Taking holidays from the dole

axer

I have heard of such a thing. What is the procedure and rules for doing such?

NeoRox

According to welfare.ie you are entitled to two weeks holidays and notice must be given in advance.

HTH

20 Times 20 Times

What does holidays from the dole mean ?

Bluetonic

DundalkStephen wrote: »

What does holidays from the dole mean ?

Working for two weeks

I presume it mean being allowed to leave the country whilst claiming either unemployment benefit or unemployment assistance. The rules of both state you must be available and seeking work, something of which you won't be if your on holidays. The two weeks holiday allows you to be away on collection or signing date and not miss your payment.

Even people looking for employment need a break.

Doop

I've done it before, it sounds bizzare but it works and makes sense, you just have to let them know, from what i can recall you get a reduced amount for the 2 weeks, but i may be mistaken, was about 2-3 yrs ago i did it.

Mrs. MacGyver

No you get your normal payment and you get it when you return from holidays.

Our man in Havana

Bluetonic wrote: »

Working for two weeks

I presume it mean being allowed to leave the country whilst claiming either unemployment benefit or unemployment assistance. The rules of both state you must be available and seeking work, something of which you won't be if your on holidays. The two weeks holiday allows you to be away on collection or signing date and not miss your payment.

Even people looking for employment need a break.

The cute way around that was to arrange your holidays around your signing date. Have your money paid into the bank and no one was the wiser for your holiday. Of course they have copped on to that if you a newbie collector. :eek:

They do pay 2 weeks at the full rate. Now they do get a little narky if you say you are going outside the EU.

thairish86

i was planning on going to thailand for 26 days in june im on job seekers allowance and will probably miss a sign on day the last time i was signing on the guy said i was entileted to 2weeks pay but the other days i was away i wouldn be paid just had to tell them a week or 2 before i went i dont want to have to sign on again as i will only get 150 a week as a new applicant bcos im 24 any body and experience with this cheers

Balagan

http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Pages/jajbfaq.aspx#q18

A person may receive Jobseeker's Benefit or Jobseeker's Allowance for 2 weeks holidays (i.e. 12 days excluding Sundays) in any calendar year. These holidays may be taken abroad.

The person is required to inform the Local Office 2 weeks in advance of their departure and to complete form UP 30. All holiday payments should be made retrospectively, upon confirmation of the position when the person signs on again (on the next normal signing day after their return). If a person goes on holiday for longer than 2 weeks, they may be paid in respect of the first two weeks, but should not receive payment for any period abroad in excess of this.

The qualified adult of a person in receipt of Jobseeker's Benefit may take up to 2 weeks foreign holiday. A disqualification in respect of the increase for a qualified adult should be imposed in respect of any period in excess of 2 weeks. It is not necessary for a UP30 to be completed in respect of a qualified adult.

SuomiJohn

Does anyone know what the limit is on taking holidays?

I know that you get paid a maximum of two weeks in any given year and any time taken after that is not paid which is fair enough.

I can´t seem to find much information on it, so it would be great to hear from someone with first hand experience. My girlfriend lives abroad so I would like to know if its frowned upon to be leaving the country, say three times a year?

Jay Walker

Hi,

I hope the OP doesn't mind me jumping on this thread. I too would like to know about my own similar situation. I have nearly a month booked in South East Asia this summer. Visiting a friend in Vietnam and doing some travelling. Should I just be upfront with the staff at the Social Welfare Office? Does anyone know if this means I will have to sign off for that time?

Thanks.

ButtercupTheCow

I am in a similar situation to Jay Walker. I hope to go away for 3-4 weeks to see if I can get work abroad. I understand that I will only get paid for 2 weeks, I just want to know if I can stay away for longer than that and still be entitled to the Job Seeker's benefit if I have to come home.

axer

ButtercupTheCow wrote: »

I am in a similar situation to Jay Walker. I hope to go away for 3-4 weeks to see if I can get work abroad. I understand that I will only get paid for 2 weeks, I just want to know if I can stay away for longer than that and still be entitled to the Job Seeker's benefit if I have to come home.

If you are going abroad in the EU you can transfer your Job Seeker's benefit to that country for up to 3 months.

robinph

I left the country, and EU, for 5 weeks last year, told them about it before hand. When I came back I was paid for two of those weeks at my next payment.

vector

axer wrote: »

If you are going abroad in the EU you can transfer your Job Seeker's benefit to that country for up to 3 months.

