Illness Benefit/Invalidity Pension.

Darrio

Hi All, thanks in advance for any replies and all advice would really be appreciated. Rather than have a few treads, if you don't mind, I will just use one. I am 61 at moment and worked all my life (A few different employers). Present Job is in the Health Sector for the last 10 years.

I will ask a couple of questions in the one tread.

At present, I am on Illness Benefit with the 2 years up in February 2020. On medical advice I applied for the Invalidity Pension. After 4 months this was not allowed. I requested a review and an appeal at the same time. Last week, 6 months after requesting the review, it was turned down despite sending it several reports including reports actually saying I will not return to the work place. My understanding is that, it now goes to the full appeal and I have requested an Oral Hearing. I only hope this does not take another 6 months.

My first question is, while my appeal is pending and if it is not decided before my Illness Benefit stops in February, can I get any benefit while the appeal is on going ??. I should add at this point, based on information I got on here earlier, I will not get anything if I applied for the Disability allowance because my wife works and I calculated I would be just over the means test to get anything.

If on medical advice, I retired myself, as I am not long in the Health Service too long. It seems I could get an early pension of €45 a week plus a small lump sum of around €9500. Not much as I would not be able to draw down the State Pension until I am 67 so five and a half years away.

If, I retired for health reasons, would I get the job seekers benefit for 9 months which people can get if they retire at 65 at the moment until they get the state pension at 66.

Is there anything else I should be looking for ??.

Thanks in advance.

Darrio

Sorry for asking again but I could do with some help and advice on the above.

Thank you.

Darrio

Any advice, most welcome, thank you

Whiplashy

I can’t help with all of your questions unfortunately but here’s what I do know.

Since you lodged your appeal at the same time as the review, it is already 6 months in to your waiting time for it. It doesn’t just start now. When I lodged an appeal for invalidity I was advised the waiting time was at least 12 months, because the one office deals with appeals for all social welfare matters.

Once your illness benefit comes to an end you can approach the community welfare officer and apply for supplementary welfare allowance. This is means tested, and since you didn’t meet the requirements for the disability means test, you may not qualify for SWA either. It’s worth a shot though.

Darrio

Whiplashy wrote: »

I can’t help with all of your questions unfortunately but here’s what I do know.

Since you lodged your appeal at the same time as the review, it is already 6 months in to your waiting time for it. It doesn’t just start now. When I lodged an appeal for invalidity I was advised the waiting time was at least 12 months, because the one office deals with appeals for all social welfare matters.

Once your illness benefit comes to an end you can approach the community welfare officer and apply for supplementary welfare allowance. This is means tested, and since you didn’t meet the requirements for the disability means test, you may not qualify for SWA either. It’s worth a shot though.

Thank you very much Whiplashy for taking the time to reply. Your information is very helpful.

I suppose after working all my life and not claiming benefits at all. I am finding the whole process upsetting, especially as my illness benefit finishes in February 2020 and with the GP and others saying I wont be returning to work. Thank you again.

171170

Darrio wrote: »

If, I retired for health reasons, would I get the job seekers benefit for 9 months which people can get if they retire at 65 at the moment until they get the state pension at 66.

If you're available for work, fit for work and actively seeking work, then you'd be eligible to apply for JB.

However, when DSP hear that you've retired from your job for health reasons, and that you have an appeal for the IP in the pipeline, I doubt that they'd accept that you meet all of the above criteria.

splinter65

Sorry I missed this OP. Your IB is running out and will expire when the 2 years are up. You have an Appeal pending. If you have any further updates for the Appeal you should send them in straight away.
I’m afraid that as your wife is working then you won’t get SWA in the meantime and as your not fit for work you can’t get JS so there are no further options. I hope your appeal is successful .

Darrio

Thank you very much 171170 and Splinter65.

Since my last post, I got a letter on Friday to say my illness benefit runs out at the end of February. At present I have a cert from my GP until early February but I was with him again last week and I know he will put me on a 26 week cert then.

I really don't know where to go with this id my Invalidity appeal fails........I have sent in as much documentation as I can so far, with extra documentation to support my review and appeal. It made no difference to the review so I can only hope and pray the appeal goes my way.

I am at a loss to be honest as my GP clearly stated that I will not be returning to work which was backed up by others. Does this mean they do not believe me or my GP ??

As I am still employed, I then face no income the end of February and that is where I feel, I would have to resign my job and accept the very small pension I would get...it is a Catch 22 situation.

Anyway, I know there are many more worse off than I so thank you all for your information and advice, I really appreciate it.

Whiplashy

It wouldn’t simply be a matter of them not believing your GP. You/he may simply not have provided enough medical evidence to back up the opinion that you will not be returning to work. With the appeal you’ll get your hearing so you may be better able to put your case across in person. I was sent to see one of the social welfare doctors and he took one look at the state of me and said he wasn’t putting me through an examination because it was obvious I was f*****.

splinter65

OP did you write a personal letter to Appeals explaining your condition, how it affects you on a day to day basis and how it prevents you from being available for work?
This letter will often sway things in an appeal.

mystic

You say you got your initial disallowance 4 months after applying and the review was unsuccessful after 6 months. Time is the critical factor in your case.
One of the conditions for Invalidity Pension is a person must be permanently incapable of work. However permanently means 12 months.
If your appeal is not heard within 12 months of your IP application and you continue to submit medical certificates, you will be deemed to satisfy the permanently incapable of work rule.
Hope this helps.

Ginger83

splinter65 wrote: »

OP did you write a personal letter to Appeals explaining your condition, how it affects you on a day to day basis and how it prevents you from being available for work?
This letter will often sway things in an appeal.

+1

I'm on IP and was assessed and refused a PMC. It was overturned after I sent an appeal letter stating the day to day issues I face.

splinter65

Ginger83 wrote: »

+1

I'm on IP and was assessed and refused a PMC. It was overturned after I sent an appeal letter stating the day to day issues I face.

It’s kinda essential at this stage.

Ginger83

splinter65 wrote: »

It’s kinda essential at this stage.

Yes I agree and as asap.

Darrio

Hi Guys, thanks for the updates and advice.

I did indeed send in the personal letter as some of you suggested. I actually got help with it from my local Citizens Information so I hope it works for my appeal.

I do realise the timing is very important for their criteria. That is why I applied for the IP after I was one year out of work. As I said, it took 4 months for the first decision and nearly 6 months for the review so that is nearly 10 months and I am still pending the appeal.

Thanks again, much appreciated.