Disability Allowance for Learning Difficulties?

MrLucidLJ

Just a quick question if anyone has any information on this. I know a few people who are under 30 and have disability allowance for learning difficulties like ADHD I think is for one not sure about the other. Another friend has been diagnosed with anxiety is that enough of a justification to apply for it? I think having learning difficulties while troublesome and require help to me don't seem like a disability whereas anxiety can be crippling and disabilitating for people depending on the severity.

njs030

Disability allowance is paid on if it severely restricts the persons ability to work rather than on the illness.
Anyone can apply for it with any illness as long as their doctor is willing to fill in the form. It all depends if the dept agrees that the person is severely restricted in working because of the illness.

Knine

MrLucidLJ wrote: »

I think having learning difficulties while troublesome and require help to me don't seem like a disability whereas anxiety can be crippling and disabilitating for people depending on the severity.

You got to be kidding right? Have you never seen anyone with a severe or profound learning disability? Even those with a mild ID often need lifelong support. Learning disabilities are usually caused by some type of genetic disorder which often also has a whole host of other issues to contend with.

Widdershins

I have an anxiety disorder and there's no way I'd consider it entitles me to claim disability allowance. Intellectual disabilities are more in line with that imo. Anxiety is not a lifelong illness and is often easily treated. How does anxiety stop someone doing an kind of job? If they can't deal with people, don't do a very public job!

This kind of thing bothers me because there are people working their arses off while enduring a multitude of physical and/or mental problems.Why should their hard earned money go toward paying for others the same or even less troubled than them to stay at home and take it easy.

judeboy101

If adhd gets an allowance then surely asd would qualify, and a good chunk of the population is on that spectrum.

pl4ichjgy17zwd

As notjustsweet already said, there are no qualifying conditions for disability allowance. It is measured and awarded based on an individual's inability to work because of their condition. Two people with the same illness are not equally entitled to DA. It's judged on their individual cases.

cee_jay

Widdershins wrote: »

I have an anxiety disorder and there's no way I'd consider it entitles me to claim disability allowance. Intellectual disabilities are more in line with that imo. Anxiety is not a lifelong illness and is often easily treated. How does anxiety stop someone doing an kind of job? If they can't deal with people, don't do a very public job!

This kind of thing bothers me because there are people working their arses off while enduring a multitude of physical and/or mental problems.Why should their hard earned money go toward paying for others the same or even less troubled than them to stay at home and take it easy.

This is not up to you to decide. Please remember posts on this forum should be constructive and helpful in relation to claiming social welfare - people are not here to be judged.

According to www.welfare.ie:

To qualify for Disability Allowance (DA) you 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 66. When you reach 66 years of age you no longer qualify for DA, but you are assessed for a State pension.
Satisfy a means test
Satisfy the habitual residence condition.

Above are the qualifying conditions. If as a result of any sort of illness/injury/disability you are unable to work for at least a year, as certified by a doctor, and verified by the DSP medical exam, then DA could be a relevant payment.

Widdershins

My apologies to the OP. I didn't mean to reply in such a rude tone.

MrLucidLJ

Knine wrote: »

You got to be kidding right? Have you never seen anyone with a severe or profound learning disability? Even those with a mild ID often need lifelong support. Learning disabilities are usually caused by some type of genetic disorder which often also has a whole host of other issues to contend with.

I was only talking generally about mild learning disabilities that seem to get disability allowance. I know a friend who is doing a course with someone who has a mild learning difficulty but is able to function very well in the course but has the disability allowance. I would never judge people who have more then mild difficulties with learning.

MrLucidLJ

Widdershins wrote: »

I have an anxiety disorder and there's no way I'd consider it entitles me to claim disability allowance. Intellectual disabilities are more in line with that imo. Anxiety is not a lifelong illness and is often easily treated. How does anxiety stop someone doing an kind of job? If they can't deal with people, don't do a very public job!

