Disability Payment

The Department of Social and Family Affairs is responsible for allocating payments though its various illness related schemes. Of these schemes, ME sufferers will more usually be concerned with Disability Benefit, Invalidity Pension and Disability Allowance.

Disability Benefit is taxable and non-means tested and requires the applicant to satisfy both medical criteria and PRSI contributions. It is normally a short-term payment but can be applied long term in certain circumstances. You should complete a First Social Welfare Medical Certificate which includes a claim form and is available from your doctor. and send it to: Social Welfare Services, PO Box 1650, Dublin 1, Tel: (01) 6797777, or hand it in at your local Social Welfare office.
More detailed information on Illness Benefit here

Typically an applicant requiring benefit on a long term situation will be assessed for Invalidity Pension, once it is clarified that the illness / condition is likely to remain for an indefinite period.
More detailed information on Illness Benefit here

Disability Allowance does not require the applicant to satisfy PRSI contribution levels but is means tested.

The application procedure for Disability Allowance requires that the applicant completes a claim form (DA 1) available from post offices or your local Social Welfare Office and post the completed form to the Disability Allowance Section.

You will then be notified of a date for a medical assessment which is conducted by a Medical Assessor (referee doctor) appointed by the Department. You should bring any Medical data with you which you feel will support your claim.

You will be then notified of the Department's decision.
More detailed information on Illness Benefit here

If you have been turned down for payment , you have a right to appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office, which is a separate independent body. Your case will then be referred back to the Social Welfare Services for their comments. If their decision remains unchanged, your case will then be considered by an Appeals officer.
More detailed information on Illness Benefit here

The current position for ME sufferers has not changed much over the years insofar that the difficulties which were present then still remain, even if your GP is a supportive and understanding. The important thing to remember here is that the Department is attempting to determine your capacity for employment. With ME, you don't possess the visual impairment that is present with other conditions. It is therefore vital that your general practitioner endorse the view that you are incapable of work, regardless of the terminology placed on your diagnosis, be it ME, CFS, Fibromyalgia or PVFS.

The Department of Social and Family Affairs, in communication to the Irish ME Trust states:

This Department does recognise Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / M.E. as a condition. The degree to which a person is affected and its probable duration determines eligibility to the Department's various illness schemes.

In relation to carrying out the medical evaluation and assessment of persons who have this particular condition, the Department's Medical Assessors have received special training in the assessment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / M.E. All of the Department's Medical Assessors consider Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / M.E. to be a genuine illness.

Relevant contact details:

Disability Allowance Section,
Social Welfare Services Office,
Government Buildings,
Ballinalee Road,
Longford.
Tel: (043) 45211 or (01) 704 3000


Disability Benefit, Department of Social and Family Affairs,
Áras Mhic Dhiarmada,
Store St.,
Dublin 1.
Tel: (01) 679 7777.


Invalidity New Claims Section,
Social Welfare Services Office,
Government Buildings,
Ballinalee Road,
Longford.
Tel: (043) 45211 or (01) 704 3000


Social Welfare Appeals Office,
D'Olier Street
Dublin 2.
Tel: 1890 74 74 34 or (01) 671 8633