JSA, Disability, and Illness

Nobelissimus

Hi there,

I was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in spring and intended to apply for Disability Allowance while I work with a psychiatrist to resolve my issues. I'm in my 20s and have severe OCD and anxiety, and I hoped it would give me time to work on my issues while also undertaking a level 9 degree, which I intend to apply for next year. I finished a level 8 during the summer and was on BTEA until then, after which I switched to JSA. I was rejected for Disability and let the appeal period slide as I didn't think it would make any difference.

Before I graduated, I was put in touch with an employment service called Skillsteam. I'm changing medications at the moment and it has been very difficult, so a job is the last thing on my mind. I've also had severe cardiac issues since March which cause daily attacks of muscle weakness, extreme fatigue, palpitations, and various angina-like symptoms. These have worsened since then. I've had scans which have confirmed there is nothing structurally wrong with my heart (But not necessarily the arteries - see Variant Angina for more information), but the issue is unresolved. The cardiologists I've seen can't seem to figure it out. I had an event monitor for a week, but nothing happened at the time. I've been to A&E four times, but it takes so long to get onto an ECG that my symptoms are gone by the time they get to me. I'm on a beta blocker, and have been since March, but while they do help, they're not enough to fully suppress the symptoms.

These issues, on top of changing medications, have left me semi-incapacitated (A level of incapacitation was identified when I applied for Disability, but that was in relation to autism, not physical health). I've explained my situation to Skillsteam, including my autism diagnosis, my mental health issues, and my cardiac issues, but because I'm on JSA, they're pushing me to get into full time work as quickly as possible. I'm unsure what to do at this stage. Physically, I don't think I'd be able for part time work let alone full time. It was hard enough getting through my last semester, and I was only in one day a week. When I say "extreme fatigue," I mean I sleep 14 hours, wake up semi-exhausted, and have to go to sleep again within six or seven hours of getting up. When the muscle weakness happens, I don't get a choice, I have to lie down. It was mentioned on my Disability application that I am undergoing investigation for cardiac issues, but I don't believe they know how badly it has been affecting me. The issue is not related to my medication. When the issue started, I was on the same dose as I have been for the last seven years. I also came off it fully for four weeks and it made no difference.

What can I do in this situation? Is there any recourse for someone who has multiple diagnoses and potentially a serious health issue, but was rejected? Should I apply for Disability again and get a different doctor to fill out the forms? Could I even apply again so soon?

I had a look at Illness Benefit, but I've been in university for the past several years and have no PRSI contributions.

Dempo1

I'm so sorry for your predictiment and sadly it's all to common were people are caught between two conflicting state benifits, one requiring you to be seeking employment regardless of your health status, the other that can take months to get approval on, in addition, people are further penalised for applying for an illness benifit /allowance by way of having a jobseekers payment suspended or closed if they apply for an illness related payment whilst on JSA

Your not specific on your age but my advice is assuming you are over 24, this is important from a means testing point of view and eligibility re Basic SWA.

It's quite clear you would have ample reasons and health conditions to apply for DA which as you are Aware requires substantial evidence and reports, unfortunately your mistake (and understandable) was failing to follow through with an appeal as it is commonly known, initial DA claims are declined and only thouraghly reviewed on appeal. There may be still evidence, notes on your file re previous DA application, which might help speed up application but I can't say for sure it will. Regardless an new application required.

At a minimum you now need to re apply for DA with all and any medical reports, GP/ Consultants letters etc. What is likely to happen will be you'll have your JSA suspended or closed, when and if this happens, immediately apply for basic SWA, also means tested but will give you some breathing space whilst DA application is being processed and possibly appealled. I would essentially get everything in place re documents and DA form, send and then approach the department about your decision. There was a time some flexibility was shown but it seems very black and white now and if your not seeking employment your JSA will be stopped once the department recieve the DA application. My hope would be by approaching the department and explaining your genuine circumstances, they might speed up a transition to a BSWA payment and perhaps note your medical situation and need to apply for DA.

I'm basing the above guidence on observations of others experience, others on Boards may have more definitive advice and experience but the crux of your problem is lack of PRSI contributions whereby had you enough, you could apply for illness benefit and whilst on that, apply without being penalised whilst you apply for DA.

Might I also advise you contact citizens information, explain the situation and they might be able to offer additional advice.

I wish you well and hopefully others can offer more advice. Link below re BSWA.

"Supplementary Welfare Allowance" https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/supplementary_welfare_schemes/supplementary_welfare_allow.html

Nobelissimus

Thank you for your excellent and detailed response. I'll get my psychiatrist and my GP to fill out the forms again and appeal it when I can.

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118049749#Comment_118049749

Your welcome, I'm no expert but have been doing some research myself, good luck 👍

Wanderer78

im autistic myself, just be aware, Skillsteam are a part of the seetec/turas nua group, this is an astonishingly bad approach to dealing with unemployment, particularly in relation to autism, ive met a couple of people on the spectrum that have had the 'pleasure'. this group may in fact not care one bit what pieces of evidence you bring to them regarding your health, i know someone that was certified sick from their doctor, long term, and they wouldnt even accept this, saying that the cert wasnt eligible in that environment. this group is effectively paid when they move people off the live register, and they ll do anything to do that. do whatever you need to do, to get away from them asap, lean on your health professionals to do this, they ll more than likely make your health issues far worse, some of which maybe linked to your elevated levels of anxiety.

also just be aware, some elements of our public health system are extremely poor in regards their understanding of autism, and how it can cause serious physical health issues, particularly in relation to anxiety, but this is improving, its just something to be aware of . as dempo explained, please reapply for da asap, again lean on your health professionals for guidance in doing this. i obtain supports from disability services that specialise in autism, im based in the south east, im aware theres other organisations around the country that offer similar supports, sometimes these organisations can offer supports when applying for da, as mine does. maybe contact the below organisations for further advice

https://autism.ie/

https://asiam.ie/

https://www.asdireland.ie/

theres probably many other orgainsations around the country, that maybe able to guide you through this process, google will reveal others...

id be grateful if you could keep us informed of your progress, as i can relay it back to services, i obviously wont reveal personal info, but we need to keep an eye on whats happening out there regarding autism, services tend to be very disjointed, so information can be very patchy across the country, regarding these issues, resulting in the poor services

id also recommend the work of clinical psychologist tony attwood, for further information regarding autism

best of luck