Disability and work

kodaline78 · 07-02-2017 12:48pm #1

Hi ALL,

I am in my late thirties and currently in receipt of jobseekers allowance. I am on the casual dockets at the moment. I am thinking of applying for disability allowance as I have suffered from Depression approx 20 years and never been able to hold down a job in that time. I did a part time course last year but wasn't successful. I am well educated with a degree and post graduate but my motivation, concentration, apathy is getting worse as time goes by. I'm just wondering if in a way that going on Disability allowance is a cop out and that i will live a life with no fullfilment and achievement. I told my sister and she was annoyed that i would even think of applying for it. IM from a middle class background and Feel my parents haven't really accepted my condition and the reality of it being so detrimental to work and career. All advice welcome.:)

baby and crumble · 07-02-2017 2:12pm

Firstly you'll need to get a medical note from your GP to state you are incapable of work due to reasons of a disability. Are you working with a GP or psychiatrist to manage your condition? Because you will need that too. Perhaps working more on that may enable you to address your mental health concerns.

Disability is there to support people who are incapable of work- most people on the DA are in poverty because it's not exactly a lot of money. Why do you think it would be better for you to go on DA rather than stay working a casual roster? How do you propose to fill your time?

I'm not trying to be argumentative, I just think there's a lot more to it than just deciding to go on DA instead of Jobseekers.

njs030 · 07-02-2017 2:28pm

DA is only for people who are unable to work for at least a year due to a disability. You are able to work so you won't be approved.

It's one of the hardest payments to get, you need to have the form filled in by a doctor explaining point by point in what areas of your life your disability means you are unable to work. It takes a long time and most people are turned down and have to appeal.

....... · 07-02-2017 3:54pm

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baby and crumble · 07-02-2017 3:59pm

....... wrote: »

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Actually, that's not true. Mental illness is a qualifying condition, and is classed as a disability. Depression is a diagnosable mental illness.

....... · 07-02-2017 4:35pm

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njs030 · 07-02-2017 4:41pm

....... wrote: »

For social welfare purposes? Really? Never knew that.

I know someone going through appeal after appeal for disability allowance on the basis of depression and he has been diagnosed, years of medical backup, doctors, consultant psychiatrists etc and no joy. I presumed (from what he told me), that social welfare dont accept depression as a disability.

Happy to be corrected.

It's very very hard to get a disability allowance payment on the basis of depression that's why your friend is finding it so hard.

....... · 07-02-2017 5:06pm

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njs030 · 07-02-2017 5:25pm

....... wrote: »

So I guess it wouldnt be any easier for the OP then?

The op won't get it as she/he is currently working so is obviously capable of work. I said that in my first post, it's only for people like your poor friend who genuinely do need it.
I do know of one person who got it with depression actually.

Wesser · 07-02-2017 7:34pm

I would advise you to stay in work . Even part time if you can. Or maybe you just need to find a job that suits you.

Not being occupied / boredom is very bad for your mental health. Being occupied for even a few hours every day is a good distractuomnand keeps you in some kind of social loop and stops you getting isolated.

kodaline78 · 09-02-2017 4:39pm

Hi thanks for all the replies and advice. I don't think i articulated my situation very well so will give more info. I have been prescribed anti depressants for over 15 years now by a pyschiatrist and my quality of life has definitely improved. I am qualified in the education sector and have left at least 3 jobs in that time. Its nearly 3 years now since i decided that i was definitely finished in that sector but i still do relief work. Its just i cant decide or dont even know what i would like to do.My short term memory and recalling of information has really worsened in the last while and was a big reason that i failed a computer course. I believe that this a side effect of the medication i have been on. I have started to turn down work lately as i just can't face it. I have made an appointment with an Occupational Therapist to discuss my situation. I realise there are people in far worse situations than me.

....... · 09-02-2017 4:50pm

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infogiver · 09-02-2017 4:53pm

....... wrote: »

Depression isnt a disability.

How is your depression being managed?

What on earth do you mean? DA is not restricted to people with physical disabilities, you do know that?

infogiver · 09-02-2017 4:56pm

....... wrote: »

For social welfare purposes? Really? Never knew that.

I know someone going through appeal after appeal for disability allowance on the basis of depression and he has been diagnosed, years of medical backup, doctors, consultant psychiatrists etc and no joy. I presumed (from what he told me), that social welfare dont accept depression as a disability.

Happy to be corrected.

You don't get DA based on a diagnosis.
There isn't a list of illnesses and conditions that qualify you for DA
You get it if you can adequatly demonstrate how your condition prevents you from being available for work.

....... · 09-02-2017 5:23pm

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LegacyUser · 09-02-2017 8:23pm

Just to add OP, I know someone who was turned down for DA; this person had cancer and was undergoing treatment. They had to fight every inch of the way to get DA. (Now thankfully fully recovered and back at work).

Be prepared if you go that route, it will not be an easy process. There are numerous posts also in the Benefits section of boards where people describe their experience.

