D
dj_spider
Guest
Right stick with me on this one, it's a little complicated! I applied for Illness benefit but as I came here from the UK and only work for a few months I don't have enough contributions. I discussed this with my GP and he said my back pain would last for the rest of my life and probably not get any better, in fact, worse.
I applied for Disability benefit, and I went for a medical examination in April and was told I was not eligible as my disability was not or is not expected
to last more than 12 months. This was correct at the time of my
examination, but since then I have asked my GP if it is going to last more
than 12 months. He agreed and I appealed.
I have since visited the Cappagh hospital and been diagnosed with Myofacial Pain syndrome. I gave the report from Cappagh and the referral to Physiotherapy to the appeal board. They again refused my claim on the
grounds of me not meeting the medical grounds. I visited the relieving
officer and she proceeded to fill out a social welfare benefit form to pay me on the strength of me appealing again.
I got a letter from the appeal board saying I can send a full and detailed account of my disability to be considered. This I have done and I am now awaiting a response from them.
I was wondering how long I can expect to wait for a descision as it has now been over a year. Also how many times can you appeal ? I've done it 3 times now. If I am refused how long can I claim social welfare for ? It feels like a catch 22 situation, I am not fit enough to work, but not sick enough for benefits.
If I am denied a 3rd time, shall I reapply for Illness benefit? I was told in September I still didn't have enough contributions for it. Or shall I reapply for Disability benefit ? I'm confused!
I have since been back to Cappagh and seen a different specialist and she said I had got soft. Well excuse me missus, I am a 41, (nearly 42) year old bloke, who is fairly fit and healthy, a little overwieght, (5ft 10ins, 13st 7lbs) who was in the British Army for 12 years. She said it's like a woman giving birth, if they were taught to harden up, they wouldn't have so much pain! OK, um, sure I'm pregnant! LOL
I have now heard that they want to do an oral hearing, but as they have many appeals, it wont be for a while. Also I went back to my GP and he had a letter from the specialist saying I won't get disabilty as I can do office work. Well I had an office job last year and had to give it up as I was in so much pain.
So what now? If I am too ill to work, but not fit enough to claim dole, can I just carry on getting social welfare? The card the relieving officer gave me expires in July next year.
In the UK if you can't get sickness benifit and not eligialble for dole, you get income support, but Ireland doesn't seem to have this system. How do others cope?
I applied for Disability benefit, and I went for a medical examination in April and was told I was not eligible as my disability was not or is not expected
to last more than 12 months. This was correct at the time of my
examination, but since then I have asked my GP if it is going to last more
than 12 months. He agreed and I appealed.
I have since visited the Cappagh hospital and been diagnosed with Myofacial Pain syndrome. I gave the report from Cappagh and the referral to Physiotherapy to the appeal board. They again refused my claim on the
grounds of me not meeting the medical grounds. I visited the relieving
officer and she proceeded to fill out a social welfare benefit form to pay me on the strength of me appealing again.
I got a letter from the appeal board saying I can send a full and detailed account of my disability to be considered. This I have done and I am now awaiting a response from them.
I was wondering how long I can expect to wait for a descision as it has now been over a year. Also how many times can you appeal ? I've done it 3 times now. If I am refused how long can I claim social welfare for ? It feels like a catch 22 situation, I am not fit enough to work, but not sick enough for benefits.
If I am denied a 3rd time, shall I reapply for Illness benefit? I was told in September I still didn't have enough contributions for it. Or shall I reapply for Disability benefit ? I'm confused!
I have since been back to Cappagh and seen a different specialist and she said I had got soft. Well excuse me missus, I am a 41, (nearly 42) year old bloke, who is fairly fit and healthy, a little overwieght, (5ft 10ins, 13st 7lbs) who was in the British Army for 12 years. She said it's like a woman giving birth, if they were taught to harden up, they wouldn't have so much pain! OK, um, sure I'm pregnant! LOL
I have now heard that they want to do an oral hearing, but as they have many appeals, it wont be for a while. Also I went back to my GP and he had a letter from the specialist saying I won't get disabilty as I can do office work. Well I had an office job last year and had to give it up as I was in so much pain.
So what now? If I am too ill to work, but not fit enough to claim dole, can I just carry on getting social welfare? The card the relieving officer gave me expires in July next year.
In the UK if you can't get sickness benifit and not eligialble for dole, you get income support, but Ireland doesn't seem to have this system. How do others cope?