Disability Allowance?

tomtom926a · 08-07-2014 9:10pm

hello. i am applying for DA and wondered would it be worth sending in letters from my doc, 2 physios and a sport injury therapist and a doc iv seen a few times when i couldn't see my own. is there anything i could do to increase my chances of getting accepted. my doc signed the form yesterday.

livemusic4life · 09-07-2014 1:50am

tomtom926a wrote: »

hello. i am applying for DA and wondered would it be worth sending in letters from my doc, 2 physios and a sport injury therapist and a doc iv seen a few times when i couldn't see my own. is there anything i could do to increase my chances of getting accepted. my doc signed the form yesterday.

I'd recommend getting letters from absolutely everyone you've seen all saying that in their opinion you are going to be unfit for work for at least 12 months. I'm a trained sports injury therapist, so I'm not sure they'd be allowed to comment on how long you'll be unable to work, but get them to list the treatments you've had and for what. The higher their qualification, obviously the more weight it has. If you want to drop me a message, I'll see if I can help.

I'd also do a diary sample of how your illness/injury affects your daily life. 3 days should be enough.

WhiteWalls · 09-07-2014 1:54am

How much is disability allowance for an adult?

Conas · 09-07-2014 1:57am

I'm on disability allowance. The only person you'll need to visit is your doctor, and get him to fill out part of the DA form that is required from him, and he'll have to stamp it too. Then give it back to Social Welfare who will send it away to be assessed for approval.

This could take a few months to be approved, so you could be waiting a while.

You'll then get your payment into your bank account every week from then on, if you get accepted. You'll automatically get a 'Free Travel Pass' too.

Conas · 09-07-2014 1:58am

WhiteWalls wrote: »

How much is disability allowance for an adult?

Same as Jobseekers €188.

WhiteWalls · 09-07-2014 2:03am

Conas wrote: »

Same as Jobseekers €188.

Thanks, I was always of the opinion it was more

tomtom926a · 09-07-2014 11:29am

livemusic4life wrote: »

I'd recommend getting letters from absolutely everyone you've seen all saying that in their opinion you are going to be unfit for work for at least 12 months. I'm a trained sports injury therapist, so I'm not sure they'd be allowed to comment on how long you'll be unable to work, but get them to list the treatments you've had and for what. The higher their qualification, obviously the more weight it has. If you want to drop me a message, I'll see if I can help.

I'd also do a diary sample of how your illness/injury affects your daily life. 3 days should be enough.

thank you for your reply. i am currently on a waiting list for hospital physio and the pain clinic and am now on a waiting list for a neurologist.

Dobs71 · 09-07-2014 5:31pm

Conas wrote: »

I'm on disability allowance. The only person you'll need to visit is your doctor, and get him to fill out part of the DA form that is required from him, and he'll have to stamp it too. Then give it back to Social Welfare who will send it away to be assessed for approval.

Conas it was one of the frontline staff at my local social welfare office handed me a Disability Allowance application form to get filled out by my Doctor and I duly posted it off. I wish it was as simple as that for myself, Degenerative Osteoarthritis in both hips and one knee that require full replacements. I have this problem and is on going for twenty five years and may I add this is the first time I ever had been certified out of work due to OA. However my other knee is not really that good that it will also require surgery in the near future. I also have wicked pain in my back at times, I am also overweight and have other medical issues that I am on medication for.
Even after the required surgeries, in his words this should relieve the pain and improve my mobility and what shocked me was when he said that I should consider to retrain for suitable employment as I cant return to my previous job, the doctor I think was empathetic and wanted me to remain positive as he knows my financial status and I have to work to pay my Mortgage.
Did anybody ever get on disability with Degenerative Osteoarthritis?

livemusic4life · 10-07-2014 4:18am

Dobs71 wrote: »

Conas wrote: »

I'm on disability allowance. The only person you'll need to visit is your doctor, and get him to fill out part of the DA form that is required from him, and he'll have to stamp it too. Then give it back to Social Welfare who will send it away to be assessed for approval.

