to work then you need to apply for Illness Benefit.
You can't get Jobseekers payment if your not job seeking.
Have you been working for some time?

Gatling

It's not about ticking boxes it's about having a genuine illness or injury that going to last 12 months or more that will prevent you from working

DeeAvery

wokingvoter wrote: »

If your too sick to work then you need to apply for Illness Benefit.
You can't get Jobseekers payment if your not job seeking.
Have you been working for some time?

As far as I believe you have to remain employed to receive Illness Benefit and I have only been working for 2 years, some on which was a Jobbridge. So that's not an option.

DeeAvery

Gatling wrote: »

It's not about ticking boxes it's about having a genuine illness or injury that going to last 12 months or more that will prevent you from working

I think you have miss understood what I meant by that. On paper I qualify for DA. Put that doesn't mean I'll get it. Like we all hear those horror stories of people being rejected all the time. I was on JA for two years after school but never applied for DA before.

I plan to take the time away from work to work on my conditions and attend services including a weekly outpatient program my employer wouldn't allow me take time for as I already had an agreement to not work 3 days once a month. Which is fair enough I'm not giving out they didn't have to make any accommodations for me just now I'll have time to to the outpatient program. Or make as many appointments I like!

There is also a lot of schemes, trainings and supports out there but you need to be in receipt of a social welfare payment to qualify to take part in them. I have no qualifications as I was too sick to finish college so this time would be great to use to upskill.

When I was on JA I was sent to a guidance counsellor every two weeks. That was great and she gave me lots of support. With her I did ecdl, interview training and she helped me get a jobbridge. Full time work right now is too much so I'm interested in getting part time work also down the line and I've been trying for about six months but to no avail. I'm considering going back into full time education in September 2017 but I'd have to get BTEA as I'll have no form of income if I go into full time education without it. I don't know if I'll even be able to go to college or work but at least I'll have the option if I'm on social welfare.

mp22

Start by visiting your GP.


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