Disability Allowance waiting times/info

PeterB11

Hello all,

I have applied for DA on the 17th of November. 2 weeks later, I received a letter back requesting bank statements from a country I had lived abroad in. I have sent them all the documentation, bank statements and everything requested in the letter. I have emailed DA in Longford, as to which their reply was I will be given the decision in writing once the Officer has made their decision.

How long can this take? I've heard stories of up to a year, heard stories of 10 weeks. It's now week 11 since I've had the form stamped by the doctor and sent, as I am in a situation where it's pretty much badly needed right now, I'm not sure I can take a rejection, and then having to appeal, which could ultimately end up being another 3-6 months.

Has anyone recently went through the application process and how long did it take for a decision and/or did you get rejected initially how long did the appeal take to be decided?

Thank you all in advance!

Dempo1

Hi, if you look through a few threads on this forum you will see it can be a very long process, some times months, it's also important to prepare for a possible rejection as this happens frequently with initial application, its only on appeal your case gets more scrutiny and a case officer assigned to look at all the medical evidence you have supplied.

I noticed you mentioned your GP has stamped the application, was there any additional medical information submitted, letter from your GP, consultant letter, hospital correspondence etc. From various other people's experiences and who've gone through the process, the more information submitted the better. It is extremely important if your application is rejected, you appeal.

You also mentioned a request for a bank statement from were you lived previously, obviously anything can be requested and you don't mention how long you've lived in Ireland but it seems like an odd request, did you submit Irish bank statements 🤔

Finally , we're you not in a position to claim illness benefit in the mean time or SWA whilst your awaiting a decision, are you in receipt of any income at the moment 🤔 you should be able to claim a temporary payment whilst waiting for a decision.

Others may join the discussion and offer additional advice.

PeterB11

Thank you very much for your detailed reply.

I have been abroad for a few years (Irish citizen) and my dad fell ill in the summer, so I returned home. Whilst I was away (before the summer) I was also diagnosed with depression and anxiety in around May of 2021. I had also been diagnosed with this in 2012 by my current GP who had referred me to a psychiatrist but this information was only given to the DA department by way of me mentioning this in my personal letter that I had included when sending my Irish/EU bank statements (1 Irish, 1 EU).

I returned to Ireland, already having been out of work for months due to my worsening condition, and called back into my GP to basically catch up and bring him up to speed on the past few years, where he had actually upped my medication which I was originally prescribed in May 2021.

When I send the bank statements back on Dec 14th, in my letter I had included information that I had been diagnosed with this condition before, and it has currently got to the state where I had to leave my job. I outlined I am on medication, and that I am in no position to pay for a psychiatrist. I was living off what little I had saved up until recently, where now I'm actually a burden on my family.

I have no income at the moment, and I haven't applied for benefit anywhere else.

I'm just wondering is there any way I can find out or get an update on my application? The emails to DA in Longford tended to not get replied to, and when it did, just that there was no timeline they can give. I'm at my wits end hoping I'll get accepted here so I can move forward and get the help I need, right now my medication is quite expensive, and that's only prescriptions from my GP, without actually being able to seek other help.

Any ideas/info/help appreciated!

Thank you all.

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118566793#Comment_118566793

I sorry you've gone through all of this but as a matter of urgency you really need to go to a local intero centre and speak to a CWO , They'll be able to check you've applied for DA and might be able to award you SWA in the interim.

As for getting an update on your DA application, I'm not aware there is away other than calling the Illness Benefit section but they may just give you the normal, it's being processed.

Immediate priority is checking out your local Intero centre and urgently chat to a CWO. Also I'd be considering applying for a medical card , it is means tested but worth checking out , if awarded it will help with Meds and perhaps a referral to a consultant albeit a long waiting list .

PeterB11

Thank you for your reply. I have a Welfare Inspector interview next week before the report is sent to the deciding officer, was only contacted today regarding it, so now I must still actually wait for the decision. God knows how long that will take! Does anyone know what I will be asked during the interview? Of course with my mind state I'm convinced I won't get it, even though I'm in dire need of help atm. If anyone has been through similar please let me know, would like to know what they will want from me. They said it's usually a house call but due to covid it can't be. I do live here, if that's what they want to know. Thank you all!