Conas it was one of the frontline staff at my local social welfare office handed me a Disability Allowance application form to get filled out by my Doctor and I duly posted it off. I wish it was as simple as that for myself, Degenerative Osteoarthritis in both hips and one knee that require full replacements. I have this problem and is on going for twenty five years and may I add this is the first time I ever had been certified out of work due to OA. However my other knee is not really that good that it will also require surgery in the near future. I also have wicked pain in my back at times, I am also overweight and have other medical issues that I am on medication for.
Even after the required surgeries, in his words this should relieve the pain and improve my mobility and what shocked me was when he said that I should consider to retrain for suitable employment as I cant return to my previous job, the doctor I think was empathetic and wanted me to remain positive as he knows my financial status and I have to work to pay my Mortgage.
Did anybody ever get on disability with Degenerative Osteoarthritis?

I don't know but I have DDD degenerative disc disease affecting 4 discs and they didn't class it as sufficient. The amount of hoops you have to jump through is insane, along with the refusals, I got 4 and I couldn't even walk!

livemusic4life · 10-07-2014 4:24am

tomtom926a wrote: »

thank you for your reply. i am currently on a waiting list for hospital physio and the pain clinic and am now on a waiting list for a neurologist.

Definitely write them a letter and explain that. They probably won't entertain your claim until after you have letters from the neurologist or pain management clinic.I'm not trying to be the voice of doom and gloom, just trying to prepare you for the horrible process that's before you. And despite the cost, register post everything. You would not believe how much get lost.....

tomtom926a · 10-07-2014 4:58am

livemusic4life wrote: »

Definitely write them a letter and explain that. They probably won't entertain your claim until after you have letters from the neurologist or pain management clinic.I'm not trying to be the voice of doom and gloom, just trying to prepare you for the horrible process that's before you. And despite the cost, register post everything. You would not believe how much get lost.....

i could be waiting 6 months+ for my neurologist .. hse is so slow

livemusic4life · 10-07-2014 10:40am

tomtom926a wrote: »

i could be waiting 6 months+ for my neurologist .. hse is so slow

that doesn't really matter to the DA people but you can apply and add stuff as you go. You'll be 4 months waiting for the DA to look at your stuff anyway. Best to have one specialist letter anyway before you apply. You shouldn't be that long waiting for pain management. (the DA people will just say you haven't proved you are a deserving case for the DA payment because you don't have sufficient evidence that you will be unfit for work for 12 months) honestly, i'm not trying to be horrible, just trying to let you know what they're like.

tomtom926a · 11-07-2014 5:09pm

livemusic4life wrote: »

that doesn't really matter to the DA people but you can apply and add stuff as you go. You'll be 4 months waiting for the DA to look at your stuff anyway. Best to have one specialist letter anyway before you apply. You shouldn't be that long waiting for pain management. (the DA people will just say you haven't proved you are a deserving case for the DA payment because you don't have sufficient evidence that you will be unfit for work for 12 months) honestly, i'm not trying to be horrible, just trying to let you know what they're like.

the waiting list for DA is a joke. my doctor referred me to the pain clinic late November last year .. im still waiting. it was late December when i asked him to refer me for hospital physio and still no letter from them. iv been waiting since October for a letter from the surgical day unit and only got a letter last week. my doctor ticked the indefinitely box in the how long is the condition expected to last section. i no your not trying to be horrible and i appreciate your help i really do. i have had to hand in my notice because i can no longer afford to pay my rent. i have to give up my home the only place i have felt at home for nearly 3 and a half years.

livemusic4life · 11-07-2014 8:00pm

tomtom926a wrote: »

the waiting list for DA is a joke. my doctor referred me to the pain clinic late November last year .. im still waiting. it was late December when i asked him to refer me for hospital physio and still no letter from them. iv been waiting since October for a letter from the surgical day unit and only got a letter last week. my doctor ticked the indefinitely box in the how long is the condition expected to last section. i no your not trying to be horrible and i appreciate your help i really do. i have had to hand in my notice because i can no longer afford to pay my rent. i have to give up my home the only place i have felt at home for nearly 3 and a half years.

I'm 32, had to leave my job and move home with my mother. Thankfully we get along well, but who wants to be living at home with their mother at 32, but i need someone for the days when i can't even put my socks on or get myself out of bed. Really, supplementary welfare, as inconvenient as it is, is the way forward financially, unless you're lucky enough to be on illness/ occupational injuries.

you may have to do what i did to be seen by the pain or neurologist. On the unofficial and completely off the books advice from a health care professional, the next time i got a flare up i admitted myself through a&e, stayed in for 3 days and eventually got an mri confirming the damage. While i was there i cried and begged to see anyone from neurology or PM. My pain was severe and real, but if they don't play a fair game then sometimes you don't either. I'm not proud of what i did and taking up a bed but it got my foot in the door to be pushed up the ladder for neurology and PM. Desperate times call for desperate measures....