Transferring a pension is fine, but Jobseekers? The mechanics of it must be huge, the SW office in Ireland would probably want to know which EU country, which town, and then when you get there you'll have to find the place, and of course (in my example we are in France) it will be in another language...

I like the idea, has anyone tried it?

Our man in Havana

It can be done. As you say the logistics would be a nightmare.

axer

vector wrote: »

Transferring a pension is fine, but Jobseekers? The mechanics of it must be huge, the SW office in Ireland would probably want to know which EU country, which town, and then when you get there you'll have to find the place, and of course (in my example we are in France) it will be in another language...

I like the idea, has anyone tried it?

Yes, my Girlfriend moved her Job Seekers Benefit from Germany to Ireland about a year ago while she was looking for a job. You just get the social welfare office to fill out form e301 or e304 (one is for job seekers and I think the other is for the dole -something like that).

Welcome to the EU!

EDIT:

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/employment/migrant-workers/coming_from_EU_to_work
If you are unemployed, your unemployment benefit in the country you are leaving may be transferred after you have been receiving it for 4 weeks. Under EU Regulations you can ask for it to be transferred to Ireland and you should bring a copy of the form E303 with details of your payment. You must, of course, comply with the rules for getting benefit in the country that you are leaving. When you arrive in Ireland, you should sign on at your local social welfare office - see 'Where to apply' below. You may then receive your benefit for 13 weeks (up to 26 weeks in some cases). You get the same benefit as you would get if you stayed in the country you have left. You are entitled to medical card services in Ireland while you are receiving unemployment benefit from the other country.

After 13 weeks have expired, you will be in the normal Irish social welfare system. In order to qualify for benefits in Ireland, you need to get a job and pay at least one Class A PRSI contribution. At this point, your contributions from the other country you worked in may be added to your Irish contribution(s) to help you qualify for benefits.

When you are coming to Ireland you should bring a record of your contributions on Forms E301 and E104 from the social security institution in the country you are leaving. These forms will help speed up the payment of benefits under EU Regulations.

The above is about coming to Ireland but it is pretty much the same rules for going to another country in the EU too. Also you get paid the Irish amount in the other country, not the native amount which would probably be considerably less. The point of it all is that you can move to another country and get 3 months to settle and get a job.

Jay Walker

robinph wrote: »

I left the country, and EU, for 5 weeks last year, told them about it before hand. When I came back I was paid for two of those weeks at my next payment.

And you didn't have to sign off?? I am asking this as I would need to be consistently on the dole until September when I want to apply for Back to Education Allowance. Hence I wouldn't want to sign off.

robinph

Jay Walker wrote: »

And you didn't have to sign off?? I am asking this as I would need to be consistently on the dole until September when I want to apply for Back to Education Allowance. Hence I wouldn't want to sign off.

Not for those 5 weeks I didn't, but I'm not sure how long they leave the claim open for.

Our man in Havana

I'm not sure how long they leave the claim open for.

That is the main problem. It also seems to vary from office to office.

center15

From reading this I'm gathering one can take 2 weeks hols that will be paid for but anything over that will not be paid?

robinph

center15 wrote: »

From reading this I'm gathering one can take 2 weeks hols that will be paid for but anything over that will not be paid?

Yes.

However, depending on the length of time over the two weeks that you are still away for they may close your claim and you'll then have to start all over again with the process when you return. For me they left my claim open for three weeks, in addition to the two paid week that I was also away on that trip, but they didn't leave it open for the three months that I was away on a separate trip. The new claim was setup again within a couple of weeks though the second time round.

ButtercupTheCow

axer wrote: »

he above is about coming to Ireland but it is pretty much the same rules for going to another country in the EU too. Also you get paid the Irish amount in the other country, not the native amount which would probably be considerably less. The point of it all is that you can move to another country and get 3 months to settle and get a job.

Oh wow I didn't know you only had to be on the dole for 4 weeks! So I could move to England and see if I have better luck there!

-=al=-

Hey, done a search and came across this thread which I'm in a similar situation... Also going abroad for a vacation outside fo the EU for 4 weeks this Summer

Just wana double check that what I have to do is go into the local office and explain I'll miss one welfare office sign on and that I'm leaving for 4 weeks and I will have a form to fill in?