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118582311#Comment_118582311

I've not had the experience of an inspector interview but I'd look at this as a positive in the sense they want to meet you, discuss your situation, application etc. My only concern will be how to handle the likely question on how you are surviving with no income , means etc so be prepared for this .Also have to hand any supporting documentation, prescriptions you might be on, approach it like a face to face application as such. The inspector will be sensitive given they'll have looked at your application, just be brutally honest and remain as focused as possible (I know , not easy )

I'd also use the opportunity to ask if there are supports you can apply for whilst waiting on a decision. I can not reiterate enough a final decision is going to take weeks and may require an appeal, you urgently need to apply for financial support and a medical card ASAP ,do not wait for a decision on your DA application as it could take up to two months, maybe quicker but certainly many weeks .

PeterB11

Thank you very much for your reply.

Yes, I have mentioned in my personal letter to them how I am managing, but I'll also tell the inspector over the phone, I'm just depleted a little, after being waiting for three months for any word from them and now knowing I need to wait possibly the same length for a rejection is really disheartening. I will go through with the appeal if needs be but it's exhausting. Thank you very much, and I'll update on here as I go, just incase it helps anybody else in the same situation as I am in.

PeterB11

Hello all,

So the interview was as expected a lot of questions about savings if any, land owned, property etc, warnings of not being successful and my other options, which I said the other options are not for me hence going for this. I emailed the DA office in Longford, they said a decision has been issued and I should know in a few days, I'm not too optimistic about, pretty sure I'll have to appeal it. God knows how long I'll have to wait for that and even if it will be accepted or not. I can't tell you how much stress has been added over the past few months on top of the condition, but I'm sure I'm not near the end of the process for my health or for the DA. I will update once the letter has been received, and I will keep updating along the way during the appeal process to allow others in a similar situation to see too.

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118611158#Comment_118611158

Fingers crossed but definitely apply for SWA in the interim , it is means tested but you should be entitled to something which will take a little financial pressure off.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118611158#Comment_118611158

Fingers crossed no appeal is needed, but it took 4 months for me.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118611158#Comment_118611158

If you ring them I believe they will tell you what the outcome is over the phone. They just can’t/won’t over email for data protection. But they’ll run through a quick verification on the phone and will usually (in my experience anyway) be happy to let you know. At least you don’t have to sit with your hands crossed nervously waiting for the post!

Wanderer78

the process of application is just disturbing at this stage, theres a reason why folks apply for it, and they have support from their gp, it shouldnt be this hard!

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118614559#Comment_118614559

It really is alarming so of the stories I've seen across various Threads. Obviously there's additional medical checks required, verifications etc but surely 4 months and more is unacceptable and yet we have Michael Mc Grath on the airwaves today under some illusion people struggling just have to pop into their local intero centre for support 🙄 completely out of touch with reality.

PeterB11

Thank you all for your replies and comments, I have not qualified and have been reject, on the basis apparently I'm not suffering from any illness or disease and I am deemed suitable for work. It's horrendous, after three months of stress and no joy, I just feel defeated. If I was able to work I would be, that surely is the best option, but I can't. Not sure if I can keep going in to get the SWA if I'm even accepted for that as I have no access to transport being in the countryside, honestly I feel like this country has let me down among the many other citizens it leaves down. I will appeal, and unsure if I'll even get that, I had supporting documents from my doctor but will request more, in-depth. I'm not sure I can handle another 4 months of waiting, I can't even pay for medical care and I am borrowing to pay for my medication. It's absolutely disgraceful to be honest and I don't know what to do about it. Any suggestions welcome, thank you all in advance.

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118615213#Comment_118615213

I'm truly sorry to hear this but it's important to now consider the next step. Firstly yes, appeal but I believe you may need to speak to your GP who has your full medical history and may be able to put a report or letter together.

I would then look at applying for JSA or SWA but keep in mind, both means tested and JSA will require you to be looking for work and referral to job activation schemes. A letter from your GP and an oppointment with the local CWO might be the best approach.

Others may have better advice and I'm just sorry your in this awful situation

PeterB11

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118615256#Comment_118615256

Thank you for your kind words and support. It's shocking to be honest, even on the letter it says although the medical evidence shows some level of incapacity, it does not show substantial restriction to finding work. It's a joke, honestly.

On another note of looking forward, is getting SWA into the bank an option? I'm not sure if it's a weekly thing to go in there, I'm very far from my nearest bus and I'm not quite sure I can get a lift in there every week, although I can try.

Also it says I can apply for a 'review' with the deciding officer, an appeal elsewhere or both.

Which would you suggest?