And i really am sorry to hear you have to give up your home. Thats gut-wrenching

sadly this is the process. Make sure you get a letter from the landlord. Because that will show you have no other option than DA. They seem to think we're all out to screw the system.

tomtom926a · 11-07-2014 8:33pm

livemusic4life wrote: »

I'm 32, had to leave my job and move home with my mother. Thankfully we get along well, but who wants to be living at home with their mother at 32, but i need someone for the days when i can't even put my socks on or get myself out of bed. Really, supplementary welfare, as inconvenient as it is, is the way forward financially, unless you're lucky enough to be on illness/ occupational injuries.

you may have to do what i did to be seen by the pain or neurologist. On the unofficial and completely off the books advice from a health care professional, the next time i got a flare up i admitted myself through a&e, stayed in for 3 days and eventually got an mri confirming the damage. While i was there i cried and begged to see anyone from neurology or PM. My pain was severe and real, but if they don't play a fair game then sometimes you don't either. I'm not proud of what i did and taking up a bed but it got my foot in the door to be pushed up the ladder for neurology and PM. Desperate times call for desperate measures....

And i really am sorry to hear you have to give up your home. Thats gut-wrenching sadly this is the process. Make sure you get a letter from the landlord. Because that will show you have no other option than DA. They seem to think we're all out to screw the system.

i feel your pain .. i have days where it takes a half hour to just get out of bed. if i dont have 2 crutches when im out and about i will fall over or my knees will buckle. my pains gotten to the point where il get shakes in my hands when its really bad. i dont get along with my family at all. me and my mother aint talking. have not spoken to her in 9 months said she doesnt care that im in pain .. she only cares about herself and money. i have no choice but to ask my uncle if i can stay with him. never thought i would get to the stage where the dole office would just look at me and say "why are you looking for work in your condition". i now have to pack 3 and a half years of my life into cardboard boxes and be moved out by aug 4th

tomtom926a · 11-07-2014 8:42pm

people stare at me when im out and about probably wondering why iv got crutches .. i cant make 1 flight of stairs without having to take a breather. iv been accused of faking my pain ... pretending just to get benefits .. doing it because im lazy but nobody gets the toll constant pain has on your health both emotionally physically mentally. it can strain friendships,relationships,your job. its the people that judge that don't have to cry themselves to sleep because there in so much pain AND CANT GET ANY COMFORT. THE ONLY ONES WHO TRULY GET IT ARE OTHER PEOPLE IN THE SAME BOAT.

Forest Demon · 14-07-2014 10:43am

tomtom926a wrote: »

people stare at me when im out and about probably wondering why iv got crutches .. i cant make 1 flight of stairs without having to take a breather. iv been accused of faking my pain ... pretending just to get benefits .. doing it because im lazy but nobody gets the toll constant pain has on your health both emotionally physically mentally. it can strain friendships,relationships,your job. its the people that judge that don't have to cry themselves to sleep because there in so much pain AND CANT GET ANY COMFORT. THE ONLY ONES WHO TRULY GET IT ARE OTHER PEOPLE IN THE SAME BOAT.

You are right. I think we are all a bit guilty of judging others unless we go through the same ourselves. I used to get impatient with my Mother because I felt she should just get on with it and there was always something wrong with her etc. I actually used to resent her for being sick and felt she milked it. I have been crippled with pain over the past 5 years with ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis. I was already Bipolar and exercise was the only thing that helped me for this. Its like my body knew the perfect combination of conditions to **** up my life. I now can't work and have been abandoned my previous friends. I now know exactly what it is like and do not judge anyone in pain or otherwise. I am lucky to have a loving wife and family that support me as otherwise I don't think I would bother going on. Having worked for 18 years and studying in the evenings to get a degree and then masters I do feel hard done by sometimes but I am trying to focus on what quality of life I can have and what I can do. To some people when they see me on some days I look like there is not a thing wrong with me and I am sure they look at me and think I am a lazy bastard. Little do they know that I have not slept in days and I am dealing with excruciating pain in my joints and spine. They don't see the storm in my head that I am battling with the bipolar. You have to live it to know.

tomtom926a · 14-07-2014 8:03pm

that's so true .. i battled clinical depression for years and it almost got the better of me. there is nothing worse then your own imaginings.