I applied for a fás course for when I come back after the trip should I mention this or anything or just go in and explain I'll be away for 4 weeks and ask for the form?

thx

Merch

Is it a big deal? do they ask where you're going, got something last minute
cant find the form UP 30?

robinph

It's not a big deal at all. I think the form they gave me did say something about where I was going, but just put down approximate location and that it is for holidays and they are fine with it. Most of the questions seemed to be to do with if you were going abroad to represent the country in some sporting event.

Going for 4 weeks shouldn't be a problem, you'l just only get paid the dole for two of those weeks on your return.

CamperMan

thairish86 wrote: »

i was planning on going to thailand for 26 days in june im on job seekers allowance and will probably miss a sign on day the last time i was signing on the guy said i was entileted to 2weeks pay but the other days i was away i wouldn be paid just had to tell them a week or 2 before i went i dont want to have to sign on again as i will only get 150 a week as a new applicant bcos im 24 any body and experience with this cheers

amazing how people can afford to go on holidays with what they get on Job Seekers Allowance.... right, me thinks it's time to go on the dole and relax with exotic holidays in Thailand

Our man in Havana

Jealous much?

TheQ47

robinph wrote: »

Most of the questions seemed to be to do with if you were going abroad to represent the country in some sporting event.

There's a special exemption if you're going abroad to represent Ireland in a sporting event, per the guidelines:

Absence from the State

A person shall be disqualified from receiving JA while s/he is resident, whether temporarily or permanently, outside the State.
There are two exceptions to this disqualification :
Holidays Abroad

(a) A person may receive JA for 2 weeks holidays (i.e. 12 days excluding Sundays) in any calendar year. These holidays may be taken abroad.
S/he is required to inform the Local Office 2 weeks in advance of his/her departure and to complete the form UP 30. All holiday payments should be made retrospectively, upon confirmation of the position when the person signs on again (on the next normal signing day after his/her return). If a person goes on holiday for longer than 2 weeks, s/he may be paid in respect of the first two weeks, but should be disqualified for any period abroad in excess of this.
International Sporting Events

(b) The disqualification [i.e., for not signing] shall not apply in respect of any period during which a person is representing Ireland at an international sporting event in an amateur capacity.
There is no limit on the amount of time that a person may spend abroad engaged in such a sporting activities, but only periods of actual competition are covered. Training abroad is not covered, except in respect of final preparation and acclimatisation immediately preceding the competition.
An international event in this context means a competition such as the Olympics, Special Olympics, Para-Olympics World or European competitions where the participants are formally representing their countries. The mere presence of athletes from various countries does not make it an international event.
Form UP 30 must be completed 2 weeks in advance.

robinph

CamperMan wrote: »

amazing how people can afford to go on holidays with what they get on Job Seekers Allowance.... right, me thinks it's time to go on the dole and relax with exotic holidays in Thailand

Are you not allowed to spend any money then when on the dole? What if you have a holiday booked from before you ended up on the dole? What if you happen to have a bit of other spare cash lying about and decide to spend that on yourself to cheer yourself up from what is a very depressing position to be in? etc...

CamperMan

robinph wrote: »

Are you not allowed to spend any money then when on the dole? What if you have a holiday booked from before you ended up on the dole? What if you happen to have a bit of other spare cash lying about and decide to spend that on yourself to cheer yourself up from what is a very depressing position to be in? etc...

no.. dole should only be given to the very needy, you should NOT be able to afford luxuries on the dole

Our man in Havana

You pay into a fund to pay the dole. Your entitled to collect when the time comes.

CamperMan

Haddockman wrote: »

You pay into a fund to pay the dole. Your entitled to collect when the time comes.

that's odd, I am self employed, I pay my taxes but when I needed to get some dole money after breaking my ankle in January (I could not work for 3 months) I was told to feck off by the welfare system, the most I got out of them was a medical card :mad:

uoluol

CamperMan wrote: »

that's odd, I am self employed, I pay my taxes but when I needed to get some dole money after breaking my ankle in January (I could not work for 3 months) I was told to feck off by the welfare system, the most I got out of them was a medical card :mad:

As a self employed person, you do not pay PRSI (A Class). Therefore you cannot make a claim for Illness Benefit. Most self employed people have (expensive) insurance policies to cover illness and accidents. Unfortunately its just the way the system works, if you don't pay the contribution, you can't claim.

