Unemployed and looking for advice on JB Allowance.

[NickleIckle]

Today is my first day of being unemployed - ever! A few things have come up that I wonder about ..

I was employed from 1/1/07 to 31/1/09. So I figured I was entitled to redundancy. I met with the shop's accountant (the shop where I was employed), and she said they weren't going to make a fuss over it, but I was actually a few days short of qualifying for redundancy because "of your few weeks off". The only "weeks off" I have had are my holidays which I was entitled to. Surely these don't count as breaks in employment?? Anyway, that's just a side point as they said I would get my 5 weeks redundancy anyway.

So I got my R50 signed, but the shop can't afford to pay me my redundancy now - so I have to apply from the Social Insurance Fund. I guess that will take a good few weeks?

So I go to the Social Welfare Office to sign on - I have read on the citizens information website whatever I can find out. I figured I was just shy of the €299 average earnings needed to claim the full amount of benefit, but I had my ID, my P45, my payslips, etc etc with me.

Unfortunately, they look at 2007s earnings, which are even lower, so I would only get the €132 a week, so she asked if I wanted to claim for JB Allowance and Benefit - as I would get whichever one came out as the higher amount.

I filled in the forms I was given, and that was it - she didnt ask for ID, p45 or ANYTHING at all - said I would get a visit from a welfare officer in the next few MONTHS, and if I couldnt pay the rent I could go to the hospital - and got up and walked off saying "that's all I can help you with".

So do I have to wait MONTHS to get anything at this stage?
Will I hear something in a few weeks asking for paperwork and delaying it even more?
Is there a way of checking how far they have got with your application?

Thanks for any input!!
NickleIckle

 

[Gus2008]

Re: Unemployed

You should be able to go to your Community Welfare Officer to get a sub until they decide on what amount you are entitled to receive.

 

[gipimann]

Re: Unemployed

As Gus said, you may be entitled to Supplementary Welfare Allowance while waiting on a decision on your jobseeker's claim - perhaps this is what the person in the local office meant by "going to the hospital"? You will find the Community Welfare Officer at your local health centre.

They're experiencing a huge increase in applications too, so be prepared for a bit of a queue I'm afraid!

Bring your P45 and ID and if you got any documentation from the local office to say you have signed on, bring that too.

 

[NickleIckle]

Re: Unemployed

Thanks for your replies.
Yes, the Community Welfare Officer does work out of the hospital, so that's probably what she meant!
Should I have got some documentation saying that I have signed on? I didn't get any paperwork from them at all?

 

[Gus2008]

All the info you need about the Supplementary Welfare Allowance is available here.

According to the website, you should bring with you (amongst many other things!!) a note from your local social welfare office and your last wages slip if you have just applied for Jobseeker's Benefit/Assistance.