Cyvad · 12-08-2014 9:13am

Had my oral hearing a few weeks back. Got a letter this morning saying that the appeal was allowed. Am I right in saying that they have to give me DA now? Or is there some other hoop that they will try and make jump through. I'm so tired of it all at this stage.

livemusic4life · 12-08-2014 12:10pm

Cyvad wrote: »

Had my oral hearing a few weeks back. Got a letter this morning saying that the appeal was allowed. Am I right in saying that they have to give me DA now? Or is there some other hoop that they will try and make jump through. I'm so tired of it all at this stage.

I think its just the means test now that you have to satisfy. If you've got no earnings and not much savings then you'll be fine. It wasn't an issue for me anyway. You should get another letter soon with your means on it, and then another letter stating the date of your first payment. Should all be sorted in about 4 weeks. Might take a while for your arrears to be sorted though.

Cyvad · 12-08-2014 12:34pm

livemusic4life wrote: »

I think its just the means test now that you have to satisfy. If you've got no earnings and not much savings then you'll be fine. It wasn't an issue for me anyway. You should get another letter soon with your means on it, and then another letter stating the date of your first payment. Should all be sorted in about 4 weeks. Might take a while for your arrears to be sorted though.

Do I need to contact them or will they send the forms out to me?

livemusic4life · 12-08-2014 12:44pm

Cyvad wrote: »

Do I need to contact them or will they send the forms out to me?

It should have been part of your initial application. If your circumstances have changed since you applied, then you should definitely contact them.

Disability Allowance

Ballinalee Road, Longford

Telephone 043 334 0000
LoCall 1890 927 770

Cyvad · 12-08-2014 1:32pm

I remember that now you mention it. It's that long ago since I filled the form out that I'd forgotten. Thank you!

livemusic4life · 12-08-2014 1:39pm

Cyvad wrote: »

I remember that now you mention it. It's that long ago since I filled the form out that I'd forgotten. Thank you!

You're welcome, and best of luck. And I should say congratulations because its not easy to get the successful verdict.

olliesgirl55 · 12-08-2014 7:29pm

livemusic4life wrote: »

I think its just the means test now that you have to satisfy. If you've got no earnings and not much savings then you'll be fine. It wasn't an issue for me anyway. You should get another letter soon with your means on it, and then another letter stating the date of your first payment. Should all be sorted in about 4 weeks. Might take a while for your arrears to be sorted though.

I think they are behind in processing claims for people who won their appeal. I got my letter June 13th and haven't heard anything yet. Called today and was told they are processing the very start of June and it could be another 3 weeks before they get to me. So it looks like it's taking 2.5 weeks to process a week of claims.

My first call to them was the end of June and they told me 4 weeks and then I called the end of July and they said they were on May 23rd so it should be 2 to 3 weeks. Now today they are only on the start of June so it's slow going.

I guess we all have to have patience:( The wait is the hardest part.

livemusic4life · 13-08-2014 9:07pm

olliesgirl55 wrote: »

I think they are behind in processing claims for people who won their appeal. I got my letter June 13th and haven't heard anything yet. Called today and was told they are processing the very start of June and it could be another 3 weeks before they get to me. So it looks like it's taking 2.5 weeks to process a week of claims.

My first call to them was the end of June and they told me 4 weeks and then I called the end of July and they said they were on May 23rd so it should be 2 to 3 weeks. Now today they are only on the start of June so it's slow going.

I guess we all have to have patience:( The wait is the hardest part.

Thats a pretty stiff wait :eek: hopefully people won't be waiting too long to get their payment or news they've been waiting for.

olliesgirl55 · 14-08-2014 9:28am

livemusic4life wrote: »

Thats a pretty stiff wait :eek: hopefully people won't be waiting too long to get their payment or news they've been waiting for.