slackerdude

Can anyone explain how we can justify a welfare system which pays teachers and others who are temporarily laid off for the summer months when they have no intention of seeking work? Teachers and others who treat this period as an extended holiday shouldn't receive dole payments. Apologies to those who genuinely seek work during June, July and August but I think that most people in this employment category don't. I'm a worker who is laid off each summer and while I claim when I'm off I've never felt right about doing it as I'm not going to look for work when I'm only off for two months. None of my colleagues see any problem with this and I'd be a fool to pass up this money when everyone else is doing the same. I just feel that this is a cosy arrangement which has been tolerated for far too long where the welfare office 'pretends' that the teacher or seasonal worker is genuinely looking for work and pays them for doing nothing all summer or for whatever part of the summer applies to them. Perhaps the solution would be to oblige someone to work for their welfare payment and I would have no problem with that. Even an arrangement whereby everyone in receipt of welfare must work 10 hours in a community setting such as with a voluntary body or helping the local county council by working on the roads or collecting litter. In short, a government appointed group should be given the immediate task of drawing up a list of suitable jobs from which each welfare applicant could choose when filling out the form. Surely a meagre 10 hours work is not too much of a burden to expect from those in receipt of summer dole. Incidentally, I have happy memories of working on the student summer job scheme with people with mental and physical handicaps.

robinph

Teachers don't get paid during the summer?

I thought they still got their salarys as per usual, just didn't have to do anything?

monkeypants

I'm doing a walk for charity later this year. Will not be leaving the country, but I'll be away from Dublin for at least a week. This'll be handy, but with luck I'll have a job by then.

monkeypants

As far as I know, teachers get paid for the days/months that they work and it is then divided and paid out over twelve months. I don't know any teachers who claim the dole as they're still employed. Maybe it's a sub teacher who's doing it? I'm not sure of the rules, but since they're not employed full time by a school, they may be entitled.

I agree that the school holidays are very long, but that was put in place to suit the kids and parents rather than teachers.

slackerdude

The reason I mentioned teachers is that when I was in the welfare office a few summers ago, a woman at one of the hatches asked that if there were any teachers (clearly this only relates to temporary or substitute teachers who are laid off each summer and not to those with permanent contracts) there as then their summer claim would be dealt with at a specific counter. While I am not a teacher but work in an academic setting, the procedure is essentially the same. The employer writes a letter and fills in a form to give to the welfare office and your claim is dealt with at a specific counter. My point is that very few people who fall into the summer layoff category will ever bother to apply for jobs as they are happy to avail of the long break from work. If that is the case, then the system should be such that any welfare payment awarded to them for the summer months they are off should come with the condition that they work for a short period in a work environment of their choosing based on a list drawn up by a government appointed body. Otherwise this is an unnecessary cost to the state which yields nothing in return.

rupertbear

slackerdude wrote: »

Can anyone explain how we can justify a welfare system which pays teachers and others who are temporarily laid off for the summer months when they have no intention of seeking work? Teachers and others who treat this period as an extended holiday shouldn't receive dole payments.

Are you a teacher because you must be aware if you are of the absurd difficulties teachers face in this country in getting any kind of a full-time, or even part-time contracted position. I am a young (relatively), qualified (1st class honours degree and 2/1 PGDE with Grade 1 in TP) Teacher who really has been left with no choice but to leave this country next year as the chances of getting a job are so slim. I worked so hard this year trying to get work subbing, doing grinds etc, and feel I'm as entitled as anyone else to claim social welfare during the summer. I havent been able to save enough to live out the summer without. Why shouldn't I claim? have you not noticed that there are no jobs to look for? I mean by your logic then shouldn't the builders and tradesmen who made thousands a week during the celtic tiger now not claim during this down time. If I could work, if this state acknowledged its failings and pulled the public service system (health and education) apart from top down, then I gladly would.

rupertbear

robinph wrote: »

Teachers don't get paid during the summer?

I thought they still got their salarys as per usual, just didn't have to do anything

A teacher, full time, gets a yearly salary based on qualifications, years of service etc. This is paid based on the hours worked. Naturally for convenience this is divided to be paid in equal installments. Teachers do not get paid for work they haven't done. Teaching, per hour, is highly paid, and there is a reason for that if one is doing their job properly.

rupertbear

CamperMan wrote: »

amazing how people can afford to go on holidays with what they get on Job Seekers Allowance.... right, me thinks it's time to go on the dole and relax with exotic holidays in Thailand

Why does this amaze you? Honestly are you living in the same country as the rest of us? entitlement and need are different issues.

robinph

rupertbear wrote: »

A teacher, full time, gets a yearly salary based on qualifications, years of service etc. This is paid based on the hours worked. Naturally for convenience this is divided to be paid in equal installments. Teachers do not get paid for work they haven't done. Teaching, per hour, is highly paid, and there is a reason for that if one is doing their job properly.

