Family Welfare Entitlements & Mortgage Interest Support question

Hi all,
A question re: welfare entitlements.
I'm currently working on a contract basis and if it were to end in the near future, I'd like to know what I'm entitled to while I was searching for a new job. I've been told that a married man with 3 kids and a spouse will get approx E400 on the "stamps". My wife works part-time and brings home E180 per week so that would give us a family income of E580 per week. My mortgage payment is approx E1100 a month. Would I get assistance with this? Again I've been told that the interest portion of the mortgage would be paid. I have no idea what the ratio of capital/interest is on my current mortgage, but is it fair to say that I *could* switch to interest only in the event of losing my job, hence parking the capital repayments?
Thanks in advance...

Re: Entitlements?

The full rate of Jobseeker's Benefit for 2 adults and 3 children is €401.10.

Regarding Mortgage Interest Supplement, it is a means-tested payment so your SW income, your wife's income and any savings or investments you may have will be assessed when calculating what you might be entitled to. It's not quite true to say that the "interest portion will be paid".

If the situation arises, you can make an application for Mortgage Interest Supplement at the local health centre with the Community Welfare Officer.

Re: Entitlements?

Entitlements?

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Re: Entitlements?

Thanks Gipimann

Re: Entitlements?

Watch out for the reduced rate for QA and knock-on to kids rate, based on her earnings. 180 per week means you'd only get around 76 per week QAA for her. Also, FIS might be something you could claim if she works over 19 hours a week.

Re: Welfare Entitlements for a family?

Watch out for the reduced rate for QA and knock-on to kids rate, based on her earnings. 180 per week means you'd only get around 76 per week QAA for her.

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Oh dear. I thought Jobseekers Allowance wasn't means tested?

Also, FIS might be something you could claim if she works over 19 hours a week.

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She currently works 15 hours a week but if I was at home she'd be able to work 20 hours a week. Although this would further reduce her QAA. As the FIS cut-off for family with 3 kids is €655, does that mean we may qualify for 60% of the difference between €655 and our family income?

Re: Welfare Entitlements for a family?

Jobseeker's Benefit is PRSI linked and not means tested. Jobseeker's Allowance is means tested. It's all there on www.welfare.ie.