I know my original application was Jan and I was refused and appealed in March and got my oral hearing 6 weeks later. The appeal allowed letter came 3 weeks later. Been waiting for it to be processed since then.
I know the wait had been longer in recent years but I think last year they switched over to a new computer system which was supposed to speed up processing times.
In June they were processing more applications but slowed down in July and now August probably due to employees taking holidays and such. I don't begrudge them that because they work very hard. However to them we are just a file but to us processing our claims means we get the free bus pass and have option to have payment into our banks which is a godsend to people. Also the small extras (household benefits) help us a great deal especially with winter approaching soon.
Hopefully they will start speeding up processing again soon:)

PS currently I think they are taking 10 weeks to process claims for people who won their appeals. That's my guess based on the calls I have made over the last two months

Thewife · 18-08-2014 9:17am

Does anyone know if you can claim disability allowance when receiving a state contributory pension?

flutered · 18-08-2014 10:26am

Thewife wrote: »

Does anyone know if you can claim disability allowance when receiving a state contributory pension?

one can only claim one welfare payment at the time.

olliesgirl55 · 18-08-2014 7:36pm

Just wanted to let everybody know that I got my letter today saying my disability is processed and will get my first payment on Sep 3rd. So my journey took 9 months to complete. I am so happy. So from lodging my appeal to first payment took 24 weeks. I should have my free travel pass next week (it's the new card version), Also Household Benefits told me I would be paid arrears back to Jan ( I have zero means) I was pleasantly surprised by this news.

I am on JSA right now and obviously will be collecting my regular payment next Monday; however I am not sure what to do the week after. Do I collect my JSA payment on Monday Sep 1 and go to the signing office on the 2nd which is my sign date to let them know I am on disability? I am due the living alone increase arrears back to January so if they pay me the full JSA payment on Sep 1 and that turns out to be an error they will be able to take it out of my arrears. Wish the letter would have explained this. If anybody can answer this I would greatly appreciate this.:)

livemusic4life · 25-08-2014 1:58pm

Thewife wrote: »

Does anyone know if you can claim disability allowance when receiving a state contributory pension?

Surely you get more money on the contributory pension. You don't get two main payments together. You can get some secondary payments depending on your circumstances, don't know if these apply to you though.

Nomis21 · 06-09-2014 3:02pm

I made a claim for DA a few months ago and this week DSP inspector called to my address without warning to "Examine my means".

She asked various questions about my illness, landlord, partners, ex partners, family, previous jobs before checking my bank statements and then casually asking if I wanted the DA for the free travel pass.

I answered all questions honestly as I have nothing to hide. Next day she phoned and asked me for my National Insurance number when I was in UK and what work I did there.

An inspector has called, so is this the final check on my claim before authorising it to go ahead?

How long is it likely to be before I hear something after this home visit?

Bof No1 · 06-09-2014 9:59pm

Hi Nomis, glad to hear you've had a visit from an inspector, bit sneaky to arrive without making an appointment! I'm surprised to see that you only applied a few months ago and already, you're at this stage, ie, being means tested. Have you received written notification of your application being successful on a medical basis? If not, I'd suggest that you call the Dept. to find out if this is so, as this would normally be the first major step before they start looking at your finances. If this was me, I'd be cautiously optimistic, but obviously, your means have to check out first. Cheers and good luck, Bof No1.

Nomis21 · 06-09-2014 10:14pm

Bof No1 wrote: »

Hi Nomis, glad to hear you've had a visit from an inspector, bit sneaky to arrive without making an appointment! I'm surprised to see that you only applied a few months ago and already, you're at this stage, ie, being means tested. Have you received written notification of your application being successful on a medical basis? If not, I'd suggest that you call the Dept. to find out if this is so, as this would normally be the first major step before they start looking at your finances. If this was me, I'd be cautiously optimistic, but obviously, your means have to check out first. Cheers and good luck, Bof No1.

Actually I first applied for DA two years ago and was turned down 3 times, including twice on appeal and I just kept submitting more medical evidence and eventually another fresh claim. They are probably just fed up with me.

Why would they need to let me know that I had qualified on medical grounds if they were not granting me DA until they had completed the means assessment?

To be honest Bof I'm scared to call Longford in case the answer is "No" again. Sometimes I think it is "Better to travel hopefully than arrive."

How long is it usually between an inspector's visit and granting DA?

