Extraordinary that more are being turned down for disability allowance

Fianna Fáil are warning that two out of every three disability allowance applications to the Department of Social Welfare are being refused.

The party have issued figures showing that the amount of applications refused has risen from 54% in 2010 to 61% for 2011.

The party’s spokesperson for social protection, Willie O’Dea, says the latest figures show that this number will jump to nearly two thirds of all applications being refused for 2012.

And he says he doesn’t understand why the refusals keep rising: “In so far as people being turned down are concerned, there’s no change in criteria.

“Well if there’s no change in the critieria since this government took office, then it is absolutely extraordinary that many more people are being turned down for disability allowance.

Forest Demon • 5 hours ago

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I know of a person who is currently a full time resident of a mental health clinic with severe depression and bipolar. Has had it for over 10 years and is under the care of a consultant psychiatrist who helped them fill out the forms for disability and was turned down.

I can understand and want the government to have a strict criteria but they seem to be just turning down everyone. If a consultant is supporting their claim then who is some pen pusher to turn them down?

Reform the criteria if need be to reduce applicants but stop punishing the legitimate cases! Typical Irish Government. Rather then do a bit of work and properly assess people they refuse everyone and make them appeal. In the case of people who are suicidal with severe depression and the process taking over a year for application this can be thing to push desperate people over the edge.

O’Dea is a spoofer, looking for a soundbyte by the way but the point he is making is true regardless of his self serving motives.

via O’Dea: Extraordinary that more are being turned down for disability allowance | BreakingNews.ie.

via O’Dea: Extraordinary that more are being turned down for disability allowance | BreakingNews.ie.