Freaking out over DA

I applied in Early June and got my refusal last week. On Monday I went to the GP and got a letter confirming my condition. I decided to post here because while I'm familiar with and active on /r/ireland, they are extremely critical for the most part of people on Social Welfare payments. My condition is MDD and I've been treated for the last 12 months with Lexapro, Prozac, and now Trintellix. Trintellix has anti-psychotic properties too. I thought about it, and I don't mind people hearing what the doctor had to say on the letter, because quite frankly, I need all the help I can get.

The letter reads:

"I can confirm that this young man has very genuine symptoms of depression. He has been attending Virginia Surgery for the last twelve months, and has been treated with antidepressants and remains on medication. He has had a number of adverse life events contributing to his depression. He has made suicidal attempts. His symptoms have caused a negative effect on his education and put him at a further disadvantage. He is not eligible for counselling in Primary Care because he does not have a medical card. I can confirm his symptoms are very genuine and I support his application for Disability Allowance."

I suppose my question is will this actually mean anything? Or help in any way?

I sent away in an envelope, a copy of this letter, the appeal forms, a personal letter, and the refusal letter that I'm required to send anyway.

Thanks in advance for any help.

SourSessions

The more documentation the better - so if you've only seen for your MDD is your GP, that's obviously the only letter you're going to get. The personal letter can be very important - outlining how you live with your condition day-to-day, minute-to-minute and how how it affects your ability to work.

So yes, all documentation is helpful!

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117740121#Comment_117740121

I sincerely hope it works out. I really need it to. My upkeep is costing my parents a significant amount of money, and I have no PRSI contributions, so illness benefit goes out the window.

SourSessions

Best of luck. Can you go to the community welfare officer in the meantime?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117740455#Comment_117740455

I assume you mean for the Supplementary Welfare Allowance? I wouldn't sign on for that. God knows when I'd be able to pay it back.

SourSessions

You don't pay it back. It gets paid back from arrears if your payment is approved.

Oh. So would my lack of PRSI contributions affect me at all?

SourSessions

No, you'd just be subject to a means test but that doesn't look at PRSI.

Alright, thanks a million.

SourSessions

Best of luck

Dempo1

OP, it's important to understand the level of initial refusal is extremely high so don't dispair. There are many reasons for initial refusal, some hard to comprehend.

As others have said, the more documentation you have the better. You don't mention if you have ever been reffered to a specialist beyond your GP and if you have, details of that treatment and indeed additional letter would help.

The Appeals process is handled by an appeals officer and they tend to be more diligent in looking at all the evidence so just understand an initial refusal, not at all unusual.

Re SWA, whilst worth applying for, it is means tested, I'm assuming your living at home so this will be factored in, it basically means you'll get perhaps a lower rate but at least its a small income until appeals processed. It is not repayable but will be deducted if and when DA approved, from arrears. Also worth noting, if DA approved, its back dated from date of original application. Finally, it's well documented that it can take a few months for a final approval of DA, I've seen examples of up to 6 months, I'm not suggesting this will happen in your case but just wanted to point out it can take time.

Remain positive 😉

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117741056#Comment_117741056

I understand that. It's just disheartening to read that I'm not "substantially restricted from seeking appropriate work." If that was the case, I wouldn't have applied. I've been drugged to the gills over the last year, and I'm not making this crap up for the sake of achieving some easy money.

I haven't seen anyone else RE specialist. But the only reason why is...money. I don't have it.

I'm printing off the the SWA forms now. I'm not overly enthusiastic about the situation though. I just don't see the DA working out at this stage.

One thing about the SWA forms I did find unusual though was the fact that they can't be sent off in the post? I have to go to the local intreo centre or something which would require public transport. More money that I don't have.

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117741354#Comment_117741354

OP, unfortunately SWA has to be applied for through local intero Centre as this payment is over seen by community welfare officers.

Honestly the price of a bus should not deter you, perhaps a family member, friend could give you a lift?

Be sure to have all necessary documentation but also check opening times as they vary due to pandemic. If at all possible (and maybe be not) call the centre and see if they are doing appointments or just walk in"s.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117741390#Comment_117741390

Yep, I'll have to get a lift from someone. Filling out the forms now anyway. Will ring in a bit to see what their walk in situation is. Thanks.

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117741417#Comment_117741417

Good, I know its easy to get frustrated, honestly getting the process started is the hardest part but in the long term its the best thing to do in your situation.

Just as a final thought and obviously I don't fully understand your situation, age etc, but have you considered at least applying for a medical card? You may not qualify for full card but maybe GP visit card. I'd certainly consider looking at this and your GP seems supportive, look at the qualifying criteria, just felt it might be worth exploring.

I looked into it yesterday, and they want to know about my current income, which obviously is pointless filling in if the stars align and I do get approved for DA.

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117741510#Comment_117741510

OK, when you get SWA sorted then I'd strongly advise looking at a medical card application the fact you have little or no income is actually a reason for applying for a MD, coupled with having a requirement for prescription medicines. Your GP will assist by way of filling in their section of the MD form.

Good luck

Thanks. I was on my way to Intreo centre just now. Missed the bus. Just gets better and better. I'll head out again tomorrow.