This kind of thing bothers me because there are people working their arses off while enduring a multitude of physical and/or mental problems.Why should their hard earned money go toward paying for others the same or even less troubled than them to stay at home and take it easy.

I know people who have anxiety as well and it can be a crippling disorder and shouldn't be lessened either. Some people can have anxiety for years so I would consider that long term and its not as easily treated as you might think. And most jobs these days are public what an asinine comment to make.
Everyone has a multitude of different problems and struggles that they have to deal with on a daily basis. I would never judge someone who has mental health issues, what I am saying is someone who had mild learning difficulties does that justify the need for disability allowance? I dunno where you are getting that people have it easy. What I would say is the assesment on people should jusify why they really do need disability allowance. You are straying from the question I brought up.

MrLucidLJ

judeboy101 wrote: »

If adhd gets an allowance then surely asd would qualify, and a good chunk of the population is on that spectrum.

What is ASD?

MrLucidLJ

Axl Slimy Starboard wrote: »

As notjustsweet already said, there are no qualifying conditions for disability allowance. It is measured and awarded based on an individual's inability to work because of their condition. Two people with the same illness are not equally entitled to DA. It's judged on their individual cases.

Well surely there is certain criteria that the disability crowd are assessing when dealing with cases on what justifys a person to get disability allowance? If 2 people have similar conditions with near indentical problems but maybe one has an extra one or 2 that puts them over the edge to get disability, doesn't that discriminate on the other person then if they are unable to work as well but because they don't have a litany of extra problems they don't qualify?

MrLucidLJ

cee_jay wrote: »

This is not up to you to decide. Please remember posts on this forum should be constructive and helpful in relation to claiming social welfare - people are not here to be judged.

According to www.welfare.ie:


Above are the qualifying conditions. If as a result of any sort of illness/injury/disability you are unable to work for at least a year, as certified by a doctor, and verified by the DSP medical exam, then DA could be a relevant payment.

Thats a good point I was giving my opinion I wouldn't judge people I just like to know what qualifys people to recieve disability in this current system and climate.

boardsuser1

I'm applying for D.A (again) next Monday, I have a personality disorder, backed up by the local social worker in writing, also a cervical fusion and degenerated spine, all but the P.D was previously refused.

It's the luck of the draw OP.

MrLucidLJ

Cork Truck Driver wrote: »

I'm applying for D.A (again) next Monday, I have a personality disorder, backed up by the local social worker in writing, also a cervical fusion and degenerated spine, all but the P.D was previously refused.

It's the luck of the draw OP.

See you have a good few things that are going on. For me if someone has poor spelling and poor reading they can get help with that from people that doesn't stop their inability to work in my eyes.

boardsuser1

MrLucidLJ wrote: »

See you have a good few things that are going on. For me if someone has poor spelling and poor reading they can get help with that from people that doesn't stop their inability to work in my eyes.

if reading and writing are the issues give this crowd a call and they can help you.

https://www.nala.ie/

Knine

MrLucidLJ wrote: »

I was only talking generally about mild learning disabilities that seem to get disability allowance. I know a friend who is doing a course with someone who has a mild learning difficulty but is able to function very well in the course but has the disability allowance. I would never judge people who have more then mild difficulties with learning.

My daughter has a mild Learning Disability. I would certainly hope you would not judge her either because she has a very severe life threatening genetic disorder and if you seen her out and about she functions well too. So no you should never judge.

Widdershins

MrLucidLJ wrote: »

I know people who have anxiety as well and it can be a crippling disorder and shouldn't be lessened either. Some people can have anxiety for years so I would consider that long term and its not as easily treated as you might think. And most jobs these days are public what an asinine comment to make.
Everyone has a multitude of different problems and struggles that they have to deal with on a daily basis. I would never judge someone who has mental health issues, what I am saying is someone who had mild learning difficulties does that justify the need for disability allowance? I dunno where you are getting that people have it easy. What I would say is the assesment on people should jusify why they really do need disability allowance. You are straying from the question I brought up.

