from JSA to DA while working

Horatio26.

Hello,

I'm currently getting JSA and after seeing my GP , he thinks I should go on DA for awhile due to depression.

I would like to work part-time but as I'm on JSA and meant to be looking for work will they question why I'm applying for DA ie not fit to work yet on JSA for the last few months?

I meet with my case officer often and she knows I am looking for work but not in my usual field as it's too stressful and has played a part in the depression.

Not really sure how to go about this as I want to work but not F/T anymore as I think my GP is right - I'm not in a place to be back there yet but not working at all doesn't feel good for my mental health, either. Working p/t without any benefits at all though isn't financially feasible.

Advice appreciated

GarIT

Your medical history is none of their business. If you have a letter from your doctor entitling you to DA that should be the end of the conversation really. I don't know if it still happens but years ago after a while you used to have to see their doctor to check if their doctor agreed with your doctor's diagnosis. Even then any of the details of your medical situation are none of the business of the person on the desk.

I know nothing about being on DA part time if it's even allowed. If your doctor is recommending it then take some time to look after yourself first.

Application form here: www.welfare.ie/en/pdf/da1.pdf Just to give you a heads up about the medical details which need to be supplied, see below. I wouldn't worry about questions arising in changing from JSA to DA. Best of luck.

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.
The application form requires claimants to give details relating to their level of education and work history, in addition to how their medical condition affects their life and ability to work. Their own doctor must complete a medical report on their medical condition, which outlines various aspects of their medical condition. The Departmental Medical Assessors may give an opinion on the evidence submitted as to the nature and extent of the disability and its effect on the person's capacity to work. http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Disability-Allowance.aspx

Sienna5050

GarIT wrote: »

Your medical history is none of their business. If you have a letter from your doctor entitling you to DA that should be the end of the conversation really. I don't know if it still happens but years ago after a while you used to have to see their doctor to check if their doctor agreed with your doctor's diagnosis. Even then any of the details of your medical situation are none of the business of the person on the desk.

I know nothing about being on DA part time if it's even allowed. If your doctor is recommending it then take some time to look after yourself first.

Your medical history is everything to do with it,and totaly their buissness,the doctors letter is far from enough ,i am on DA and it is a really hard payment to get,i dont know how it works trying to get it while working though ,I was 3 years on it before taking up part time employment and so far iv had no issues with the DA department ,But im definitly not able for full time and i do worry sometime they may decide i am,.I hit lucky in finding a job that was suitable with my anziety issues {and other issues) ,so it worked out for me ,but im aware a different envioronment i may not have been able to cope at all.

Horatio26.

Sienna5050 wrote: »

Your medical history is everything to do with it,and totaly their buissness,the doctors letter is far from enough ,i am on DA and it is a really hard payment to get,i dont know how it works trying to get it while working though ,I was 3 years on it before taking up part time employment and so far iv had no issues with the DA department ,But im definitly not able for full time and i do worry sometime they may decide i am,.I hit lucky in finding a job that was suitable with my anziety issues {and other issues) ,so it worked out for me ,but im aware a different envioronment i may not have been able to cope at all.

Yea I would have a letter from my GP, my previous counselor, my current counselor and a written statement from myself.

I don't hope to be on DA long but the possibility of having no financial support at all while trying to get back on my feet is terrifying and adding to the problem. I guess all I can do is try.

I'm also wondering if the time frame to move from JSA to DA would be the same as applying for DA from scratch.

splinter65

GarIT wrote: »

Your medical history is none of their business. If you have a letter from your doctor entitling you to DA that should be the end of the conversation really. I don't know if it still happens but years ago after a while you used to have to see their doctor to check if their doctor agreed with your doctor's diagnosis. Even then any of the details of your medical situation are none of the business of the person on the desk.

I know nothing about being on DA part time if it's even allowed. If your doctor is recommending it then take some time to look after yourself first.