Update on DA:

Initial application sent out on 30/06/2021

Received by SW on 15/07/2021

Refused on 29/07/2021

Received letter *telling me* I was refused on 06/08/2021

Got a letter from doc explaining severity of mental issues and appealed on 09/08/2021

Received confirmation of appeal receipt today 08/09/2021

Clearly I got "Early June" wrong in my initial post. My head is just all over the place.

Will see how long it takes from here. I wish there was a breakdown explaining the typical wait times.

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117864381#Comment_117864381

Thanks for update, try to be patient, at least you know its been looked at, are you getting any payment while your waiting , if you don't mind me asking.

Yeah no worries. I just figured the timeline might be useful for someone.

Don't mind at all. I'm not getting anything from the SW. I applied for SWA but was refused 7 days after. I consulted the intreo centre beforehand asking how long my bank statement had to be as well as a couple of other Q's. She said 1 month is fine, and when the refusal letter came in, I was told 1 month wasn't sufficient.

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117864627#Comment_117864627

Surely I would not leave the swa refusal at that, can you supply longer statements, how long have you had a bank account , I'd certainly not just leave it at that

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117864677#Comment_117864677

That wasn't even the lot. My ID wasn't good enough either. I photocopied my passport and that wasn't good enough.

I've had my bank account since roughly October last year, and I can get a longer statement. But I just binned the papers. I was given the wrong information and my ID wasn't sufficient for some reason that I wasn't told. I've had to jump through enough of the SW's flaming hoops already.

Probably very hot-headed of me, but the whiole DA and SWA situation has annoyed me to no end.

Wanderer78

holy mother of Devine god, our welfare and health care systems are wrecked, this story is disturbing to read, no person in such a situation should be subjected to this treatment/ op you need support, not resistance from our systems, this is disturbing. has your gp recommended any methods of help and support for you?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117864787#Comment_117864787

I've been to the GP 11 times since this time last year for medication changes, dosage changes, and most recently the letter that I needed to back my DA claim. So that's €500 in doctors fees, and roughly €290 on meds. Should be €550 but the last doctor I saw took genuine pity on me and didn't charge for the session. I was also referred to a psychiatrist numerous times.

On Monday I had my first psych session which was about an hour and a half long.

Wanderer78

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117864822#Comment_117864822

well at least the ball is rolling in regards attending to your psychological needs, it maybe a long road, but it will be worth it, best of luck with it. theres plenty of online help groups, many of them free, might be worth also checking out

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117864990#Comment_117864990

Thanks, appreciate that.

Phoned SWA this morning. I'll be waiting "a matter of months..."

Final update on DA:

Initial application sent out on 30/06/2021

Received by SW on 15/07/2021

Refused on 29/07/2021

Received letter telling me I was refused on 06/08/2021

Got a letter from doc explaining severity of mental issues and appealed on 09/08/2021

Received confirmation of appeal receipt today 08/09/2021

Today received letter from 14/10/21 informing me that I have won my appeal

No info on expected payment dates, so I'll wait and see.

Grab All Association

Within one to two months. I know someone who won an appeal on November 13 2018 and got their payment late January. You've won the appeal and will be awarded the payment back to your original application date.

Tip for anyone reading this, ask for a face to face medical assessment. Civil servants reading doctors isn't a medical assessment. They usually fold after this and someone more qualified looks at the evidence.

You'll need to go get your PSC for your free travel. Book an appointment at the local intreo office

SourSessions

Well done OP! I hope this eases your burden somewhat and you can focus on your health.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118047499#Comment_118047499

No two ways about it. Will be in a much better position now!

SourSessions

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118047595#Comment_118047595

I don't know if you owe anyone money from this time you've been waiting but if possible I would recommend trying to save your arrears in a credit union or something like that. It's something I wish I did. It's easy to see it get flittered away. Or something I did do, paid off my bills for x amount of months so if I ever found myself in a tight spot, I had some leeway.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118048022#Comment_118048022

Yeah I have one or two people to pay off, nothing major mind you. Will get that sorted first, then the rest goes somewhere else.

Dempo1

Well done, it was a long process and hopefully you can now focus on your health with one less stressful thing to worry about in your life, Best wishes 🙂

Payment starting tomorrow!

Sorry to ask a question under here, but I don't want to create unnecessary threads. This travel pass thingy, do I have to apply for that as well? Or will that eventually arrive on it's own? I ask because, I'm not an OAP, and am only entitled to the pass because of the DA claim.

banie01

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118141667#Comment_118141667

AFAIK a new PSC card with the FTA appended will issue you to once the award of DA or other qualifying payment is confirmed. One of the wiser heads may be able to confirm/correct? In my own case when IP was awarded the new PSC issued automatically.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118141667#Comment_118141667

should just get it when your PSC arrives, but no harm to pop into an intreo and grab a temporary card, they should be able to sort one for you while you're waiting

Appreciate it folks. I have to head into the town tomorrow anyway, so I'll pop into the intreo centre then.

SourSessions

Depends on if you already have a PSC already! You'll need to apply if you've never had one before

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118142289#Comment_118142289

I do not. I'll look into that then. Thanks!