Illness benefit problems since new form

splinter65 · 30-08-2018 6:04pm

BohsCeltic wrote: »

I went to local office earlier and they gave me a cheque for €196. Still missing money but at least i got something.
To be fair the man i dealt with was nice and understanding but i don't fancy having to que up every week if the payments keep being delayed.

Glad you got on well. Sometimes they send you out a cheque. Did you not discuss that with him?

Bubabear · 30-08-2018 7:06pm

I'm just wondering if anyone can tell, I was out sick from work back in July sent away my certs and at the beginning of August got a letter to say that I would receive my benefit.
as I'm back at work now does that still apply as never received any monies?

BohsCeltic · 30-08-2018 11:55pm

splinter65 wrote: »

Glad you got on well. Sometimes they send you out a cheque. Did you not discuss that with him?

No i didn't as they have my bank details so it was paid into my account as i presumed that would be quicker.
Never been in this situation before so not really sure how everything works.

On the plus side i walked about 11km today to sort out the mess the government has caused.

BohsCeltic · 31-08-2018 4:16pm

Trying to call them and they now have a message about delay's e.t.c and said they are priortising the old certs.
I'm starting to lose track now of what i am owed and will I have to go back to SWA again every week.

They said(message when you are on hold to them) they had processed payments on the 28th August but obviously they forgot me as mine were sent in long before that and community welfare officer said it had been sent to my bank but not including the arrears i am due but nothing in bank.

More frustration and stress.

ckd · 01-09-2018 7:44am

I don’t know what’s going on. I got a double payment on Tuesday which I pressumed was for this week and next week? Why are they giving me two payments at once?? Today (Saturday) I check my bank and they have another 80 something euro gone in but I don’t think I’m owed anything. I really need some structure for bills etc knowing what day of the week and how much I’m getting paid. This is totally all over the place.

Lefty Bicek · 02-09-2018 9:34pm

WDR wrote: »

New update on welfare.ie

This is a total joke.

http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Illness-Benefit-Customer-Update.aspx

I just saw this post, and the following from your link...

Where to send your certificates/forms for Illness and Injury Benefit

Illness Benefit has always been administered centrally and the Department has a dedicated freepost address for customers to send their Illness Benefit forms/certs to “Social Welfare Services, PO Box 1650, Dublin 1”. For efficiency and convenience for our customers we are asking that they send their forms/certs to this address.

I've been sending them to Aras Mhic Dhiarmada in Store St., because that is where I was told to send them to in a letter I got from my local Social Welfare Office.

Oh, and no payment received this week either.

Bloody hell.

Always Be Closing · 03-09-2018 6:27am

Been a month now and still nothing

Am I wasting my time calling them this morning?

This is what I've gotten so far

10th Aug

Dear *****,

I wish to acknowledge receipt of your enquiry to Illness Benefit Branch.

I have passed your email to the relevant section for their attention.

Kind regards,

********,

Illness Benefits Section

6th Aug

Dear *******,

I have sent a reminder to the relevant section for attention.

Important note: While every effort will be made to reply to your enquiry as soon as possible, response times are dependent on the number of enquiries that are already being dealt with by the Section.

Regards,

Illness Benefit Correspondence Section

splinter65 · 03-09-2018 7:26am

Always Be Closing wrote: »

Been a month now and still nothing

Am I wasting my time calling them this morning?

This is what I've gotten so far

10th Aug

Dear *****,

I wish to acknowledge receipt of your enquiry to Illness Benefit Branch.

I have passed your email to the relevant section for their attention.

Kind regards,

********,

Illness Benefits Section

6th Aug

Dear *******,

I have sent a reminder to the relevant section for attention.

Important note: While every effort will be made to reply to your enquiry as soon as possible, response times are dependent on the number of enquiries that are already being dealt with by the Section.

Regards,

Illness Benefit Correspondence Section

If you’ve no other income then you need to see the local CWO for a SWA payment.
Yes I would think that your wasting your time and money by ringing them.

BohsCeltic · 03-09-2018 9:50am

Back queing up now to see welfare officer to get SWA. It's beyond a joke now at this stage.

Was quick enough but still much hassle. The CWO said I'll probably have to do the same for the next few weeks .
What happens to those who are unable make the journey due to their illness ?

Always Be Closing · 04-09-2018 5:10pm

On hold for TWO hours today.

Bloody joke

BohsCeltic · 05-09-2018 9:10am

Got a payment of €459 into account today. Have no idea what is going on.

splinter65 · 05-09-2018 10:48am

BohsCeltic wrote: »

Got a payment of €459 into account today. Have no idea what is going on.

