carer's allowance wait time?

endofrainbow · 18-06-2012 1:41pm #1

tried posting to another thread but it has been closed - does anyone have an update as to the current wait time for carer's allowance?

I'm onto week 25 since my application went in> anyone know what month they are currently working on?

LegacyUser · 18-06-2012 11:05pm

September and its taking 6 or 7 weeks to get through a month.

mrsbyrne · 19-06-2012 7:19am

i spoke to carers on friday last week, they were working on september 2011.

Jasssss · 22-06-2012 3:19pm

I'm waiting 20 weeks now.Can anyone give me some advice.At the moment I am struggling while waiting on this.I know there is an option to go to our social welfare office but my husband is working and I have been told that this officer will not entertain me.I am already thinking about getting books,school uniforms etc.Would I be able to apply for the back to school allowance even tough I am still waiting for the carers allowance.I fit the means test but have to be in receipt of a social welfare payment which I am still waiting to find out if I got.

aileach · 26-06-2012 1:30pm

I applied at the end of september 2011 and got my refusal letter this week

- now the long wait of review/appeal - I am so frustrated.

endofrainbow · 02-07-2012 2:45pm

update anyone?

Jasssss · 02-07-2012 6:33pm

No, I have heard nothing but I am a couple of weeks behind you.This is a terrible situation to be in.The carers must have the longest waiting time out of all the benefits.You really have to sit tight and wait but it is so hard because no-one else will wait for their money when we have to cough up for our bills.Please god I hope it is soon.

Jasssss · 02-07-2012 6:35pm

No, I have heard nothing but I am a couple of weeks behind you.This is a terrible situation to be in.The carers must have the longest waiting time out of all the benefits.You really have to sit tight and wait but it is so hard because no-one else will wait for their money when we have to cough up for our bills.Please god I hope it is soon.Oh Ailreach I am so sorry to hear you were refused but try and keep going and get your appeal in.

Tipperary animal lover · 02-07-2012 7:34pm

Hi all, I had to give my job up in jan of this year as I had to become my partners carer due to illness. I applied for carers middle of January and I know I'm in a long line of people waiting, the bit of savings we had is gone so my question is I'm on benifit(€188) what will I get(if I get it) on carers or am I wasting time and try to get back into part time work.my partner is in bed 15/17hours a day and when he's up needs help to do everything!! If anybody can tell me in black and white thank you as I don't understand the carers website.

finni S · 05-07-2012 1:43am

i was on carers benefit for 2 years after my mother had a stroke and lots of other ailments, i got this for 2 years which ended november 2011,in ocotober 2011 the carers benefit section sent me the carers allowance form to fill in which i did,and sent it away on october 23 2011 AND i still dont know if i qualify or not! How hard can it be to tell people yes or no? My mother is older and sicker and can do nothing for herself or walk anywhere so why torture me for so long? I am so tired of ringing the social welfare carers section you could ring 4/5 times a day waiting for hours while it rings out or as is lately doesnt ring at all.

endofrainbow · 05-07-2012 3:30pm

Just spoke with Carer's Association and their reports back are that the wait time for a decision is 9 months. Someone in their office spoke with Carer's Allowance section this morning who advised that they were working on September 2011.

When I spoke with Carer's Allowance Section in mid April, I was told that they were working on September 2011. I'm starting to think that they may have been instructed to advise callers of this so that anything less than 9 months will be seen as a bonus....

Jasssss · 05-07-2012 4:56pm

fINNI, You would think that because you were already getting the carer's benefit that it would nearly transfer over to the allowance providing your means satisfied their criteria.You should not be required to wait like this again.Also I dont know what month the department are saying they are on because I have given up calling them however, the minister for social protection and family affairs is quoting 28 weeks on average per case when being asked by TD'S representing their constituent's.

finni S · 05-07-2012 9:56pm

Jasssss,you would think you would just transfare from one to the other but oh no it couldnt possibly be that simple,carers allowance is for the long term and carers benefit the short term,(2 years is short term!)I like most people waiting i am at my wits end a return bus ticket to the mater hospital is 18.50 i have paid that 3 times this month.The worst thing is as i didnt return to work after the carers benefit ran out my job is gone, i mean why did they send me the application form to fill in.