Why are you advising this poster that a letter from their GP is enough to secure DA?!?

pl4ichjgy17zwd

Horatio26. wrote:

I don't hope to be on DA long but the possibility of having no financial support at all while trying to get back on my feet is terrifying and adding to the problem. I guess all I can do is try.

To get DA your condition is expected to last longer than a year

Horatio26.

Caden Puny Geology wrote: »

To get DA your condition is expected to last longer than a year

Yes I have epilepsy (life long of course) and stress causes seizures. I just mean I'm hoping to not be this negatively affected by stress for years to come as it only really started getting bad in 2017 after a series of events and I never took the time to recover.

Gatling

It literally take 12 months to get and there is no guarantee you will get it at all .
It's a long stressful road of submitting paperwork and evidence to back up your application

Horatio26.

Horatio26. wrote: »

Yea I would have a letter from my GP, my previous counselor, my current counselor and a written statement from myself.

I don't hope to be on DA long but the possibility of having no financial support at all while trying to get back on my feet is terrifying and adding to the problem. I guess all I can do is try.

I'm also wondering if the time frame to move from JSA to DA would be the same as applying for DA from scratch.

Getting DA can be lengthy but should you be taken off JA you would be able to apply for Supplementary Welfare Allowance while waiting.

Horatio26.

Balagan1 wrote: »

Getting DA can be lengthy but should you be taken off JA you would be able to apply for Supplementary Welfare Allowance while waiting.

Then my JSA benefits would be lost ie I'd be eligible for fuel allowance this winter but that would be cancelled out. It's tricky knowing which way to go. I'd almost rather not apply for DA but know that day to day life is getting emotionally & mentally more difficult to cope with - don't want to be in this cycle forever either.

Cherry Blossom

You should absolutely apply for DA, it is the most flexible social welfare payment with great supports for people who want to work either part-time or full-time. I resisted applying for years as I was adamant I was fit for full time work and didn't need it. Potential employers however and medical professionals didnt seem to agree and eventually I bit the bullet and applied. I am now getting great support and help with getting back to work. Honestly, I should have applied years ago.

Horatio26.

Cherry Blossom wrote: »

You should absolutely apply for DA, it is the most flexible social welfare payment with great supports for people who want to work either part-time or full-time. I resisted applying for years as I was adamant I was fit for full time work and didn't need it. Potential employers however and medical professionals didnt seem to agree and eventually I bit the bullet and applied. I am now getting great support and help with getting back to work. Honestly, I should have applied years ago.

Thanks so much, that's how I feel too. I denied for years I needed to take a break and thought I was fine but I've only been distracting myself with work which has made me worse. Will update eventually!

pl4ichjgy17zwd

Horatio26. wrote:

Thanks so much, that's how I feel too. I denied for years I needed to take a break and thought I was fine but I've only been distracting myself with work which has made me worse. Will update eventually!

Best of luck

Horatio26.

Cherry Blossom wrote: »

You should absolutely apply for DA, it is the most flexible social welfare payment with great supports for people who want to work either part-time or full-time. I resisted applying for years as I was adamant I was fit for full time work and didn't need it. Potential employers however and medical professionals didnt seem to agree and eventually I bit the bullet and applied. I am now getting great support and help with getting back to work. Honestly, I should have applied years ago.

Can I ask how long you were waiting to get accepted?

Cherry Blossom

I applied just before Christmas and got the first payment in April.

Sienna5050

I took six months....but a friend got it first time no appeal and that took 3 months ,,from my experience it takes 3 month after application to get a yes or no and then if you have to appeal approx 6 months ,,it did take up to a year and longer for older applications,.,,,,the waiting is awful,,,
But as Cherryblossom said it is a very flexible payment and being able to work part and earn 120euro without payment being affected has being a godsend for me ,best of luck with it .!
Just make sure you include a letter writen by yourself detailing how your condition is affecting you on a daily basis and affecting your ability to work full time ,