My OH has been out of work since May, we assumed he's get nothing as I knew he didn't have enough PRSI credits in 2005 for Jobseekers Benefit. As I've been folliowing posts on this forum for a few weeks, I belatedly realised that he could claim credits - important for pension etc, so I despatched him to local Social Welfare. He asked about back-dating and was told he'd have to provide a reason why he didn't claim originally - ignorance of your rights is not a reason apparently. He wrote a letter and was told wait up to 8 weeks for a decision.
Anyway, he got a letter today - only a week later, and has been granted credits from now but not been allowed back-dated credits, the ignorance not an excuse arguement.
Question - Is it worth appealing? If he is unfortunate to be unemployed in 2009 - he's that awkward age (late 40s) so I'm taking a pessimistic view, he wont have 39 credits - he'll be 6 short bases on this year and his gap of credits.
Any advice please.
Anyway, he got a letter today - only a week later, and has been granted credits from now but not been allowed back-dated credits, the ignorance not an excuse arguement.
Question - Is it worth appealing? If he is unfortunate to be unemployed in 2009 - he's that awkward age (late 40s) so I'm taking a pessimistic view, he wont have 39 credits - he'll be 6 short bases on this year and his gap of credits.
Any advice please.