Self employed & entitlements

Hi All,

My dad has been self employed for the last number of years & business has almost completely dried up for him.

My mother doesn't work (although in receipt of part carers allowance - only part allowance due to my fathers previous income) & my sibling who has special needs is completely dependent on them.

They have no other means of income, no savings, no other properties etc...

I have trawled through citizens information but due to the fact my father is self employed, I cannot seem to make out what he may be entitled to as he hasn't been paying employee PRSI.

Can anyone please help & advise what he would be potentially entitled to if his business goes under (v. likely at this stage)?

Any help would be greatly appreciated as my parents are at their wits end with stress worrying about the situation,

Thanks

A call into local citizens advice centre if one near you might be helpful. You are correct in that he does not have full "class A" PRSI and therefore does not qualify for JSB. However he may qualify for a means tested payment if there is no other income. He could approach the SW officer in local employmen toffice and ask to be tested for JS Allowance. There is also the Community Welfare Officer ( local health centre ) who might assess for Supplementary Welfare Allowance as an interim measure if JSA is not coming through. Given the drop in his income your mother's Carers Allowance might be reviewed and perhaps she could qualify for a greater payment now. There would also be the issues of medical cards and other possible benefits. Check with local SW office and they will guide him.

Graham 07,
Thanks so much for taking the time to reply - I will get my dad to look into it. Thanks again