Problem claiming Disability Allowance?

[fionac]

Hi Im really confused & could do with some help

I applied for Illness benefit in May 2008 due to the fact I could no longer work, this is due to the fact that my boyfriend of 5 years took his own life in our workplace & Iam now suffereing from severe depression.

I did not have enough credits for it but was helped out by my CWO & put on Supplimentary Welfare Allowance as long as I continued to hand in my certs every week...I have been doing this.

I have now been asked by my CWO to apply for Disability Allowance but my doctor wouldnt fill out the form for me?? He said i have not been ill long enough?? I have been with the same doctor for 3 years & seeing him due to depression since Dec 2007 just after my boyfriends death

What do I do now? I know I cant stay on SWA for too long as its just an interium payment....where do i go from here??

 

[gipimann]

Re: Problem claiming Disability Allowance??

I'm sorry to hear of the circumstances which have led to your current situation.

The qualifying conditions for Disability Allowance include the following sentence

"The person must be suffering from an injury, disease, congenital deformity or physical or mental illness or defect which has continued or may reasonably be expected to continue for a period of at least a year".

I suspect that your GP is taking the "illness which has continued....for ...at least a year" bit literally - as he's only been certifying you since Dec 2007, your year isn't up yet.

Firstly, I wouldn't worry about SWA - yes, it's an interim payment, but it will be paid as long as you have an entitlement to it. If that means being on SWA until your GP does decide to sign the form, then as long as your circumstances remain the same, you'll keep getting paid. If the GP does sign the form, the claim for DA can take some time, and you'll continue to receive SWA in the meantime.

Do you have the option to see another GP perhaps? Or if you attend a hospital or other medical professional, would that be an option?

For info, here's the link to the Dept of Social Welfare page on DA