Jasssss · 08-07-2012 11:25am

Finni, what if you got in touch with your local TD and explained your situation.The fact that you were already getting carers has to count for something. I mean the only difference really is the fact that this is means tested which should not take the department this long to check .Have you been cut off carers since oct 2011.

finni S · 08-07-2012 11:21pm

yes, i have been without carers since october,i ring them every week,on friday they said its with the supervisor and they are only on septembers applications.Its just crazy,my mother has had a stroke,rhuematic fever, 2 mechanical heart valves,on warfarin ,irregular heart beat, sky high blood pressure, gout , heart and lung disease, her conditions only get worse as she gets older, she doesnt do anything or cant walk anywhere .I did o to my TD but have to hear back yet.

Jasssss · 11-07-2012 7:26am

Finni, I hope you get an answer quickly.I only applied in feb and I am climbing the walls at the moment with this wait.Has anyone else heard anything.

endofrainbow · 11-07-2012 10:03am

I just spoke with Carer's Allowance Section - they are currently working on October 2011 so hopefully my claim will be sorted sooner , rather than later.

Jasssss · 11-07-2012 11:34am

Endofrainbow do you mind me asking are you caring for an adult or a child.I'm caring for a child and I thought that because I did not need the medical section on the form filled out my application would be quicker.But it does not seem to make a difference.I cannot believe that the wait is this long.It is an absolute disgrace.Surely someone can intervene and sort this mess out.

endofrainbow · 11-07-2012 11:47am

I don't think it makes a difference time-wise who you are caring for, applications appear to be done by date received regardless of circumstances.

I am caring for a 90 year old and while I understand each case is different, I do think it's the fairest way - frustrating yes, but who would decide who gets priority over anyone else?

I would imagine a priority system would lead to even further delays. Guy I spoke to this morning indicated that the average wait time is 30 weeks - I am 29 weeks tomorrow - not much more I can do than grin and bear it.

Linda dub · 12-07-2012 1:28pm

endofrainbow wrote: »

I don't think it makes a difference time-wise who you are caring for, applications appear to be done by date received regardless of circumstances.

I am caring for a 90 year old and while I understand each case is different, I do think it's the fairest way - frustrating yes, but who would decide who gets priority over anyone else?

I would imagine a priority system would lead to even further delays. Guy I spoke to this morning indicated that the average wait time is 30 weeks - I am 29 weeks tomorrow - not much more I can do than grin and bear it.

Thats strange that they still work on september as i applied 13 sept 2011 and got refusal letter may 16 which was almost two months ago surely cant take thm that long to get thru rest month .... The mind boggles...... im almost 7 weeks waiting on reveiw of this decision .... 36 weeks wait decision and alltogether 44 weeks so think almost a year is prob wait time at this stage!!!

Jasssss · 13-07-2012 12:11pm

Hi Linda its great to see you back on again,yes I dont know why some people are still waiting from that far back.I have seen responses to TD'S from the Minister for NOVEMBER.Maybe they need extra info.In my last post I was only try to find out if it would be quicker for my application because the medical had already gone to a doctor in the dept,I would not want to be skipping anyone after all we are all in the same boat.Linda I dont think the review will take much longer for you I will keep my fingers crossed.

endofrainbow · 13-07-2012 3:34pm

Linda dub wrote: »

Thats strange that they still work on september as i applied 13 sept 2011 and got refusal letter may 16 which was almost two months ago surely cant take thm that long to get thru rest month .... The mind boggles...... im almost 7 weeks waiting on reveiw of this decision .... 36 weeks wait decision and alltogether 44 weeks so think almost a year is prob wait time at this stage!!!

According to the guy I spoke with they were dealing with October not September.

