Disability or Jobseeker's Allowance

ttrreeww

Quick necessary backstory: I am 23 and diagnosed OCD, and am severely disabled because of many mental health issues (I essentially haven't had social interactions since secondary school). I have never worked a real job (did a few weeks work for my dad a couple times but that's all) and never applied for welfare. My psychiatrist has signed and filled out his portion of the disability application forms.

I was under the impression I could potentially get both disability AND jobseeker's at the same time, but after talking to someone from the Intreo Centre they informed me that it's one or the other (if I go with disability, I am stating that I'm ineligible for work for a year).

This was 3 months ago and I haven't followed up with either option. My plan is to try work on my issues by doing some adult education, but I've been told you qualify for jobseeker's while doing this, so I don't see the point going for disability instead of that as it seems to limit my options, they both give the same weekly allowance, disability allowance seems more complex and like a bigger commitment.

Two main questions:
1. Do I qualify for jobseeker's allowance?
2. Is 130 euro a week (what I'd get from jobseeker's or disability) the max I can get? Not to sound greedy but I genuinely feel I can highly benefit the more money.

My psychiatrist backs me on my plans, if that helps with anything.

Twister2

Who's your psychiatrist?

punisher5112

ttrreeww wrote: »

Quick necessary backstory: I am 23 and diagnosed OCD, and am severely disabled because of many mental health issues (I essentially haven't had social interactions since secondary school). I have never worked a real job (did a few weeks work for my dad a couple times but that's all) and never applied or welfare. My psychiatrist has signed and filled out his portion of the disability application forms.

I was under the impression I could potentially get both disability AND jobseeker's at the same time, but after talking to someone from the Intreo Centre they informed me that it's one or the other (if I go with disability, I am stating that I'm ineligible for work for a year).

This was 3 months ago and I haven't followed up with either option. My plan is to try work on my issues by doing some adult education, but I've been told you qualify for jobseeker's while doing this, so I don't see the point going for disability instead of that as it seems to limit my options, they both give the same weekly allowance, disability allowance seems more complex and like a bigger commitment.

Two main questions:
1. Do I qualify for jobseeker's allowance?
2. Is 130 euro a week (what I'd get from jobseeker's or disability) the max I can get? Not to sound greedy but I genuinely feel I can highly benefit the more money.

My psychiatrist backs me on my plans, if that helps with anything.

You aren't going to get 2 payments! Where did you think that.

If you qualify for either then that's what you get.

Job seekers you would have to be available to work.

wifey28

you dont qualify for jobseekers if you are not looking for full time work
Also if you live at home because of your age, your parents will be means tested for jobseekers, and thers a chance youll get nothing at all, But that doesnt really matter as your not available for or seeking full time work so your not eligible, and yes the max rate is 130 because of your age.

for disability youll need to prove you are not capable of working any sort of job in the long term. the rate for disability is 203 a week, but be aware this can take several months to a year to complete the application, you will need to send in notes from your treating psychiatrist to back up the info given

As for education, im not sure what the story is with disability, but on jobseekers you cant be in full time education, and back to education you need to be on a payment for a while to be eligible

There is no situation in which you would recieve 2 welfare payments

ttrreeww

Twister2 wrote: »

Who's your psychiatrist?

I'd rather not say in thread. PM'd.

punisher5112 wrote: »

You aren't going to get 2 payments! Where did you think that.

If you qualify for either then that's what you get.

Job seekers you would have to be available to work.

I guess you're right. I'd like to try get jobseeker's allowance before resorting to disability but the forms don't seem to apply to me (a lot of questions about previous employment, which I don't know how to answer). I spoke to an occupational therapist who assured me I can get jobseeker's while attending the full-time adult education courses (e.g. National Learning Network courses), but reading online there seems to be a weird paradox of needing to be on jobseeker's allowance (or an equivalent) to be eligible to enroll, but I'm not sure if I qualify for jobseeker's unless I'm already attending the course.

punisher5112

Get work in a call centre so no face to face contact only other staff or a factory in the back so you aren't dealing with the public.

Cherry Blossom

You could be doing with more money so much you want two payments but you havent bothered claiming anything for the past 5 years (jobseekers) to 7 years (DA). Im sorry but i dont understand your thought process at all. Its simple, if your looking for full-time work (which you will periodically be asked for proof of) apply for JSA, if not apply for DA. ETB courses pay their own allowance while you are undertaking a course with them. The amount they pay is dependant on your social welfare payment before you start the course.

tdf7187

The problem with jobseekers for someone in your position is that these days (it may not always have been like this, I don't know) you will be monitored to see if you are genuinely looking for work. You could apply, get it for a few months, and then be cut off if you are unable to provide evidence that you have sent out applications and/or don't turn up for meetings with a careers advisor and the like. Also these days you have to physically collect it at your local post office (it may not always have been like this, I think they paid it direct into peoples bank accounts at one time but then it was discovered a small % were abusing the system e.g. living abroad while still receiving jobseekers here).

