Am I entitled to jobseekers allowance?

I'm returning to college in september after being unemployed for a short time. I'm getting a bit confused with the text on welfare.ie and I can't tell if I'm eligible for any sort of benefit. I'm currently not registered as a student, even though I've had jobs in the past...well none of them have been what you could say official i.e. my employers never registered me as an employee, any money I got was paid cash in hand, which makes a p45 sort of out of the question! I have letters saying "thank you for your cv" yadda yadda "but positions have been filled" so I have proof I've been looking. I understand I may need bank statements to check my means test, I have those. I also have the appropriate i.d., bank account numbers, pps number etc.

My other problem is I just moved to a new county at christmas, athough I have letters with my name and address, I do not know if I need anything more official. So I don't know if my local welfare office will tell me that I'm not elligable in this county yet or not.

I'm sorry for the long post but can i apply for jobseekers allowance, I know that jobseekers benefit is out of the question. Is there anything that i need? any help would be appreciated

also i should mention that i am currently living with my boyfriend who is supporting both of us at the moment. Although he will be unemployed at the end of this month. He will have money coming from independant projects, but his status will be unemployed. Will this make a difference to my claim?

Should be obvious whether or not you qualify from the qualifying criteria on www.welfare.ie. If in doubt apply and let them figure it out. Note that you must be genuinely available for and seeking work in order to claim Jobseekers Allowance/Benefit and JA is means tested while JB is not but is linked to PRSI contributions.

When you become unemployed, go to the nearest SW Local Office to register your claim. Bring your ID with you as well as proof of your address. They will tell you what you need for the "means test" but bring what you know already with you. Your BF's current income will also be assessed as you are living with him. When his circumsatnces change, they will review your means if you ask them to.