Disability allowance

Mountain34

Hi there I’m just looking for advice. A few years ago I broke a bone in my back in an accident since then iv always had a bit of back pain but always been ok to work, until a few months ago I had a baby and since then my back is in such a bad way I struggle to get out of bed and to get off the couch (when I do eventually pull myself up I have to stay hunched over for a minute before I can straighten up) the pain has gone down through my legs now also and pain killers are not even taking the edge off, I’m also struggling a lot to bend over to pick my baby up. I’m not one to go to the doctor unless it’s serious but have finally given up on the hope it will go away as it’s getting worse as time goes on. My question is with this problem would I be entitled to apply for disability allowance? I had been told by the doctors a few years ago when I had my accident that this break would cause me to get authorities in my back at a young age and I’m afraid now this is what’s happening
Any advice would be greatly
Appreciated

Gatling

Of course your entitled to apply for DA but it's not easy to qualify to get a payment ,
You will need to talk to your gp first and have all your medical evidence for the application first ,
In the meantime talk to your doctor about managing your condition

Mountain34

Gatling wrote: »

Of course your entitled to apply for DA but it's not easy to qualify to get a payment ,
You will need to talk to your gp first and have all your medical evidence for the application first ,
In the meantime talk to your doctor about managing your condition

Hi there thanks very much for the reply. Iv my doctors appointment for Friday so hoping and praying they refer me for physio or something that will help with this as I’m quiet scared my body is giving up on me at only 34. I probably should of wrote the post a little differently I meant to say what would my chances be on receiving disability allowance for 12 months (I’m hoping I will get some bit better by then) or would it be a waste of time. I was told severe back pain would have me approved but I’m not so sure

Nothing surprises me now

Mountain34 wrote: »

Hi there I’m just looking for advice. A few years ago I broke a bone in my back in an accident since then iv always had a bit of back pain but always been ok to work, until a few months ago I had a baby and since then my back is in such a bad way I struggle to get out of bed and to get off the couch (when I do eventually pull myself up I have to stay hunched over for a minute before I can straighten up) the pain has gone down through my legs now also and pain killers are not even taking the edge off, I’m also struggling a lot to bend over to pick my baby up. I’m not one to go to the doctor unless it’s serious but have finally given up on the hope it will go away as it’s getting worse as time goes on. My question is with this problem would I be entitled to apply for disability allowance? I had been told by the doctors a few years ago when I had my accident that this break would cause me to get authorities in my back at a young age and I’m afraid now this is what’s happening
Any advice would be greatly
Appreciated

I think you would have to be on illness benefit first for about a year before you can apply for disability allowance but I stand to be corrected.

Mountain34

Nothing surprises me now wrote: »

I think you would have to be on illness benefit first for about a year before you can apply for disability allowance but I stand to be corrected.

Oh yes your probably right I get confused as to what’s what

Nothing surprises me now

Mountain34 wrote: »

Oh yes your probably right I get confused as to what’s what

It sounds like you're in very bad pain and hopefully your GP will be able to help you with medication. He/she may certify you incapable of work and if you're on long term illness then I think you can apply for DA. It must be very hard for you with your pain and also minding your new baby when it should be a happy time for you to enjoy with your baby. Best of luck.

Mountain34

Nothing surprises me now wrote: »

It sounds like you're in very bad pain and hopefully your GP will be able to help you with medication. He/she may certify you incapable of work and if you're on long term illness then I think you can apply for DA. It must be very hard for you with your pain and also minding your new baby when it should be a happy time for you to enjoy with your baby. Best of luck.

Thank you very much i appreciate that. As all I want is to be fit and healthy to run around with my son as he grows thanks again take care

Gatling

Nothing surprises me now wrote: »

I think you would have to be on illness benefit first for about a year before you can apply for disability allowance but I stand to be corrected.

That's actually wrong


There is no need to be on either to apply for one or the other

I don’t think you can apply for disability allowance unless your injury or illness will see you unfit for work for a period of more than 12 months. Definitely worth a shot to apply for it, but it does take quiet a while before you’ll hear back from them. A few months or more isn’t unusual

Gatling

Mabel Obnoxious XylophoneMGS wrote: »

I don’t think you can apply for disability allowance unless your injury or illness will see you unfit for work for a period of more than 12 months.

Not necessarily true either

Gatling

Gatling wrote: »

Not necessarily true either

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

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/disability_and_illness/disability_allowance.html#l1f4da/

splinter65

Nothing surprises me now wrote: »

I think you would have to be on illness benefit first for about a year before you can apply for disability allowance but I stand to be corrected.

That’s not true at all.

Nothing surprises me now

splinter65 wrote: »

That’s not true at all.

Thank you, as I said in previous post, I stand to be corrected, which you have now done.

splinter65

Nothing surprises me now wrote: »

Thank you, as I said in previous post, I stand to be corrected, which you have now done.

A lot of people who make queries on this forum do so because they have difficulty looking up the information for themselves. Rather then guess what the answer might be, it’s good practice to look it up before you reply. The information is easy to find if you know how to look for it. It saves you getting slapped down by other posters and it’s a good idea if the OP gets good advice as opposed to wrong information or just someone’s personal opinion.

Sesame

I would explore all of the options first. How bad is the pain, does it get worse with activity? If that's the case, are there any sedentary jobs you could do. You would be in a much healthier (both mentally and phyically) position by working and earning if that's what you want to do.
Also, definitely look into physiotherapy options and if it is back and neck related a chiropractor could possibly work some magic on it. I went to a great one who pulled and clicked me into place and made me feel 100% better after 3 appointments.

nikkibikki

You can apply for illness benefit through your GP. Once you have enough PRSI contributions, you will get this for 2 years providing your doctor will sign you off which it def sounds like they should.

You will need to get weekly certs from your GP's office, I used to be able to get them from the secretary, and these need to be signed by you and handed in to social welfare office. My local social welfare office has a special letter box for them so don't need to wait til office is open or queue up or anything.

After 12 months, they sent me a letter to say only needed to send in certs monthly.

If it becomes apparent that this could prevent you from working full time then apply for disability allowance. It takes months to get a response. Vast majority get refused on first application and need an appeal. When/If you feel ready, you can earn a certain amount from rehabilitative employment while keeping your payment.