I'm not trying to tell you what to do, or not do, but just to be aware that it is likely to be highly stressful for you.

jenny smith · 16-02-2017 4:15pm

notjustsweet wrote: »

The op won't get it as she/he is currently working so is obviously capable of work. I said that in my first post, it's only for people like your poor friend who genuinely do need it.
I do know of one person who got it with depression actually.

you do not know if she will get it oor not. One has to be substantially restricted in work, not unable to work
OP see http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Disability-Allowance.aspx
Hundred of people thousand possibly get DA for depression which most ceratinly is a disability. I know someone who got it easy for depression anxiety. OP if you want to know about welfare ask welfare

njs030 · 16-02-2017 4:41pm

jenny smith wrote: »

you do not know if she will get it oor not. One has to be substantially restricted in work, not unable to work
OP see http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Disability-Allowance.aspx
Hundred of people thousand possibly get DA for depression which most ceratinly is a disability. I know someone who got it easy for depression anxiety. OP if you want to know about welfare ask welfare

She is currently working so is able to work and support herself. That's what DA is for, as said many times it's not the illness that makes the decision it's the ability to support oneself. There's no reason why she can't apply and no one has told her not to.

Please find a post where I said depression isn't a disability? No, you can't so don't imply I said that thanks.

jenny smith · 16-02-2017 5:58pm

notjustsweet wrote: »

She is currently working so is able to work and support herself. That's what DA is for, as said many times it's not the illness that makes the decision it's the ability to support oneself. There's no reason why she can't apply and no one has told her not to.

Please find a post where I said depression isn't a disability? No, you can't so don't imply I said that thanks.

I did not imply you said it was not an illness.Don't say i did. Thanks you did say one must be unable to work. Not true.Substantially restricted is the test according to welfare who know more about the criterion. It is not the ability to support oneself. It is being substantially restricted in work, not unable to work

From welfare site http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Disability-Allowance.aspx
my highlighting

Qualifying Conditions in Summary

To qualify for a Disability Allowance a person must:
Have an injury, disease or physical or mental disability that has continued or may be expected to continue for at least one year

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

be aged between 16 and under 66

satisfy a means test

be habitually resident in the State.

Qualifying Conditions in Detail

Medical
be substantially restricted in undertaking suitable employment

The medical criteria which must be satisfied in order to qualify for Disability Allowance are:
The person must be suffering from an injury, disease, congenital deformity or physical or mental illness or defect which has continued or may reasonably be expected to continue for a period of at least a year
and

As a result of the condition the person is substantially restricted in undertaking work which would otherwise be suitable having regard to the person's age, experience and qualifications.

This would mean that the person's capacity to undertake or carry out work would be substantially less than that of a person without the specified Disability in question.

jenny smith · 16-02-2017 6:04pm

OP if you think DA is right for you then go ahead .You are entitled to apply and have to be give a fair hearing.

infogiver · 16-02-2017 6:53pm

jenny smith wrote: »

I did not imply you said it was not an illness.Don't say i did. Thanks you did say one must be unable to work. Not true.Substantially restricted is the test according to welfare who know more about the criterion. It is not the ability to support oneself. It is being substantially restricted in work, not unable to work

From welfare site http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Disability-Allowance.aspx
my highlighting

Anybody in part time work applying for DA is automatically disqualified.
It doesn't matter how you choose to interpret the OG, I'm afraid that's the reality and it really is a shame to encourage someone to go to the stress of applying and then be refused.
But go ahead OP as another poster says you are entitled to apply and be heard.

njs030 · 16-02-2017 7:01pm

infogiver wrote: »

Anybody in part time work applying for DA is automatically disqualified.
It doesn't matter how you choose to interpret the OG, I'm afraid that's the reality and it really is a shame to encourage someone to go to the stress of applying and then be refused.
But go ahead OP as another poster says you are entitled to apply and be heard.

Thanks, I didn't want to get into a back and forth over wording.
Of course if op feels s/he wants to apply then they should. They asked for advice and were given it.

jenny smith · 17-02-2017 12:53pm

Don't mean to mislead you OP and apology if i did. But i don't think you should assume it is always difficult to get, or assume it isn't either. if you feel you are entitled to it apply. You will have rights and can appeal if turned down. if not happy you may be able to complain to ombudsman

I know of several people with depression on DA and one in particular got it easy

infogiver · 17-02-2017 6:49pm

jenny smith wrote: »

Don't mean to mislead you OP and apology if i did. But i don't think you should assume it is always difficult to get, or assume it isn't either. if you feel you are entitled to it apply. You will have rights and can appeal if turned down. if not happy you may be able to complain to ombudsman

I know of several people with depression on DA and one in particular got it easy

But was your friend working when she got DA?

charlietheminxx · 18-02-2017 7:40am

I think you need to look into a different sort of work OP. Depression is horrific, it makes the simplest of things seem like monumental tasks but I agree with an earlier point that being out of work completely can be more detrimental to your mental health.

My heart goes out to you for struggling with this for so long and fighting the entire way. If things have taken a significant decline over the last couple of years, I would suggest seeing perhaps another doctor and having your treatment plan reviewed.

There are part-time jobs out there that are repetitive and may not be stimulating but would still have you out of the house, interacting with people and put more money in your pocket than the disability allowance would. I know how trapped you may feel and trying to find solutions to a problem can seem insurmountable when you're chronically depressed but have a chat with those around you and see if you can find something you think just might work for you. There's no harm in giving things a go. You didn't do well in one course, but that doesn't mean you're permanently incapable of finding something that does suit you. Best of luck.

Disability and work

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