Illness benefit v invalidity pension

carr62

Hi, thanks for reading. I've been on illness benefit for about 15 years now ( rules were different back then, I can remain on it until pension age). I'm wondering should I apply for invalidity pension, as I don't currently benefit from a Xmas bonus or travel pass. I've read that the process of applying can be difficult as many cases are refused. I'm wondering if it's worth the risk of applying, as I seem to be able to carry on with the illness benefit but am worried I could end up losing that if I don't pass the medical assessment. Any advice, I don't want to end up worse than ever! Thanks.

hawthorne

carr62 wrote: »

Hi, thanks for reading. I've been on illness benefit for about 15 years now ( rules were different back then, I can remain on it until pension age). I'm wondering should I apply for invalidity pension, as I don't currently benefit from a Xmas bonus or travel pass. I've read that the process of applying can be difficult as many cases are refused. I'm wondering if it's worth the risk of applying, as I seem to be able to carry on with the illness benefit but am worried I could end up losing that if I don't pass the medical assessment. Any advice, I don't want to end up worse than ever! Thanks.

Exactly the same situation here.
I was told by Citizen Information that I should apply for the Invalidity Pension. Due to the number of years and due to the results of all passed medical exams it should be no problem getting it.
I feel the same as you. I do not know if I will get the Invalidity Pension. I am also afraid to loose the Illness Benefit if they won't give me the Invalidity Pension. The administration works in funny ways and you never know how they treat you.
So I decided to do nothing...for the time being.

carr62

Thanks, reckon I will do the same. Something is better than nothing!

prettyboy81

100% because invalidity pension ensures you qualify for state pension at 66. Illness Benefit Scheme you are on & out of work so long means you may not qualify for state pension.

Plus more benefits in Invalidity Pension.

hawthorne

The years not worked are surely worth a thought.
On IB you are getting all your PRSI contributions credited. Under the old average calculation system- which is still in use- you can use all credits collected while you was on IB to qualify for the contributory pension system.
However, under the new total approach system- which is already also in use and which will be the only used system as of a certain so far unknown date you can use only up to 10 years of IB or JB credits- the rest is worthless and cannot be used. And if you have not done any caring either or have any children born (means you are female), you will be short of a number of years to get the full contributory pension. Depending on your overall credit and contribution situation you will either not qualify at all- or qualify only for a part state pension.
If you do not have enough credits/contributions to qualify for the full state pension, the Invalidity Pension would be the way forward to avoid the non- contributory means tested pension.
As I said above, any application for the Invalidity Pension is risky. They might refuse- and have another look at your IB. You might be thrown off that one as well after another medical assessment. It always depends on really only one thing: Whom you meet in the whole process.
Most of the folks I met over the years are very friendly and do their job in a fair way.
However, there are some really nasty elements in the Department who seem to live out all their neurotic phantasies and who are only waiting to get a chance to "throw you off" and make your life miserable. A small minority- but for sure it is out there.

As I said- I am in exactly the same situation. Still holding my breath.

carr62

Thanks for replies. Given the concerns around the pension, think I better get myself over to citizens advice.....I'm very worried about losing my IB, but I think if I don't apply for it soon I never will. I can see it becoming very difficult to claim anything in the future, as Govt will surely have an extra tight hold of the purse when all this Covid money has to be repaid.

Wanderer78

carr62 wrote:

Thanks for replies. Given the concerns around the pension, think I better get myself over to citizens advice.....I'm very worried about losing my IB, but I think if I don't apply for it soon I never will. I can see it becoming very difficult to claim anything in the future, as Govt will surely have an extra tight hold of the purse when all this Covid money has to be repaid.

Maybe try apply for disability allowance, see what happens, you might get lucky, and you can repeal, think ib still runs out after 2 years, could be wrong though, best of luck

hawthorne

Wanderer78 wrote: »

Maybe try apply for disability allowance, see what happens, you might get lucky, and you can repeal, think ib still runs out after 2 years, could be wrong though, best of luck

The IB will not run out. It is the old time IB with no time limit. The sheme was closed many years ago. Only those who are still on it and still qualify for it keep getting the payment. It is called "Illness Benefit/Continuous duration".
So no need for applying for DA.

gipi

Wanderer78 wrote: »

Maybe try apply for disability allowance, see what happens, you might get lucky, and you can repeal, think ib still runs out after 2 years, could be wrong though, best of luck

Disability allowance is means tested, unlike invalidity pension, so savings and any other household income would be taken into account.

hawthorne

carr62 wrote: »

Thanks for replies. Given the concerns around the pension, think I better get myself over to citizens advice.....I'm very worried about losing my IB, but I think if I don't apply for it soon I never will. I can see it becoming very difficult to claim anything in the future, as Govt will surely have an extra tight hold of the purse when all this Covid money has to be repaid.

I had already a chat with Citizens Advice about this a year ago.
The lady I spoke to told me she thinks I would most certainly qualify for the Invalidity Pension due to my many years spent on Illness Benefit and no change of my condition in the near future- or for ever.
She could not guarantee me anything. I could be granted IP- and could get another medical assessment 12 months later- which could find me fit for work again. In that case I would loose the IP- and would be back on JA! Of course I would have to object to the decision and would have to appeal. I would probably win the appeal- or not.
It is very risky to make a move in the matter. As I said- you never know whom you meet. It all depends on that only!
I am not too far away from the current pension age- which might go up to 67 next autumn- or not. It is all up in the air.
I will wait for another 12 months myself to see what the story is.
I think you are right about the Covid debt. Things will get harder and harder as the years go by.
Let us know how this story has turned out for you in the end- if you apply for the IP.

Wanderer78

hawthorne wrote:

I had already a chat with Citizens Advice about this a year ago. The lady I spoke to told me she thinks I would most certainly qualify for the Invalidity Pension due to my many years spent on illness Benefit and no change of my condition in the near future- or for ever. She could not guarantee me anything. I could be granted IP- and could get another medical assessment 12 years later- which could find me fit for work again. In that case I would loose the IP- and would be back on JA! Of course I would have to object to the decision and would have to appeal. I would probably win the appeal- or not. It is very risky to make a move in the matter. As I said- you never know whom you meet. It all depends on that only! I am not too far away from the current pension age- which might go up to 67 next autumn- or not. It is all up in the air. I will wait for another 12 months myself to see what the story is. I think you are right about the Covid debt. Things will get harder and harder as the years go by. Let us know how this story has turned out for you in the end- if you apply for the IP.

Covid debts don't need to be a big problem, but since our governments largely consists of economic conservatives, they'll probably make it a problem!

hawthorne

You can be sure that this current crowd will eff us left,right and centre!