Heads up on means test for claimants with working spouse/cohabitant

Dotsie~tmp · 27-04-2011 8:13am #1

Just some important info regarding means test for JSA and Disability-Allowance. Current guidelines state "Pension Levy" should now be included with PRSI, Superannuation/Pension & Union as a deduction from spuoses gross (remember insurable disregard too). This info is not available at citizens-advice or on most forms literature it seems. I could find no mention of "universal social charge" as a deduction. Remember you can appeal decisions, check the figures.

(Last Updated: 04/03/2011 11:27)
http://www.welfare.ie/EN/OperationalGuidelines/Pages/disall.aspx#part1

Under the new means assessment arrangements introduced from 26 September 2007, spouse's/civil partner's/cohabitant's earnings are calculated as gross earnings less PRSI, Superannuation and Union dues (since March 2009 pension levies are also deducted). Where the spouse/civil partner/cohabitant is engaged in insurable employment a disregard of €20 per day applies subject to a maximum of €60 per week and balance is at 60%. In all other cases the balance is assessed at 100%. the disregard of €20 per day only applies to insurable employment

.

Threshold is €312.80

Thx. mp22

mp22 · 27-04-2011 11:16am

If anyone disagrees with the result of the means test,they can appeal.

Limerick Bandit · 27-04-2011 1:04pm

Can anyone tell me what other expenses they take into account when calculating means?

eddiehen · 27-04-2011 1:12pm

Limerick Bandit wrote: »

Can anyone tell me what other expenses they take into account when calculating means?

None. For the simple reason that if they took loans/mortgages into account, and someone was only slightly over the means for the means test, theoretically that person could arrange a loan or mortgage to fall back under the threshold and qualify for payment.

That and most of the developers under NAMA would qualify for payment.

Limerick Bandit · 27-04-2011 1:29pm

So why do they have an appeals process?

Dotsie~tmp · 27-04-2011 1:43pm

For the medical grounds?

eddiehen · 27-04-2011 2:13pm

Limerick Bandit wrote: »

So why do they have an appeals process?

To allow for details not brought to the attention of the deciding officer, or details they might have missed. I'd say anecdotally that means decisions are correct 9 times out of 10, as they deal with the facts and figures and are one of the only succinctly defined aspects of social welfare legislation, but as deciding officers are human too there is a margin for error.

Limerick Bandit · 27-04-2011 3:40pm

eddiehen wrote: »

To allow for details not brought to the attention of the deciding officer, or details they might have missed. I'd say anecdotally that means decisions are correct 9 times out of 10, as they deal with the facts and figures and are one of the only succinctly defined aspects of social welfare legislation, but as deciding officers are human too there is a margin for error.

Thats what I'm asking, What other details would they take into consideration?

Cathal_91 · 27-04-2011 4:15pm

i dont know if i qualify for the dole for the summer i live with my parents, i know how to work out if i qualify but how do i work out what my parents earn weekly, ive been looking at my dad p60s and income Levy for the year, do i just divide what he gets a year by 52 then to get his weekly income?

i dont wanna go over to the dole office if im not gonna qualify for it, i also know it says i need to prove my address with a letter 2 months recent but i dont have any letters that recent?

can anyone tell me what documents i will need : age card, letter to prove adress, parents p60? or what do i need to show them my parents income?

eddiehen · 27-04-2011 4:20pm

Limerick Bandit wrote: »

Thats what I'm asking, What other details would they take into consideration?

None apart from what's already mentioned!!!!

If a deciding officer doesn't take into account the Union dues, or PRSI for example, and you appeal, then it goes back to the DO who does a double-check to make sure all the allowances are made.

Assessable income is gross earnings less deductions for PRSI, superannuation (icluding AVC's and PRSA's), the pension levy and union dues.

If he/she sees that they have missed something, they revise the decision and advise you. If not, because you have a statutory right to appeal, they must send it on to the appeals office, knowing that it will sit in that queue only to come back with the disallowance upheld. The above is just an excerpt from the insurable income means assessment. All operational guidelines regarding means can be found here

eddiehen · 27-04-2011 4:24pm

Cathal_91 wrote: »

can anyone tell me what documents i will need : age card, letter to prove adress, parents p60? or what do i need to show them my parents income?

Age card AND birth cert, a bill from your parents and a note from them confirming you live there, and a current payslip from them. If you have a bank account, i'd bring a statement (even just to show there's nothing in it if need be!)

eastbono · 27-04-2011 6:27pm

Age card will not do. Passport or long version of birth cert are the primary IDs accepted by SW.

Cathal_91 · 27-04-2011 8:26pm

thanks alot eddie for the reply read no. 8 on this link

http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Pages/jajbfaq.aspx#q8

The following documents may also be acceptable: Credit or Debit Card; Medical Card, Age ID Card, Work ID Card, Club Membership Card.

The following items are not accepted as proof of identity:

Birth or Baptismal certificates
Bills or personal letters

ill pop over and ask them what exactly i need first anyway, i got a feelin my parents make too much, i dont wanna get the dole, im 19 and believe me its very hard to find a job in my town. anyway thanks for the reply, ill let ya's know how it goes

eastbono · 27-04-2011 9:08pm

Age ID card may be acceptable... if you do not have a passport or driving licence... some sw offices may ask you to go to your garda station with a passport photo proving who you are if you do not have a passport or driving licence.

Heads up on means test for claimants with working spouse/cohabitant

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