Im not lessening it though. Do you know whether your friends have been treated for it?
You can have it for years as you say but it can be controlled and life made manageable. I also never said people have it easy. I was pointing out that some people do work with bad anxiety. IMO It's worse to let it control you and make you an unemployed shut in. As has been said, apparently the person's eligibility depends on the extent to which their life is affected by their condition anxiety or disability.

MrLucidLJ

Knine wrote: »

My daughter has a mild Learning Disability. I would certainly hope you would not judge her either because she has a very severe life threatening genetic disorder and if you seen her out and about she functions well too. So no you should never judge.

If I may ask what does she have exactly and what is the life threatening genetic disorder? I guess when you are medicated for certain things that does help as well with things in life.

MrLucidLJ

Widdershins wrote: »

Im not lessening it though. Do you know whether your friends have been treated for it?
You can have it for years as you say but it can be controlled and life made manageable. I also never said people have it easy. I was pointing out that some people do work with bad anxiety. IMO It's worse to let it control you and make you an unemployed shut in. As has been said, apparently the person's eligibility depends on the extent to which their life is affected by their condition anxiety or disability.

From some of your comments it felt like that you were. Mental health in this country has been stigmatised for too long and that is changing in society. He has been treated by mental health professions with medications and started a course there recently. It can be made managable but flairs of it do come up for him from time to time. Well is that their choice they have to work and not seek help for their anxiety do you have examples in your life of people you know? Yes of course he had a struggle for a few years where it was controlling him and consuming its not as easy as an on off switch ya know.

Knine

MrLucidLJ wrote: »

If I may ask what does she have exactly and what is the life threatening genetic disorder? I guess when you are medicated for certain things that does help as well with things in life.

No it is extremely rare so therefore I am not going to comment on what it is. There is no medication to cure or help with it. Unlike anxiety etc she will live with it for the rest of her life.

Widdershins

MrLucidLJ wrote: »

From some of your comments it felt like that you were. Mental health in this country has been stigmatised for too long and that is changing in society. He has been treated by mental health professions with medications and started a course there recently. It can be made managable but flairs of it do come up for him from time to time. Well is that their choice they have to work and not seek help for their anxiety do you have examples in your life of people you know? Yes of course he had a struggle for a few years where it was controlling him and consuming its not as easy as an on off switch ya know.

Well I'm sorry it seemed like that. No, they didn't work without controlling it. They had to work but they also got it under control at the same time. Not an easy thing to do and I'm not saying it is simple. The company of work colleagues can help some people too.

Balagan

MrLucidLJ wrote: »

Just a quick question if anyone has any information on this. I know a few people who are under 30 and have disability allowance for learning difficulties like ADHD I think is for one not sure about the other. Another friend has been diagnosed with anxiety is that enough of a justification to apply for it? I think having learning difficulties while troublesome and require help to me don't seem like a disability whereas anxiety can be crippling and disabilitating for people depending on the severity.

There are learning difficulties/disorders and then there are learning/intellectual disabilities. It is the latter category that would lead to most, but not all, disability claims in these particular categories. If you have the time to read it, this document/protocol is helpful. http://www.welfare.ie/en/downloads/protocol4.pdf

There is also a protocol for Anxiety http://www.welfare.ie/en/downloads/protocol2.pdf and one for Depression http://www.welfare.ie/en/downloads/protocol1.pdf

LeeW

Widdershins wrote: »

I have an anxiety disorder and there's no way I'd consider it entitles me to claim disability allowance. Intellectual disabilities are more in line with that imo. Anxiety is not a lifelong illness and is often easily treated. How does anxiety stop someone doing an kind of job? If they can't deal with people, don't do a very public job!

This kind of thing bothers me because there are people working their arses off while enduring a multitude of physical and/or mental problems.Why should their hard earned money go toward paying for others the same or even less troubled than them to stay at home and take it easy.

