Single Male, Mortgage, Claiming Social Welfare for First Time

[FrCrilly]

Hi All,

I’ve just been informed that I am out of work. I have paid tax/PRSI continuously from mid 2002 until late 2007 and then from late 2009 to the present. (I did not claim social welfare while out of work from late 2007 to late 2009).

I will wish to claim jobseekers allowance/benefit. I will also want to claim mortgage interest relief. After examining the qualifying criteria, I believe I will qualify for both, (see below links) even though I have not worked or paid PRSI in the relevant tax year 2008 (a year in which I was out of work).

I would appreciate if someone could tell me if I am wrong to believe this (I’m finding the details a bit confusing on first view eg what does PRSI credited mean?). Also, if anyone with knowledge on the subject has any pointers on how I can maximise my legal benefits before meeting with social welfare, I am all ears.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks In Advance for All Responses


Job Seekers Allowance/Benefit

http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Schemes/JobseekerSupports/JobseekersBenefit/Pages/jb.aspx

Qualifying Criteria

• At least 104 weeks PRSI paid since you first started work

And

• Have 39 weeks PRSI paid or credited in the relevant tax year (a minimum of 13 weeks must be paid contributions*)

Or

• Have 26 weeks PRSI paid in the relevant tax year and 26 weeks PRSI paid in the tax year immediately before the relevant tax year.

*If you do not have 13 paid contributions in the relevant tax year, you must have the 13 contributions paid in any of one the following years:

• The 2 tax years before the relevant tax year
• The last complete tax year
• The current tax year.

Mortgage Interest Supplement

http://www.welfare.ie/syndicatedcontent/en/social-welfare-payments/supplementary-welfare-schemes/mortgage_interest_supplement/

 

[Berni]

You won't qualify for Jobseeker's Benefit, as you didn't work or sign on at all in the relevant year.
Credited contributions are what you get while signed on, to keep your record intact.

You may qualify for Jobseeker's Allowance, which is means tested.

 

[FrCrilly]

You won't qualify for Jobseeker's Benefit, as you didn't work or sign on at all in the relevant year.
Credited contributions are what you get while signed on, to keep your record intact.

You may qualify for Jobseeker's Allowance, which is means tested.

Thanks for that,

Does anyone know if it’s possible to appeal a decline for Job Seeker’s Benefit, based on the argument that I may be being penalised for not claiming off the state in 2008.

Again, thanks in advance.

 

[Berni]

I doubt you'd get very far with it, to be honest.

Unless you have substantial savings (or are cohabiting) then you won't be worse off on JA than JB.