Advice please

Morzadec

Hi I am pretty ignorant as to what I am entitled to regarding state benefits so I was looking for some info/help/advice cheers....

I am 21 and currently coming to the end of my college course. Through the last 4 years in college I have worked a minimum wage job in a bookshop. I'm living at home so the 12 hours or so a week I work is enough to get me by. Receive no additional financial support from the parents other than roof over my head and food. I would work close to full time in the summer and Christmas, so would earn roughly €7500 a year on average (in case this is relevant regarding PRSI payments).


Lately (due to the recession and some mis-management regarding staff numbers) I have been receiving less hours. While I would usually get quite a few hours in the summer, I can't see myself getting more than 2 days a week and that's if I'm lucky. I plan to look for a new job but prospects aren't exactly great.

So my question is, come May, once I have completed my degree am I entitled to the dole? (Because I will be better off on it than working) Also I heard somebody talking about some scheme where you can get paid a set amount for those days during the week that you are not working, a kind of half work/half dole type deal. Does anyone know anything about this?


What do people reckon my best option is? I would really appreciate any info, Thanks a lot.

artyeva

search here first, then talk to the citizens advice office nearest you.

you may be eligible to apply for jobseekers assistance, or at least claim it for the days you are not working. it's means tested though.