Welfare Dept say fit for work?

[Cashstrapped]

My MIL had a fall over a year ago which resulted in her being in hospital for a while and subsequently being told she had severe Osteoporosis for her age. She had not been working for about ten years but was continuing to sign for Credits towards her pension, her husband is Self Employed. After her fall she was advised by the SWO that she had to be transferred to Disability. She had been getting certs weekly for around the last year or so and was called twice in front of a Medical Referee. He own Doctor and consultant said she was unfit to work as her Osteoporosis was so severe that if she was to be carrying or lifting anything of substantial weight she could end up with discs in her spine collapsing which could result in her being wheelchair bound.

However she was up against another Medical Referee a few weeks back and they have now said as far as they are concerned she is fit for work. She does not get any payment from SW and never has since the day she left work, she was only signing for credits.


Has anyone as advice as to whether

- It is worth appealing this or is it really just a matter of her going back on 'Jobseekers Allowance' to keep her credits and going back to sign monthly.

- Is signing for credits really of any benefit, she is about 4 years off of state pension

- Can she buy credits or a stamp.. (think they are PRSI based but unsure of the correct name for them)

Thanks in advance.

 

[ClubMan]

- It is worth appealing this

Why not?

Appeals Office

or is it really just a matter of her going back on 'Jobseekers Allowance' to keep her credits and going back to sign monthly.

If that is all that she is entitled to then it would make sense to claim it surely?

- Is signing for credits really of any benefit, she is about 4 years off of state pension

I would assume so.

- Can she buy credits or a stamp.. (think they are PRSI based but unsure of the correct name for them)

Voluntary Contributions ?