Minimum weeks to qualify

[johnmck]

I was working for myself for 5 years. Running my own business, paying all my taxes etc etc. Like many businesses my business went south over the past year, so I decided to pack it in and seek full time employment elsewhere. I started working for a company 4 weeks ago. But I've a feeling they could go bust soon!

How many weeks do I need to have working to qualify for job seekers benefit/allowance or whatever it is?

Isn't it crazy that the self employed(as far as I know) are not entitled to anything. Even though I probably paid more tax into the system than the normal working person.

 

[gipimann]

There's a sticky post at the top of the redundancy and unemployment forum which outlines the qualifying criteria for Jobseeker's Benefit (number of PRSI contributions required).

Jobseeker's allowance is a means-tested scheme, and you may qualify depending on your circumstances. You do not need PRSI contributions for Jobseeker's allowance.

 

[johnmck]

It's crazy what I'm not entitled to having had worked for myself for the past 5 years, and paid all of my taxes, VAT, corporation tax, employees PRSI/PAYE. It's not fair. The self employed contribute a lot to the system, and if things go wrong for them are not entitled to anything.

I'm considering going back working for myself, but is there anyway I can work for myself, but not work for myself in the eyes of the messed up system we have? If you know what I mean?