Disability allowance after illness benefit

LegacyUser

I've been on illness benefit coming up to two years now and i recently got a letter saying disability allowance would be a more appropriate claim at this stage, I rang my doctor about what to do but didn't really get any advise, he basically just said it was up to me on what I did and if there was anything medical on the form that needed filling they would do it.

The reason Im on illness is for anxiety and depression, my original family doctor put me on it but he's gone now and this new guy has taken over for him. Im sure everything is on his file though as this has been an ongoing problem for years now.

Nothing has really changed for me in those two years, I attend a public mental health clinic but waiting times are enormous and every meeting I attend I talk to someone new so its hard to make any headway, I was supposed to be getting counseling but again it never came to fruition.

I don't no what to do, is it likely i'll even get it if I go for it? the alternative is to return to jobseekers but I no that will end in disaster eventually, I had to be signed off a last course I was doing due to stress and anxiety.

SourSessions

It's a hard payment to get but if it's going to keep you outside of the work force for at least a year, you should apply. Have as much medical evidence as possible and include a letter from yourself describing how your condition/s affect you every day. It's a notoriously long application period for a decision and most people seem to be refused the first time and have to appeal. Since you're coming up on your time on illness benefit, you should look into supplementary welfare allowance while you're waiting on a decision.

Teacher45

shadow1990 wrote: »

I've been on illness benefit coming up to two years now and i recently got a letter saying disability allowance would be a more appropriate claim at this stage, I rang my doctor about what to do but didn't really get any advise, he basically just said it was up to me on what I did and if there was anything medical on the form that needed filling they would do it.

The reason Im on illness is for anxiety and depression, my original family doctor put me on it but he's gone now and this new guy has taken over for him. Im sure everything is on his file though as this has been an ongoing problem for years now.

Nothing has really changed for me in those two years, I attend a public mental health clinic but waiting times are enormous and every meeting I attend I talk to someone new so its hard to make any headway, I was supposed to be getting counseling but again it never came to fruition.

I don't no what to do, is it likely i'll even get it if I go for it? the alternative is to return to jobseekers but I no that will end in disaster eventually, I had to be signed off a last course I was doing due to stress and anxiety.

I hope your anxiety and depression are not too bad. I am dealing with the same issues. Invalidity pension is also another possibility if you had been working prior to your diagnosis. It is not means tested and is based on PRSI contributions. Disability Allowance is means tested. Collect as much medical evidence as you can from your Doctors Clinic. Look for all reports, prescriptions, etc, also try and get as much information from the public mental health clinic as possible. Even a letter from that course you mention saying you couldn't complete it due to depression and anxiety. Detail your struggle and history as much as possible. A personal letter of course is vitally important. Go through your job/course and explain how difficult it has been for you. The more detail the better. Hope you get sorted!

Teacher45

Also, I'm sorry to hear you are not getting the treatment you deserve.

Just a few tips to help you get free treatment or low cost options. Please God they might be of help. I know you have probably heard this a lot before.

1. Exercise - try to get as much as possible.
2. Diet - Look into this as much as you can. Do a bit of searching online.
3. CBT - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - A very good self help workbook.

A good book on Amazon - 'Retrain Your Brain: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in 7 Weeks: A Workbook for Managing Depression and Anxiety'

4. Meditation - The headspace app is an excellent resource. Daily meditation can help a lot.
5. Counselling - Look into any free options. There are some there.

I'm no expert. I'm still have severe anxiety but these are the main things that are scientifically proven to help.
Medication is important too, but it definitely is not the only answer.

I sincerely hope things work out for you. All the best.