Osteoarthritis

[passat]

A friend of mine has recently been diagnosed by a Consultant rheumatologist as having osteoarthritis of both hips and shoulder. As this is a lifetime disease and he cannot work any longer, would he be entitled to Disability Allowance? or does the ailment have to be more severe than Osteoarthritis in order to qualify for this payment? his wife is the only breadwinner now. Thanks.

 

[gipimann]

If your friend has been working and paying the appropriate PRSI contributions he can apply for Illness Benefit which is based on his contribution record (and more importantly, given that his wife is working) isn't means-tested.
After 12 months claiming illness benefit, he may qualify for Invalidity Pension, which is also contributions-based, and not means-tested.

Disability Allowance is a means-tested payment, for persons who are incapacitated and unable to work, and do not have sufficient PRSI contributions to qualify for Invalidity Pension. Your friend's wife's income would be taken into account if he applied for Disability Allowance.

All of the above are subject to medical assessment.

Information on all of these schemes is available on www.welfare.ie (click on the "ill or disabled" section on the main page).

 

[CMCR]

Unfortuantely, Osteoarthritis is not a recognised illness under the Long Term Illness Scheme, so they would not be entitled to a LTI Card.

Depending on their circumstances, they might consider applying for a medical card/GP Visit Card which would help considerably. If they qualify for a medical card, they can obtain free prescribed drugs/medicines for the treatment of their condition and free GP Visits.