That’s 2 1/3 weeks. Spend away.

Always Be Closing · 05-09-2018 11:50am

So now it’s pot luck, literally a case of checking your online bank balance every so often to see if they lodged anything???

BohsCeltic · 05-09-2018 12:12pm

Always Be Closing wrote: »

So now it’s pot luck, literally a case of checking your online bank balance every so often to see if they lodged anything???

Yep. It's all over the place and i'm starting to lose track of what payments i have received and missed.

NickD · 06-09-2018 7:37am

I got money backdated two weeks ago, then got a half week last week and nothing this week. I can't continue like this it's insane.

Flippyfloppy · 06-09-2018 7:41am

NickD wrote: »

I got money backdated two weeks ago, then got a half week last week and nothing this week. I can't continue like this it's insane.

All because of some form changes that they implemented.....hmmm

Always Be Closing · 06-09-2018 10:31am

NickD wrote: »

I got money backdated two weeks ago, then got a half week last week and nothing this week. I can't continue like this it's insane.

Did they just put your normal weekly payment into your account pus backdated money?

splinter65 · 06-09-2018 10:32am

NickD wrote: »

I got money backdated two weeks ago, then got a half week last week and nothing this week. I can't continue like this it's insane.

I think if every single person who has been affected by this queued up to see the CWO wether they were entitled to an SWA then it would soon be sorted.

Always Be Closing · 06-09-2018 10:35am

splinter65 wrote: »

I think if every single person who has been affected by this queued up to see the CWO wether they were entitled to an SWA then it would soon be sorted.

The thing about Illness Benefit is they've moved office and they lost a lot of files and that

It's now a closed office on Store Street, no public access

splinter65 · 06-09-2018 10:39am

Always Be Closing wrote: »

The thing about Illness Benefit is they've moved office and they lost a lot of files and that

It's now a closed office on Store Street, no public access

No that’s not what I mean. If you are in receipt of Illness Benefit and you haven’t had a payment this week, then you need to go to your local SW office and make an appointment to see the CWO and insist on applying for an SWA.
If the CWO in every SW office was swamped with applicants then Illness Benefit would soon have to sort this all out.

NickD · 06-09-2018 10:56am

Always Be Closing wrote: »

Did they just put your normal weekly payment into your account pus backdated money?

I think it was four weeks total, I'd been waiting five weeks at that stage but I am going off what the citizens info website said I'd be entitled to based on earnings as I haven't received a letter from them yet

Whiplashy · 06-09-2018 12:08pm

I got a payment this morning, which I shouldn’t of since I got two payments last week. I owe them roughly €230. I’ve always sent my cert to the local office. Wondering what I should do with the next one. I’m getting paid (plus extra) at the moment, so it would seem foolish to change what I’m doing.

WDR · 06-09-2018 1:01pm

I've been sick since the start of August, and I've not received one Illness Benefit payment.

I'm still submitting the old MC1/MC2 forms from my doctor, I explained to him it's not my fault that I'm caught in the middle between civil servants and doctors.

1hr 2mins on hold yesterday and today before the line cuts off.

No acknowledgement, nothing. I've contacted my TD, and even he's being rebuffed. He said I'd get payment by Tuesday, still nothing.

splinter65 · 06-09-2018 2:29pm

WDR wrote: »

I've been sick since the start of August, and I've not received one Illness Benefit payment.

I'm still submitting the old MC1/MC2 forms from my doctor, I explained to him it's not my fault that I'm caught in the middle between civil servants and doctors.

1hr 2mins on hold yesterday and today before the line cuts off.

No acknowledgement, nothing. I've contacted my TD, and even he's being rebuffed. He said I'd get payment by Tuesday, still nothing.

Have you been to see the CWO at your local SW office to apply for a SWA? I can’t understand why anyone would go to a TD before seeing the CWO. The CWO has the authority to write you a check on the spot.

WDR · 06-09-2018 2:58pm

splinter65 wrote: »

Have you been to see the CWO at your local SW office to apply for a SWA? I can’t understand why anyone would go to a TD before seeing the CWO. The CWO has the authority to write you a check on the spot.

Don't assume that because I didnt mention it, that I didn't do it already.

I've been to the CWO and I have received SWA from them. I did that long before contacting a TD. I contacted the TD once I realised there was an issue between the GP's and SW.

Whiplashy · 06-09-2018 3:53pm

WDR wrote: »

I contacted the TD once I realised there was an issue between the GP's and SW.

I didn’t realise there was an issue. I got the old form last month from my GP, but just presumed he was slow on the change over. Due to get my next one on Monday. Anyone know what the actual issue is?

