leaving lone parents options

Hi everybody. Long story short myself and my ex have now gotten back together. We have 2 kids together. She was on lone parents payment but stopped it when we decided to give it another go and she and the kids moved in. I lucky that i work full time taking home about 480 per week. I have a mortgage of 200k in my name. Is she entitled to any social welfare payment or what are our options. thank you

If she is available and looking for full time work then she can apply for jobseekers allowance your gross earnings (less usc/avcs/union) will be assessed as means against her payment. You could apply for family income supplement http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/275_Family-Income-Supplement.aspx

I'd say apply for JSA immediately, the payment will be small but atleast she will be able to do some courses as if you were in receipt of FIS she would not have the option of doing a course to prepare for work.

If she did do a course there may be an increase in payment from the reduced JSA payment that she will get.

You can always apply for FIS as well as her JSA, though the payment could be just €20 per week, but still something. If you are in receipt of FIS the family will also get the back to school clothing and footwear allowance when the children are of school going age.

There will a major drop in income for the time being but as you work out a new budget and pool your resources things will get better.

How about she looks for a job? Crazy thought.

While job seeking, you apply for job seekers, there is very little chance that the person who has been parenting alone has savings.

When there are two people parenting new opportunities will open up thanks to free childcare. Make use of any training possible to secure viable employment.

Thank you for your replies. She is fully willing and able to work and is actively looking for work. She had being doing courses at her own expense (and mine thu maintaince) and is only looking for short term welfare. From your post JSA is the best route and maybe an additional payment of fis even if it is €20 it's 20 euro more that we may be entitled to. And believe me when I say we have already distingused between wants and needs along time ago.