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118615298#Comment_118615298

Just remain positive. A quick glance of the SWA application suggests you can nominate bank payment but a recent announcement that jobseekers payment's will be PO collection only may puy a damper on this, however as its not technically a Jobseekers payment, the CWO May, if approved permit bank payment but I can not say for sure, either way 😉

PeterB11

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118615342#Comment_118615342

Thank you, you've been great help and support, I mean that. I'll just move forward now and play the hand I'm dealt and see if I can get any results with that. Thank you very much :)

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118615355#Comment_118615355

No problem but also try to reach out to organisations, citizen information etc for additional support.

PeterB11

There is an option for review and appeal, would a review be quicker if I gave them more evidence from my doctor?

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118615551#Comment_118615551

I don't honestly know , from what I've seen on the forum, whilst appeal takes longer, it's more thorough and a case officer assigned to review the application. A review suggests may involve a glance over and rubber stamping the original decision. Hopefully someone more experienced with this might come on to advise, but my guess is an appeal the better option

Cherry Blossom

You can ask for a review and an appeal. Apply for both now as both are time sensitive, don’t wait for the results of one to apply for the other. Have you seen any consultants about your illness? They like to see letters from consultants.

PeterB11

Great advice, I'll reply to both. I have, I will get further documentation to back up my claim. Thank you Cherry Blossom!

best of luck with the appeal/review! Very sorry to hear you had an unfavourable decision but it does seem to be they reject a large number at first and change their mind on appeal.

mystic

You should appeal the decision in writing within 21 days. I would advise you to write a comprehensive letter stating how your illness affects your daily life from the time you get up to bedtime. Include details of how all aspects of your life are affected, especially your ability to work. Also include medical reports from your doctor. Always ask for an oral hearing as it gives you the opportunity to explain your situation in person. You are allowed to bring someone with you, if needed.

After the appeal is registered it will be sent back to the DA section who will review the decision based on the information provided in your appeal. Some decisions are revised at this stage If it's still a negative decision they prepare a submission for the Appeals Office and an Appeals Officer will make a decision.

You can apply for Supplementary Welfare Allowance pending the DA appeal.

One of the important things to do when appealing a decision is to request your file under FOI and you will be able to see what the Department's Medical Assessors opinions were. You can ask your own doctor to refute their opinions and give you a letter confirming your illness. This can take 28 days so get the appeal in first. You can always send in additional information as it becomes available.

Hope this helps.

PeterB11

Hello everyone,

I haven't posted in a while as the only update I have was that I made an appeal and sent for a review, and I was waiting for ages for my doctor to provide a supporting letter, which I collected yesterday and sent out both letters.

i have since applied for and received SWA so that's something, thanks to you good people for helping me out here! I forgot to mention in my appeal regarding the SWA that I'm in receipt of it, but they could probably know this somehow anyway.

I am wondering my chances of success at this rate, as I'm quite worried over it now :(

Either way, i will update on here as I get more information.

Thank you all!

Dempo1

I'm delighted you took the advice and decision to apply for SWA , it at least allows you a basic income whilst waiting a decision on the appeal.

Obviously no one can answer what the result of an appeal will be , only time will tell but the additional information your GP has supplied can only help.

Remain positive, keep us posted 😏

PeterB11

Hey everyone,

As promised, I'll update - but with no significant news. I emailed the Appeals Dept., and they have said my appeal has been withdrawn on the basis of a 'revised decision' by the DA, what do they mean by this, does this mean my application for the review has overturned my original rejection, or does it mean it's been rejected again and my appeal has lost? I'm so confused and stressed. No idea what any of this means. In normal terms, a revised decision would mean change of mind, but, this isn't normal terms and everything is vague when it comes to getting answers from them. Also, since the appeal has been 'withdrawn' by DA due to a revision, if the revised outcome is still a rejection, can I appeal again? Such a long, drawn out, stressful headache.

Thank you! Will keep you posted, but if anyone has any information, I'd greatly appreciate it!

Cherry Blossom

It sounds to me that the outcome of the review is that your DA has been allowed. Otherwise your appeal would still be active. Congrats.

PeterB11

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118909676#Comment_118909676

Do you think so? Thank you, I have emailed them too, but I'm sure we all know how that goes.. I really hope so - I've provided my doctors letter etc, so you reckon a revised decision in this case means it's been overturned, appeal withdrawn and I'll get confirmation? Thank you for advising me to make a review as well as an appeal, by the way, it the right thing to do. I'll keep you all informed either way, fingers crossed.

Wanderer78

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118909676#Comment_118909676

i certainly hope thats what it means, but this needs to be clearly communicated to the op from the department, this is simply just a disturbing process for people in such situations