Linda dub · 13-07-2012 9:19pm

endofrainbow wrote: »

Linda dub wrote: »

Thats strange that they still work on september as i applied 13 sept 2011 and got refusal letter may 16 which was almost two months ago surely cant take thm that long to get thru rest month .... The mind boggles...... im almost 7 weeks waiting on reveiw of this decision .... 36 weeks wait decision and alltogether 44 weeks so think almost a year is prob wait time at this stage!!!

According to the guy I spoke with they were dealing with October not September.

Sorry i was reading posts from a month ago ! It just seems to be getting longer for waiting times instead of shorter as was suppised to happen when the new system came in !!!!!

Linda dub · 13-07-2012 9:39pm

Jasssss wrote: »

Hi Linda its great to see you back on again,yes I dont know why some people are still waiting from that far back.I have seen responses to TD'S from the Minister for NOVEMBER.Maybe they need extra info.In my last post I was only try to find out if it would be quicker for my application because the medical had already gone to a doctor in the dept,I would not want to be skipping anyone after all we are all in the same boat.Linda I dont think the review will take much longer for you I will keep my fingers crossed.

Hi jasssss yes i know what u mean. You would think that parents applying for domicillary allownce or going from
That to carers would be dealt wth seperatly and it take less time to
Process. I rang during week said reveiw takes roughly two months n thats next week but we will see! I askd if i had go down appeals route i would not hve any more medical evidence to submit as ive sent it all in for the reveiw the guy said i wouldnt need anymore.... i would be calld to an oral hearing ro give me a chance to put my reasons why i should get carers allownce etc Bit puzzling tho as tthe reason i was rurned diwn was on medical grounds very confusing altogether !

finni S · 13-07-2012 10:29pm

dear linda dub, i know how you feel, i am at my wits end, every day watching a letter, every week ringing them.How in the name of god can it take so long, do they not realise the torture that we common folk go through,i do everything for my mother and i mean everything, and i am just worn out, i have 1 brother who wouldnt or hasnt ever bothered to get a loaf of bread or even asked , to tell you the the truth im getting so far behind with bills id nearly forget about this carers and sign on the dole.

Jasssss · 16-07-2012 10:37am

Linda,I reckon you will hear something within the next 10 days.I sent in a review for the Dom and it only took 4 weeks.The only good thing is you will get it backdated but having said that you probably owe it all out.Finni ,did they request any extra info during your wait.It just seems an awful long time to be waiting.

Linda dub · 16-07-2012 11:11am

Jasssss wrote: »

Linda,I reckon you will hear something within the next 10 days.I sent in a review for the Dom and it only took 4 weeks.The only good thing is you will get it backdated but having said that you probably owe it all out.Finni ,did they request any extra info during your wait.It just seems an awful long time to be waiting.

Hi jasssss
im afraid to even think about it as i probably be turned down again and thoughts of going down the appeals road just makes me feel sick ! ! Its 8 weeks now but id say length time on reveiws will depend on reason refused first place. Mine was because medical officers didnt think my parents were invalided enough to need fulltime carer... when i ring staff are nice but say its with medical doctors n not back yet .... Sooo fed up this stage... Never thought when i applied back in sept last year i still wouldnt know in middle july this year!!!!!!!!!

endofrainbow · 17-07-2012 11:45am

according to this morning's call they are still on October 2011.....

Jasssss · 17-07-2012 5:42pm

Jesus Linda, You are nearly up to a year waiting.Did you send them extra medical information .Fingers crossed you will get it this time round and all the back dated money you are due.Endofrainbow, I feel sick because if they are only up at Oct 2011 I have a long wait.You would wonder why the Minister is quoting an average time of 28 week's.

Linda dub · 17-07-2012 7:28pm

Jasssss wrote: »

Jesus Linda, You are nearly up to a year waiting.Did you send them extra medical information .Fingers crossed you will get it this time round and all the back dated money you are due.Endofrainbow, I feel sick because if they are only up at Oct 2011 I have a long wait.You would wonder why the Minister is quoting an average time of 28 week's.

Yes jassss thats counting refusal in may and then sending in all extra medical info bt jesus how long does it take to look at new medical evidence almost two months!!!!! Im soooo fed up at this stage im fit to be tied as im sure everyone else is !!! When did you apply? I dont know of anyone who got decision at 28 weeks so dunno were they got that from .... I really thought by now the new system would have cut the waiting time by a couple months even ....

