How to get disability allowance.

I've been suffering from panic attacks and depression for about 4months now, and i used to go to a doctor in northern ireland as i live beside the border, i'm living in the south i want to know how i go about gettin disability allowance since i've never been on it. Can someone explain the procedure? Do i have to go to the doctor first to be assessed or do i just take the form down and explain i just wanted to change doctor?

First you need to fill out this form and send it off a.s.a.p. (you could talk to your doctor first if you like about seeking DA but thats up to you)

http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Forms/Documents/da1.pdf


Section 10 of the form (medical report) is to be filled in by your current doctor. But you can send the form off now and later send this report on.

You should also get your doctor to request your medical record details from your former doctor as you may need these to prove your case.

How cross border exchange of files work if at all I haven't a clue but someone else may be able to advise you on that.

What income are you on at the moment? If you've been working and paying PRSI, you may qualify for Illness Benefit which isn't means-tested - the application form is available from GPs (not in NI), as the medical certificate which the GP completes is attached to the application form.