Postgrad Student, entitled to dole?

helpmeplease

I graduated from college last year, then started a postgraduate course. On holidays at the moment. I'm looking everywhere for work but to no avail. (I worked as a sub teacher from last september to december because my course didnt start until January. Obviously I can't go sub teaching during the summer!!). I don't know what to do now though, I'm down to my last few euro. Is it possible to claim dole even though I'm going back to college in september?

cinneide

If you're honestly looking for work, there is no reason why you can't claim the dole until you find it. That's what I did anyway, when I was in a similar position.

However, the fact that you know that you won't actually be looking for a job puts things in a slightly different perspective - you could probably still get away with claiming, but you'll have to deal with the moral quandries and (remote) legal consequences that come with it...

helpmeplease

I'm actively looking for summer work at the minute though.
Is there such a thing as ''stamps'' (or something like that!). A friend mentioned it but I don't know anything about it and can't find any info either. Is it linked to PRSI? I tried looking at the welfare website but it has just confused me further:o:o

popebenny16

helpmeplease wrote: »

I'm actively looking for summer work at the minute though.
Is there such a thing as ''stamps'' (or something like that!). A friend mentioned it but I don't know anything about it and can't find any info either. Is it linked to PRSI? I tried looking at the welfare website but it has just confused me further:o:o

"Stamps" are the good old name for PRSI credits. You get them for every week you work and amassing enough of them entitles you to claim Social Welfare Benefits as opposed to Allowances, which are means tested.

They also help you with free optical and dental services.

As posted above, if you are on an payment you must be able to prove you are activly seeking work.

ProjectColossus

Rather than start an new thread, I thought I'd work with this one.

Basically I'm in a similar position, I have just completed a 4 year college degree, and I am due to start a post graduate course in September. In the meantime however, I have been unable to find work, and I am struggling to make rent payments among other things.

I have formally applied for work (admittedly, only two jobs) and I am making informal inquiries about other possible short term work. What really annoys me is that one of the interviews I "passed" (aced it to be honest) but since I had rescheduled the interview and was one of the last people interviewed, all the training slots for the particular job had been filled already. The second job is supposed to contact me, and I'm currently waiting on that, and at this stage I don't think I would be accepted if I could only work until the end of August.

So my problem is that the fact that I will be unavailable in September is making it difficult to find "summer" work.

Am I entitled to any benefits? Are there any other possible details I should mention?

All help and suggestions appreciated.

Shiny

Well when you are applying for social welfare they ask you if you plan
to continue your education in the comming year.
So if you were continuing, then you would be lying to them while making
your application. They ask you this question during your 'interview'.

orchidsrpretty

I was talking to the socail welfare about this as well. Claiming benefits during the summer months. She told me that I wouldn't be able to apply for it as I would still be in Full-time Education.

Mrs. MacGyver

if your degree is finished and you are starting a post grad in september then you are between courses and are not in fulltime education for that sumer so you can sign on if you satisfy the qualifying conditions