Jasssss · 17-07-2012 9:04pm

Linda.I only sent my application in at the start of February so I have months of waiting ahead.Yeah 2 months is very long for a review but Linda thats why I think you will hear very soon.That new system is up and running but they said its going to be months before they clear the back log.

Linda dub · 18-07-2012 5:58am

Jasssss wrote: »

Linda.I only sent my application in at the start of February so I have months of waiting ahead.Yeah 2 months is very long for a review but Linda thats why I think you will hear very soon.That new system is up and running but they said its going to be months before they clear the back log.

Madness altogether jasssss wouldnt mind wen i applied i was told. waiting time was 13 weeks but mine was on a new system and could take less time ha!!!!!! hopefully yours wont take as long tno! Im tihinking if its taking this long for reveiw id prob been better of go straight for appeal as if i have to go down that road could be another year at this rate

((((( so frustrating !!!!!

Linda dub · 20-07-2012 8:52am

Well jasssss i was told they will
Have decision back by 19 july to ring then or next day ... Rang yesterday and an extremly rude woman more or less shouted that theyve no control over these things!!! Rang bk this morning got a less rude woman said can take 6 to 8 weeks i explained it was 8 weeks and was told more or less will just hve to wait!!!!!! im fuming ive rang every week snce i sent in reveiw and each week difrent reply ... I would love to tell them to forget bout whole thing but i couldnt afford too this waiting is really getting to me at this stage 

Jasssss · 20-07-2012 3:13pm

Linda, something similar happened to me with the Dom and I was fit to be tied.I was totally worn out and fed up.I know its hard but give it another few days. I really did not think your review would be this long because mine was not.Hang on in there.Linda was the extra info you sent in from your GP or a hospital consultant.

Linda dub · 20-07-2012 3:34pm

Jasssss wrote: »

Linda, something similar happened to me with the Dom and I was fit to be tied.I was totally worn out and fed up.I know its hard but give it another few days. I really did not think your review would be this long because mine was not.Hang on in there.Linda was the extra info you sent in from your GP or a hospital consultant.

Hi jasssss i sent in both my parents gps detailed letters saying needed constant care etc and letter from hospital when my mother discharged .... Couple other hosp reports ..... And a two page letter from
Myself stating all i do etc... ..... Seems sent to outside doctor but ithougt that only if appealing ... Im very confused ....its very hard not to get annoyed when dont have clue whats going on!!! Anyhow im
Going out to celebrate my 50th birthday tonight and put it to back my mind till
Monday at least 

Jasssss · 20-07-2012 8:00pm

Ah Happy Birthday.Have a great night.

Linda dub · 21-07-2012 12:21pm

Jasssss wrote: »

Ah Happy Birthday.Have a great night.

Thanks jasssss its back to reality now!!!
Hope i hear something this week tho i wont hold my breath.....

mick kk · 25-07-2012 1:30pm

My mother in law applied last April. Its now end of July and we have not heard anything..we haven't even got an acknowledgment that they got application - is this normal to hear absolutely nothing or has our application got lost? Did other people on here get an acknowledment when they first applied?

endofrainbow · 25-07-2012 3:16pm

I applied in December got a text mid February saying it had been received - its worth a phone call to them - just to even get your reference number.

highly1111 · 26-07-2012 10:12am

Does anyone know how long the wait time is for domiciliary care allowance? The monthly payment?? Thanks

wilmelyty · 26-07-2012 11:29am

Does anyone know what month their on i applied last nov recevied a letter on the 22 nd of nov to say they recived my app and the wait time was 24 weeks im now waiting 36 weeks this week and still have heard notting rang back at the beggining of june they were dealing with aug and i was told my app was still pending.

endofrainbow · 27-07-2012 10:03am

According to this morning's phone call they are working on end October / early November 2011.

wilmelyty · 27-07-2012 10:12am

Great thank you hopefully then i should hear from them by the end of aug 10 months is a far cry from 24 weeks anyway fingers crossed.