Bof No1 · 07-09-2014 10:56pm

Hi Nomis, to get DA, obviously,you need to be proved disabled. The fact that they are now assessing your means, suggests that you've passed this point. In my own case, I found out about this, when I made a call to find out the stage my claim was at and the person told me that I'd been passed medically about 2 months previously and that an inspector would be in contact soon. It took her another 10 weeks to get around to me, but when she did, it was very matter of fact. She asked me to supply various things, I did, she sent a report, job done. I called about four weeks later and was told the officer dealing with my case was on holidays, so I had to wait another week. I was then told that a decision would issue by post by the weeks end. I nearly raped the postman for the next few days and 2 brown envelopes arrived, 1 with the travel pass, the other with the details of how much I was to receive and the start date for same, hallelujah. Obviously, each case is different, but I would hope you'll get a positive result in the next 6 to 8 weeks, fingers and toes crossed. Cheers, Bof No1.

Nomis21 · 07-09-2014 11:59pm

Thanks for that Bof, it sounds very optimistic. Yes the inspector was rather "matter of fact".

The fact that she came unannounced suggests that the idea was to see if I really lived there, who I was living with and if there was any embarrassing items such as wads of cash sitting on the dining table.

Thankfully I was home and alone and in my usual impoverished state of undress.

I think once she saw all that I got the feeling the job had more or less been done.

She was terrified of my cat though, I hope that won't go against me :rolleyes:

Mike27 · 09-09-2014 10:48am

Hey guys,might be posting in the wrong place,if I am just let me know..
An unusual one but hopefully someone has some info..I have been on disability for a few months now,was on unemployment while getting diagnosed and papers processed.While recently being immobilized due to my injuries i passed the time investing my savings(about e500) into some stocks.surprisingly the money actually made a nice profit and now i'm trying to figure out how to tell disability without them dragging me over the coals.anyone have any idea how this works?-I dont want to just keep quiet in case I loose DA altogether!

Bof No1 · 10-09-2014 12:10pm

Hi Mike, glad to see that you received your DA. To the best of my knowledge, you can have up to €50,000 in stocks, shares and savings, before it impacts on your DA. You can check this by looking at the form you downloaded when applying for DA., it states in the financial section, that the first €50,000 is not taken into account. If you've made more than this from your €500, please let me know how, or, I'll sign up to your new investment management company. Cheers, Bof.

Mike27 · 10-09-2014 12:16pm

Haha..thats great news BoF,I thinks I'm fairly well under that limit,will download those forms now,do you think it applies also to investments that matured after I was granted DA?as was the case here?thanks for the info!

Mike27 · 10-09-2014 12:17pm

Haha..thats great news BoF,I thinks I'm fairly well under that limit,will download those forms now,do you think it applies also to investments that matured after I was granted DA?as was the case here?thanks for the info!

Dobs71 · 24-09-2014 2:14pm

Just posting this question I am finally getting accessed by Social protection I have sent everything back that they have required such as updated bank statements, wife's earnings, the daughters college enrolment letter these were all submitted earlier, Is this part of the means test?
a nice guy from the department rang me to ask some more questions like when is it likely that I will be returning to work, I told him out straight that that I have a medical card and was told by my GP that I will be waiting a while to see a surgeon and because of my age they might leave it go for a few years however the GP said if the surgeon decides to go ahead and carry out the required surgeries this will elevate some of the pain and gain a bit of quality of life. The GP also said I cant return to my job that I had trained and studied for. I also said to the guy from the department that I rather be on DA than a illness pension because I do want to retrain and go back working which I cant do that as I am led to believe whilst on a illness pension.
I asked him how is the application was going he said everything it looks ok and would not give a definite answer. I suppose he could not as he would be putting his job on the line. The other question that I am asking is when will I get my refusal letter?
I just want to add this, that my private Pension was paid out to me after I applied to surrender it, they got my medical history from my GP.

livemusic4life · 24-09-2014 4:41pm

I'll bet a fiver that you'll get turned down as you're already thinking of retraining and going back to work. They don't want to hear it. Trust me. It'll mean to them you don't fit the requirement of not being able to participate in suitable work for your age. Regardless of it being true or not, its how they view it. I'd like to be proven wrong but i know how the hamsters in the wheel work

Bof No1 · 25-09-2014 12:15pm

Hi Dobs71, to a certain extent, I'd have to go along with livemusic4life, if you don't fit into the parameters they have to work within, you're an anomaly and as such will be refused, because you're the fly in the ointment. You don't say whereabouts you are in the application process, but the fact you're asking about a letter of refusal, suggests to me that you've only just started? Keep the chin up, it's a long process for most and they'll try to wear you down, cheers, Bof.

