Illness benefit time?

1moo345

I couldn't find a recent thread for this so;

I originally sent in MC1 two weeks ago. Sent in MC2 last week. Due to send in another MC2 this week but have to wait until Monday as have no money to see doctor. How long does it usually take to be approved/paid from first cert? Thanks

1moo345

Bump

hawthorne

Up to 6 weeks.The certs are vital to get your benefits. They have to be sent in regularly.
If you have no money to pay your doctor for the certs, see your community welfare officer and explain the situation. S/he will understand and fix you up. Any money received now will be taken of you future payments when you are finally through with your claim.
The doctor has to issue the SW certs for free to you when your claim is finally accepted. I am not sure about your position before your claim is approved.

teggers5

sorry for dragging up this post again but wondering if you've heard anything back yet?

also does anyone know do they take into consideration if you were getting FIS when calculating payment?

1moo345

Hi, I did hear back but still havent got paid. Sent three weeks worth of docs and got a letter to say I qualify. The doctors part of the form wasn't filled correctly, so thats what has held it up.

Not sure about fis, sorry can't help with that part.

1moo345

Apart from the error, the decision itself only took approx two weeks.

teggers5

thanks for replying so quickly. hopefully they won't keep you waiting for payment too much longer!

1moo345

no problem! hopefully, although at least I know it was my GPs fault not SW themselves. Good luck

1moo345

If you are receiving Family Income Supplement (FIS) and become ill, payment of FIS may continue with Illness Benefit for up to 36 days (6 weeks). Similarly if you become ill while you are getting Back to Work Family Dividend, payment of BTWFD may continue with Illness Benefit for 36 days (6 weeks).

Just found this
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/disability_and_illness/disability_benefit.html

teggers5

thank you so much! loads of other info on that link also!!

another question (sorry)...
do you post your certs or drop them to your local social welfare office?

1moo345

I think they said they all get posted to Dublin anyway so I have just been posting them directly to Dublin. As I havent been paid cant say if it makes a difference time wise but I'd imagine so

teggers5

ahh I see.. so no benefit to handing them in directly so!

1moo345

I could be wrong now but think thats how it works Well, a saving of .75c :P

teggers5

Every cent counts!! lol

Yenwod

1moo345 wrote: »

I couldn't find a recent thread for this so;

I originally sent in MC1 two weeks ago. Sent in MC2 last week. Due to send in another MC2 this week but have to wait until Monday as have no money to see doctor. How long does it usually take to be approved/paid from first cert? Thanks

Potentially you may not get paid until your third cert as it's a retrospective payment. First cert opens the claim. Second cert could potentially pay but if you have to wait the 6 waiting days then the third cert will generate a payment.

teggers5 wrote: »

ahh I see.. so no benefit to handing them in directly so!

The HQ of illness benefit is in Dublin so all get dealt with there...in fact handing them into the LO could potentially cause a delay if they don't immediately post them up for you

dee40

teggers5 wrote: »

thank you so much! loads of other info on that link also!!

another question (sorry)...
do you post your certs or drop them to your local social welfare office?

I always drop into social welfare, Dublin takes days to process

1moo345

Sw just post them to Dublin anyway. Sent the relevent docs in for second time on Monday they haven't even received them yet... Very frustrating.

teggers5

just speaking to a lady in my local SW office. she said that handing them in is the quickest way as they process them daily on the computer.
she also said that the claim is normally processed after the second cert is handed in.