Co-habiting, €10/wk, pee'd off

katie86 wrote: »

Hi All,
Im 23 and living with my boyfriend. I finished college in May and worked until the end of December when my contract ended. When i called to the dole office i discovered i didn't have enough PRSI contributions from last year to qualify for jobseekers benefit, so have been 'means tested' for Jobseekers Allowance.

It turns out I'm only entitled to about €10 a week, as my boyfriends salary was taken into account and he is now expected to support me, he earns about €600 a week. However none of his outgoings were means tested, child maintenance, car loan, bills,rent, pension etc., so how can they know he's able to support me?. I'm entitled to no rent allowance either.

The welfare officer told me I was "lucky" to have an income coming into the household at all. I expalined to him that I was entitled to none of my boyfriends income, and that in no way was he obliged to support me. When I did work I payed half of everything.

As I'm 23, to the best of my knowledge, even if I go to live with my Mum, her income will be taken into account and the 'benefit and privilege criteria' will come into play.

I feel like the welfare are trying to pawn me off to whoever I can sponge off, and as an Irish citizen I feel they are completley ignoring my dignity.

I feel there is something very wrong with the system, and that my age group in my situation have fallen through the cracks.

I'm heading back to the welfare office in the morn too clarify everything so will keep u posted.

Is there anyone else in a similar situation to myself, and has anyone taken it to their local TDs etc.?

Thanks for reading,Any advice is appreciated!