Dobs71 · 25-09-2014 8:26pm

Thanks lads for the encouragement, I don't know where I am in the application process I say about another month or two, or six. just trying to get going Jesus they don't half ask for updated stuff that I had already sent in, if this is the way they request information than it will be a few years before I will get sorted.
So when I get the refusal letter I request an oral hearing to explain my case would this be the way to go?
Thanks again for your advice and experiences.
Dobs

livemusic4life · 25-09-2014 8:40pm

Dobs71 wrote: »

Thanks lads for the encouragement, I don't know where I am in the application process I say about another month or two, or six. just trying to get going Jesus they don't half ask for updated stuff that I had already sent in, if this is the way they request information than it will be a few years before I will get sorted.
So when I get the refusal letter I request an oral hearing to explain my case would this be the way to go?
Thanks again for your advice and experiences.
Dobs

You have to see what their reasons for refusals are. Then ask for an oral review if you feel that you do in fact meet the requirements stated. Its not an easy process, and can be completely life sapping if you do get turned down. Especially when you don't fit in the mould, like I didn't. I was turned down 4 times before I got mine. but i'm sure the option to keep appealing has been removed since. I may be wrong, but i'm sure someone mentioned it. I don't mean to be pessimistic but if I had this advice before I started I would have been far better prepared. Many a day I spent crying, unable to put one foot in front of the other while some pencil pusher in an office who had never met me said I didn't qualify.

And you really should claim illness benefit while you wait, as this will mean you'll get your physical assessment earlier too. They won't schedule you with a special one, they will combine it with the regular ones that you get while on illness benefit. You can always drop the illness benefit when you get your disability.

Bof No1 · 26-09-2014 10:41pm

Dobs, how long has it been since you made your application, how long after you first applied was it before they contacted you for more information and have you received any letter of refusal since you first applied? Cheers, Bof.

Dobs71 · 27-09-2014 10:37am

livemusic4life: I have being getting illness benefit from end of March or the start of April, during the phone calls back and forward I was informed that I was getting a lower rate of €121.40 because I had worked part time while I was in education.
What I have learned through my application for IB, that is only based on taxable income and even though I was in getting back to education allowance that is not considered an income to the IB department.
IB department had sent out a assessment to be filled out by my GP which was returned and I have not any contact from them since.

Bof No1: they had received my application in early May I think it was first week to be honest, it was only two weeks ago that they rang asking for more information about my children and asked that I have a girl in college because she is over the age of eighteen, wife's status, working, what's her wage etc, which I sent back to them and had another information request on Wednesday gone sent that one back as well.
I have not received a letter of refusal as yet, from reading other posts, I say it is on the way.

Bof No1 · 28-09-2014 10:01pm

Dobs71, based on what you've said in your email, your treatment so far has been different to mine. In my case, I wasn't asked for any more information after acknowledgement of receipt of my initial application. I was then granted a refusal letter and asked, if I wished, to appeal the decision and forward any further relevant information. This I did and I heard nothing more from them, until I contacted them by phone after 10 to 12 weeks, to be told that I was passed medically and would be contacted by a Social Welfare Inspector, to ascertain my means.
Maybe the system has changed, but if not, I personally, would be looking at your situation favourably? Or, maybe they're setting you up for a fall, who knows what they're at, but I'd still be more optimistic about this, than pessimistic, cheers, Bof.

Dobs71 · 09-10-2014 11:20am

I received confirmation by post today that I have been awarded disability allowance to say I am over the moon is an understatement, I am buzzing to be honest. My claim is been backdated to a week after they have received the application form.
I have read posts, that people had been refused and it was always a worry for me that I would be refused, I just want to say thanks to Boards.ie and the posters on forum for there kind advice and comments that has helped me in my application.
The down side is that I still have my illness for life, been awarded disability has eased the burden on my income to support my family. Just one or two more questions what happens next I will be changing from illness benefit to Disability allowance in the next few weeks, do I still have to hand in certs from my doctor to the social welfare, When do I apply for house hold package, as I we only have one old car, sometimes I am grounded and depend on buses to get about when do I apply for the bus pass as this would save me a few pound over a week.

Mike27 · 09-10-2014 11:30am

Hey Dobs,
Congrats I know thats a relife,dont know about certs but you can ring up and request the form gor household benefits straight away,also fuel allowance should come in without having to apply anymore.
My bus pass came in two days after i got approval for DA

Disability Allowance?

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