BohsCeltic · 07-09-2018 1:52am

Got another payment tonight but bank took most of it for to pay off loan. God knows how long i will have to wait for next payment.
MABS had contacted them but obviously they are not listening. Yes i know i have to pay bank my loan but 175 euro leaves me with just over 20 Euro.

And it's nearly 2am and this has me awake all night.

NickD · 07-09-2018 7:35am

Got no payment again today. I don't know what is going on my head is wrecked with this. How they can do this to people who are already sick I don't understand

splinter65 · 07-09-2018 9:49am

NickD wrote: »

Got no payment again today. I don't know what is going on my head is wrecked with this. How they can do this to people who are already sick I don't understand

It’s all been a terrible disaster. I’m afraid the only way to get it sorted is to pester and I mean pester another section of the department, the CWOs. Ring call in and queue if you can and insist that you want to apply for a SWA, even if your not eligible.
The CWOs are busy enough without having to deal with the fallout from this debacle and will kick up murder if it’s landed on them.
If the Union gets involved it’ll be sorted out quickly.
Heads should roll over this and the repeated shambles that is the BTSCFA

Always Be Closing · 07-09-2018 10:24am

Keep checking bank app every few hours to see if they've lodged anything

WDR · 10-09-2018 11:16am

I got a letter this morning, dated 31st August (today is the 10th September)

The letter states that my claim for lllness Benefit has been awarded from (date earlier in August)

It also says...
"Payment has been made to you on another Social Welfare scheme in the period for which you are claiming lllness Benefit. Certain Social Welfare payments cannot be paid for the same days as lllness Benefit. lf you are in receipt of one of these payments, it may now be stopped or reduced. Payments on this scheme after 13-08-2018 may be deducted from your first payment of lllness Benefit.
Your rate of payment is made up as follows:

Personal Rate €88.90
Total €88.90
Taxable Total €88.90

What does this mean? I have been getting SWA, so will €88.90 be deducted per week from my IB??? Very confusing language.

splinter65 · 10-09-2018 11:22am

WDR wrote: »

I got a letter this morning, dated 31st August (today is the 10th September)

The letter states that my claim for lllness Benefit has been awarded from (date earlier in August)

It also says...
"Payment has been made to you on another Social Welfare scheme in the period for which you are claiming lllness Benefit. Certain Social Welfare payments cannot be paid for the same days as lllness Benefit. lf you are in receipt of one of these payments, it may now be stopped or reduced. Payments on this scheme after 13-08-2018 may be deducted from your first payment of lllness Benefit.
Your rate of payment is made up as follows:

Personal Rate €88.90
Total €88.90
Taxable Total €88.90

What does this mean? I have been getting SWA, so will €88.90 be deducted per week from my IB??? Very confusing language.

The SWA is going to stop as the IB begins.
Your IB will be backdated to when you first applied but whatever you got in the meantime from SWA will be deducted from the arrears.
However. Your on the lowest rate of IB. If IB is going to be your only source of household income then you will have to ask the CWO to make it up to the SWA rate.
If it is your only source of income you must take that letter to the CWO.

NickD · 12-09-2018 8:34am

Has anyone had any joy from illness benefit? I'm in exactly the same place, no payment, no word, can't get through on the phone

Always Be Closing · 12-09-2018 10:33pm

Finally got through to them after 1 hour 20 on hold.

The gentleman who I spoke to checked my file on the computer, he said there was a payment made by Illness Benefit on Wednesday 12th Sept (today) into a KBC account he confirmed my BIC and IBAN.

Because it was so recent he couldn’t confirm the amount but told me to ring the bank.

I rang KBC and they said to just keep checking my mobile and desktop banking, but KBC were fast movers and something should show up after 12 tonight so I’ll keep you all posted

NickD · 12-09-2018 10:47pm

I got through today after an hour twenty minutes too, that must have been the hold time today. ðŸ˜

Gentleman I spoke to said that there is a bug in the new system which is randomly stopping people's payments, they have no way of knowing who has been cut off until the customer gets in touch with them. I asked him was it happening to many people, he said it was an alarming amount.

My case has been 'sent upstairs' whatever that means and they'll sort in out in a few days. I asked him could it happen again, he said yes absolutely.

If at all possible call them and hang on until you get someone, just in case you have been randomly stopped, they won't realise on their own.

BohsCeltic · 12-09-2018 10:59pm

I got a letter in the post from a TD. Said they are sorry bla bla bla e.t.c.
I sent my query by email too.
Tired of all this crap by them .