Cherry Blossom

Just to add, DA is the most flexible social welfare payment and has the most generous means test. I resisted it for years because of a perceived stigma i had. Applying was the best thing ive done when i finally gave in.

ldy4mxonucwsq6

Both disability and jobseekers allowances are means tested so bear this in mind but your parent’s income is not taken into account when you are assessed for disability allowance.

One way or another you are either available to work (jobseekers) or as a result of a disability be substantially restricted in undertaking work (disability).

If your psychiatrist has already filled in the forms for disability, have they recommended that you aren't in a position to work at the minute?

There is a back to education allowance but you have to be in receipt of a social welfare payment before you can apply for it.

It's complex so depending on what type of course/qualifying periods etc. BTEA usually matches the amount whatever social welfare payment you are getting.

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/back_to_education/back_to_education_allowance.html

Might be worthwhile making an calling into your local citizens information centre to have a chat.

tdf7187

Cherry Blossom wrote: »

Just to add, DA is the most flexible social welfare payment and has the most generous means test. I resisted it for years because of a perceived stigma i had. Applying was the best thing ive done when i finally gave in.

Do you mind me asking do you have to have a serious disability to get it?

ldy4mxonucwsq6

tdf7187 wrote: »

Do you mind me asking do you have to have a serious disability to get it?

There's no 'list' of disabilities as such, obviously depending on the illness/disability people can be affected differently but broadly this is what they say:

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"

Cherry Blossom

tdf7187 wrote: »

Do you mind me asking do you have to have a serious disability to get it?

Every application is considered on its own merits and each individuals circumstances. I cant guess at whether other people will qualify or not, my only experience with it is my own situation. Just apply if you think you qualify, if it gets rejected then get citizens advice to help you appeal. I was told they know how best to appeal. Thankfully i didn't need to.

ttrreeww

Thanks for all the replies. I am going to go for disability. Will my disability allowance application get rejected if the part my psychiatrist filled out was done 3 months ago? Some of the information is out of date (my medication is different, I was an in-patient at the time), and I'm not seeing him again until December.

If my application is denied and I appeal, am I entitled to a back-payment for the added months of having an application reviewed twice?

Abraham Stocky Ransom wrote: »

If your psychiatrist has already filled in the forms for disability, have they recommended that you aren't in a position to work at the minute?

For this part: "12.Is the customer suitable for work/training for rehabilitative purposes?" He ticked yes. Does this invalidate me?
I'll try talk to someone in Citizens information. I've made a mess of everything.

tdf7187

ttrreeww wrote: »

For this part: "12.Is the customer suitable for work/training for rehabilitative purposes?" He ticked yes. Does this invalidate me?
I'll try talk to someone in Citizens information. I've made a mess of everything.

Would have thought no it does not invalidate you. Question says work/training for rehabilitative purposes. Others may have more info on this.

Cherry Blossom

I just got my GP to fill in the form, she included a copy of a letter the consultant sent them and sent it straight off. You are allowed to do rehabilitative work on DA and its encouraged, by that i mean there are channels to help you get work and subsidies for employers who take on people with disabilities.

ldy4mxonucwsq6

ttrreeww wrote: »

For this part: "12.Is the customer suitable for work/training for rehabilitative purposes?" He ticked yes. Does this invalidate me?
I'll try talk to someone in Citizens information. I've made a mess of everything.

No I'd say that's fine because it's for rehabilitative purposes.

Rehabilitative training services can be provided by the HSE, they cover a wide range of supports for people with disabilities and you get to retain your disability allowance for example.

Link below if you want to read a bit about it, it could be worth looking at doing. Doesn't sound too bad at all, even just to help you with the social skills in a controlled environment (I know you had mentioned you hadn't socialised much since finishing school):

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/health/health_services/health_services_for_people_with_disabilities/rehabilitation_and_training_services_for_people_with_disabilities.html

zachler

I would suggest going to a Citizens Information Centre or even a Local Employment Service (LES) if there's one near you.

http://centres.citizensinformation.ie/

http://www.localemploymentservices.ie/locations/

If you go down the disability payment route there can be delays but you can go to your Community Welfare Officer for some emergency payments to tide you over if needs be.

http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/otheroffice/community-welfare-office-contact.aspx

Ultimately, if you want to enter the workplace, you'll need to address your underlying mental health issues first. Going into education isn't necessarily the way to do this.