Teachers are not "out of work" though during the summer holidays, they just happen to not be doing any at the time.

monkeypants

rupertbear wrote: »

Teaching, per hour, is highly paid, and there is a reason for that if one is doing their job properly.

Always amazes me the stick that teachers get over their salary. They're only looking after your kids each day, educating them and trying to set them up for a decent start in life.

Brendygg

Broke my hand and am off work, applied and should get the sick.

Im on my second week off and im thinking of goin on holiday next week for 2 weeks, ill miss handing in a cert(mc2) one of these weeks, will this affect me after the holiday?

Any one know wat options i have? thanks

vicecreamsundae

I don't get my JSB into my bank account, i'm one of the newbies that has to pick it up in person every week. i'm going to be in toronto for a couple weeks, and i know i'm entitled to two weeks without picking up my dole and that, once i go in and fill out the UP30 first, they will give me those two weeks payments when i get back.
just wondering if you need to call into the social welfare office in person to confirm when you arrive back from holidays?
say for example i arrive back in ireland on wednesday, but [as usual] my JSB wont be at the post office until friday ..how do they know im not on holidays until friday and therefore should be docked two days JSB?

or do they pretty much take your word for it when you are leaving/coming back, as long as you're there to pick up your JSB on the third friday?

tenchi-fan

Wanting a Vacation for the Vacation from Their Paid Vacation
http://stuffunemployedpeoplelike.com/2009/08/05/131-wanting-a-vacation-for-the-vacation-from-their-paid-vacation/

Basically, it's taking a vacation from their paid vacation... which leaves them so tired they need a vacation. Brilliant!

Rocksteadykk

I was also wondering this? I just called into my local office and got the forms off of them. Theres a space on the form to fill in the date that I must attend at my local signing centre when I get back....just wondering if i'll have to sign on twice next month if thats the case. I wont be missing my signing date I will be unable to collect my money the week that I'm gone. My signing date will be the week before I go. So what Im wondering is whether or not I'll have to call into the dole office when I get back or just go to the Post office to collect a double payment? Any information would be greatly appreciated.

I dont know why people begrudge others for wanting to go on a holiday. I saved and scrimped this money together for the past 9 months while working so I feel like its something that I deserve, regardless of whether or not I lost my job recently. So I'll enjoy my holiday while I can afford to have one. My savings from work wont last much longer and we all know the dole isnt exactly a fortune to live off. Thanks very much!

mossy464

Im currently claiming JB, im heading away on the 14th of July for about 5 weeks interailing around europe.

I know i'll be entitled to the first two weeks payment and not the rest but will I have to re-apply when I come back or can I just resume my payments?

slackerdude

One of the difficulties I have with the dole system is that temporary workers who are laid off for two months or less simply sign on for that period without having any intention of seeking work (and work of course is very hard to secure these days anyway) so jobseekers benefit or allowance is an inaccurate description of the payment, holiday allowance would be more accurate as this is what such people use it for. My broader point would be that we need to scrap the terms used to describe this payment as a significant minority in receipt of this have never sought a job but were happy to live off the state. The vast majority who do seek work are unsuccessful as jobs these days are thin on the ground. I think it should simply be renamed unemployment assistance with the condition that 10 hours voluntary service would have to be carried out to avail of this money. Charities are crying out for support these days and this would seem to me to be an excellent way of addressing this problem. Jobseeking should be done on your own time and not be paid for by the state. Those who take up courses offered should be given an additional payment in recognition of their efforts to upskill themselves and gain a competitive advantage in the precarious job market.

snorlax

hey everyone..quick question if im going abroad for 3days and am due to pick up my dole on the Tuesday but won't be back till friday..is it still okay to pick it up saturday or do I have to let the dole office know?
The lady at the post office said they keep your payment for 6days after your due pay date, can anyone verify this? aplogises as I recently lost my job and dont know how these things work. Thanks for reading this.