Illness Benefit

Pickpocket

Hi. I'm going to have to claim either Illness Benefit or Disability Allowance for a couple of months.

From what I can gather the relevant tax year for assessing Illness Benefit eligibility is 2014. However in 2014 I was on Back to Education Allowance until June, then Jobseeker's Allowance right through until July 2015.

So is Illness Benefit a non-runner?

Pickpocket

On a side note, I'm not fully sure that I would qualify for Disability Allowance. I'm unwell, but I'm not sure it's sufficiently serious for a doctor to sign-off on, in terms of the requirement that the disability is expected to last up to a year.

I'm out of work right now, and in the (very) short-term I'm 'not fit for work', but I'll be looking for work straight-away and please god it won't take too long. I just know from past experience that it could take a couple of months to even land an interview in my sector.

With that in mind, would I be better claiming Jobseeker's because I will actually be looking for work, and by the time an opportunity presents itself I hope to be 'fit to work'. I know there's a little white lie involved, but if it's the option that most suits my circumstances, and if it saves me (as a medical card holder) dragging my doctor and his staff into it, then would it be for the best?

Or should I just fully explain my circumstances and let them advise me on what the best option is?

I dread the thoughts of being back on welfare so my intention is to get onto it as quickly as possible, and then get back off even faster.

Gatling

First I'd talk to your gp first and see if he can help ,
He will have to sign off on the actual application for DA then comes the hard bit where it can literally take over 12 months to get a payment,
DA is one of the most difficult benefits to get ,
I'd start with your gp and go from there

Pickpocket

Gatling wrote: »

First I'd talk to your gp first and see if he can help ,
He will have to sign off on the actual application for DA then comes the hard bit where it can literally take over 12 months to get a payment,
DA is one of the most difficult benefits to get ,
I'd start with your gp and go from there

Great, thanks.

Just curious, what does an unemployed person do while their waiting on their DA claim to be processed?

Gatling

Pickpocket wrote: »

Great, thanks.

Just curious, what does an unemployed person do while their waiting on their DA claim to be processed?

You can go on supplementry welfare payments made through your local cwo until a decision in given ,
Can't claim jobseekers if your not actively seeking work or while unfit to work

myappeal

Hi Pickpocket,

Just remember that Supplementary Welfare Allowance, as with Disability Allowance, is a means tested payment - unlike Illness Benefit.

This is relevant if you have a spouse/partner in employment, have savings or investments or property other than your own home.

Also remember, the means test - assessment of capital for SWA and DA are different. DA allows for €50,000 in savings before your payment is affected, but SWA only allows for €5,000 before your SWA payment is affected.

Ideally Illness Benefit is a better payment where there is an income from a spouse or partner, or where you have means/capital/property other than your own home.

If you have a spouse or partner with their own SW payment, this could also affect the amount you receive from SW on DA or SWA.

Regards,