How dare you ! Do you have any idea how it feels to be confined to your home most days because the outside world is so terrifying ? The feeling of terror when a knock comes to the door? The panic rising in you when all you want to do is go to the local shop to get milk ???? It’s people like you that trivialise the disorder and you should be ashamed !

tringle

Knine wrote: »

You got to be kidding right? Have you never seen anyone with a severe or profound learning disability? Even those with a mild ID often need lifelong support. Learning disabilities are usually caused by some type of genetic disorder which often also has a whole host of other issues to contend with.

The OP asked about "learning difficulty" not "learning disability" there is a huge difference.

Anyone I know with a learning disability is on a disability payment if they are an adult and often has a family member rightly receiving careers allowance for them.

I know 2 people with learning difficulties on a disability payment but both had other issues as well. One was refused the payment based on her learning difficulty alone, her difficulty means her comprehension is limited and she couldn't hold down a course and couldn't get a job, she was in the special needs class in school. But then she reapplied as she had a back problem too and got the payment based on that.
The second didn't know they had a learning difficulty and had a bit of a breakdown when it was diagnosed as an adult. They got disability payment for a year while trying to come to terms with it, they where attending the local mental health unit during this time and it was obvious they were not in a position to work. He is now self employed.

judeboy101

There was a murder trial recently where the judge accepted autism as a form of insanity for the purpose of diminished responsibility.

Wanderer78

judeboy101 wrote:

There was a murder trial recently where the judge accepted autism as a form of insanity for the purpose of diminished responsibility.

Autism is highly complex, I do suspect a very large amount of criminals are indeed on the spectrum, many undiagnosed, therefore untreated

Gatling

Wanderer78 wrote: »

Autism is highly complex, I do suspect a very large amount of criminals are indeed on the spectrum, many undiagnosed, therefore untreated

Was there not a study recently that said sciencestist believe if they tested the population nearly everyone would be somewhere on the spectrum ,

Wanderer78

Gatling wrote: »

Was there not a study recently that said sciencestist believe if they tested the population nearly everyone would be somewhere on the spectrum ,

no idea to be honest, but i do suspect a large proportion of society is indeed somewhere on the spectrum, such is the complexity of it. some will be diagnosed but i suspect most are not, and live a fairly normal life, but on the other hand some have been diagnosed and struggle to live a normal life, and others have not been diagnosed and struggle from day to day living. id be surprised if there hasnt been research done on my idea of the link between autism and criminality though, i have been told there has been peer reviewed work done on the link of criminality and common learning disabilities such as dyslexia etc.

tringle

Wanderer78 wrote: »

have been told there has been peer reviewed work done on the link of criminality and common learning disabilities such as dyslexia etc.

You mean learning difficulty.
Dyslexia is a learning difficulty not a learning disability. It is just one of a range of difficulties known as Specific Learning Difficulties that also include Dyspraxia, Dyscalcula, Dysgraphia and the person may also have Irlen syndrome.
A person with a learning difficulty would have a normal or above IQ and have a problem with a specific area of learning such as reading..I.e. They have a "difficulty" learning.

And the term learning disability is now more correctly known as intellectual disabilty. It refers to someone with a lower than average IQ and has a lot of other clinically proven issues intellectual and physical/medical such as Down Syndrome. They have a recognised and proven disability.

However the terminology does change from country to country and confuses the issue and here in Ireland for a long time we have lumped a whole lot together under the term "special needs".

An adult with an intellectual (learning) disability will be entitled to a disability payment. They may only be able to enter the workforce with a lot of support.

An adult with a learning difficulty may struggle in the workforce or may shine in it. Those struggling may need a lot of back up information to get a disability payment.

Widdershins

Most people have some trait or other than seems autistic, but they include assessment of the 'triad of impairments' in the diagnostic assessment. Most people do not have that level of impairment/difficulties/traits and would never be diagnosed if they underwent an assessment. ''Everyone's a little bit autistic'' is just an expression, ''seems a little bit autistic in some ways'' would be better.

Demonique

MrLucidLJ wrote: »

What is ASD?

Autistic Spectrum Disorder