Jasssss · 01-08-2012 9:26am

I rang and i have been told that although i applied 25 weeks ago i have not even been scanned in yet.This has to be some sort of a joke.I asked the lady on the phone when i would be scanned in and she said she did not know that they are still clearing 2011 applications.Now getting annoyed with her is not going to help my claim so i rang my local TD and i am waiting for a response.I cannot wait much longer without an income.I am stressing myself out big time.I am putting off paying just about everything.

endofrainbow · 01-08-2012 9:29am

I applied 32 weeks ago tomorrow and was told a decision should be made within the next 3/5 weeks when I called last week

Linda dub · 01-08-2012 3:44pm

endofrainbow wrote: »

I applied 32 weeks ago tomorrow and was told a decision should be made within the next 3/5 weeks when I called last week

Im still waiting hear from reveiw which is 9 weeks now thats 46 weeks altogether ... Cant even say what think on here as prob get banned again !!!!!but its an absolute joke .... if i hear once more doctors have not looked at it yet i will scream!!! Thought reveiw was sposed only take couple weeks but if its taking this long imagne how long appeal will take!!!! Mine also took months to be scanned jaaaas and then my mothers medical report was shredded instead of scanned and i had to submit another one !!!! Sooooo annoyed !!!!

finni S · 01-08-2012 10:30pm

dear linda dub, me and you are in the same situation,now today i rang yet again! to be told my application still hasnt been reviewed by the medical people, this is a nightmare that i am living, how can it take over 9 months i mean really,i am beginning to think that they are waiting for the person you are caring for to die, i can not get the same consistent information for the carers allowance dept i get different people one telling you hopefully you will get good news soon, and the other telling you a REVIEW WILL TAKE ALMOST AS LONG AS THE APPLICATION ! Ive almost had it linda dub i havent much patience left , im finding it very tough at the moment.

Jasssss · 02-08-2012 8:27am

I know that there are loads of you waiting on a reply longer then me but my application was never scanned in.When i went to the community welfare office the other day they checked me on their system and said there is no record of me applying for the carers allowance. I told them there had to be as I have been waiting 25 weeks.They said no that they can cross reference across all departments and nothing was showing up.Now unless they scan me in I cannot go to the community welfare office or anyone else for help because I dont exist on their system.

Linda dub · 04-08-2012 9:01am

finni S wrote: »

dear linda dub, me and you are in the same situation,now today i rang yet again! to be told my application still hasnt been reviewed by the medical people, this is a nightmare that i am living, how can it take over 9 months i mean really,i am beginning to think that they are waiting for the person you are caring for to die, i can not get the same consistent information for the carers allowance dept i get different people one telling you hopefully you will get good news soon, and the other telling you a REVIEW WILL TAKE ALMOST AS LONG AS THE APPLICATION ! Ive almost had it linda dub i havent much patience left , im finding it very tough at the moment.

Hi finni. Just wondering when did you apply for carers and how long before you got the refusal and when did you send in for reveiw? I cannot belive that reveiw can take as long as original decison so could be waiting another 9 months.... I was told last week that although i was refused on medical grounds and if docs now decide im entitled to it on medical grounds it still has to go to a deciding officer and could possibly be refused for different reason!!!! An absolute disgrace it is . Cannot win with social welfare system this country !!!!

jiltloop · 06-08-2012 10:14pm

Hi guys just wondering if i can go to cwo to get help i have just applied for careers allowance and i live with my partner he works but we have 2 kids and we cant get by on what he earns?

Linda dub · 07-08-2012 7:38am

jiltloop wrote: »

Hi guys just wondering if i can go to cwo to get help i have just applied for careers allowance and i live with my partner he works but we have 2 kids and we cant get by on what he earns?

Hi i went to cwo as my husband on sw and he said no way could he pay anything to us as we are getting the amount (€342) a week for two adults one child dats the right amount in accordance with sw guidines and only if we get less he could pay us the difference!!!!! That was back in march this year....

carer's allowance wait time?

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