Always Be Closing · 12-09-2018 11:38pm

Anyone think the guy I spoke to was telling porkies just to get me off the phone as he knew I was pissed off after calling 7 times and speaking to 7 differrent people

He seemed a bit slow and senile although he was able to tell me my exact bank details and that a payment was made this morning to my a/c

Why would the figure not show up?

NickD · 13-09-2018 8:28am

Always Be Closing wrote: »

Anyone think the guy I spoke to was telling porkies just to get me off the phone as he knew I was pissed off after calling 7 times and speaking to 7 differrent people

He seemed a bit slow and senile although he was able to tell me my exact bank details and that a payment was made this morning to my a/c

Why would the figure not show up?

Did you get your payment after?

Always Be Closing · 13-09-2018 12:29pm

No payment so I got onto KBC who said they had no record of payment, however as it may have been made yesterday, it could have gone into what's known as a holding account which won't show up but payment could be with me today/tonight possibly

I then rang illness benefit - on hold for an hour then call ddrops

Calling them back now

wonski · 13-09-2018 12:55pm

Does anybody know how long should I wait after applying for the first payment to come through?

Judging by all previous posts it is a mess for previous recipients, does it affect new claims badly, too? Sent new form just last week, so won't be owed any money yet, but want to plan my finances ahead for next few weeks as I won't be back at work until end of October.

I guess the best plan is not to expect any money at all anytime soon? Or is it not that bad for all?

Always Be Closing · 13-09-2018 12:56pm

Right lads and ladies, we're back in the game

Just off the madra to a lovely lady in IB - basically KBC are c**ts and there'll be a payment of É1,960 in my bank account this afternoon

Phew

Also ongoing payment of 198 into A/C every wednesday

NickD · 13-09-2018 2:33pm

Always Be Closing wrote: »

Right lads and ladies, we're back in the game

Just off the madra to a lovely lady in IB - basically KBC are c**ts and there'll be a payment of É1,960 in my bank account this afternoon

Phew

Also ongoing payment of 198 into A/C every wednesday

Delighted you got sorted!!

banie01 · 15-09-2018 9:32am

My payment was sorted a few weeks ago.
My issue is that I am on monthly certs and I got this month's issued yesterday.
On the old form!
Noone in my GPs practice has yet to even see the new form.

BohsCeltic · 15-09-2018 1:45pm

I got a payment but once again bank came in and took most of it leaving me with 20 odd Euro. MABS were supposed to sort this out.
Think I will have to change to other bank but I will need to call IB to change details but I know that will just cause more problems.

Whiplashy · 15-09-2018 3:14pm

banie01 wrote: »

My payment was sorted a few weeks ago.
My issue is that I am on monthly certs and I got this month's issued yesterday.
On the old form!
Noone in my GPs practice has yet to even see the new form.

I’m on monthly certain too and got my cert on Monday on the old form. Still got my payment as usual on Thursday, so hopefully you’ll be fine.

Bubabear · 19-09-2018 11:31am

Just wondering if anyone has had any luck getting thought to them. I haven't received my payments from July, when I was out was sent a letter in the beginning of August to say I would receive it. I'm back at work now, but its only because I cannot afford to be sick (pregnancy related).

FloatingVoter · 19-09-2018 12:17pm

Bubabear wrote: »

Just wondering if anyone has had any luck getting thought to them. I haven't received my payments from July, when I was out was sent a letter in the beginning of August to say I would receive it. I'm back at work now, but its only because I cannot afford to be sick (pregnancy related).

They've closed down their phonelines - to a skeleton basis at most. I've heard rumours from the civil service that there are massive overpayments going out (and like yourself, others left unpaid)and this could drag on until Christmas - it's an IT "upgrade" gone wrong. Call 1890 66 22 44 (just general comms) to get prioritised.

Always Be Closing · 19-09-2018 12:23pm

I'm getting my weekly payment into my bank account on a Friday

Is that not an odd day? Used to getting Jobseekers on a Wednesday

Bubabear · 19-09-2018 12:23pm

FloatingVoter wrote: »

They've closed down their phonelines - to a skeleton basis at most. I've heard rumours from the civil service that there are massive overpayments going out (and like yourself, others left unpaid)and this could drag on until Christmas - it's an IT "upgrade" gone wrong. Call 1890 66 22 44 (just general comms) to get prioritised.

Thank you for your reply.

BohsCeltic · 19-09-2018 3:41pm

I was down with the community officer today. Was told payment would be in bank Friday and there was nothing they could do for me.

A crap state of affairs. System is a shambles.

Illness benefit problems since new form

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