Means test for Jobseekers Allowance

binhead

Hello,

I have a question re above.. with Jobseekers Allowance when you are means tested, if your partner earns a high wage is it possible that you will be entitled to nothing? Or will you just get a greatly reduced amount?


And if so, does it matter that my partner and I have completely separate financial lives or are you still treated like a married couple? (we live together but everything else is separate)

Thanks.

Xiney

binhead wrote: »

Hello,

I have a question re above.. with Jobseekers Allowance when you are means tested, if your partner earns a high wage is it possible that you will be entitled to nothing? Or will you just get a greatly reduced amount?


And if so, does it matter that my partner and I have completely separate financial lives or are you still treated like a married couple? (we live together but everything else is separate)

Thanks.

If your partner is on a very high wage (probably around the 600/wk mark) then you may not be entitled to anything via Jobseeker's Allowance.

I'd say you'd have to prove that you have been living totally financially separate lives, but even then... I don't know if they would accept that.

brianon

Sorry to hijack (but its very similar)...

You mention 600p/w. I was looking on ... http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/social-welfare/social-welfare-payments

...but I can't seem to find an actual amount that would indicate at what income a spouse could earn before the unemployed partner would not be entitled to JA. We have one income and Jobseekers Benefit will finish soon. I have no idea if my wife will then be entitled to JA once the JB finishes.

Xiney

Here is the info on spousal income + JA

I just made the attached excel spreadsheet - although it contains inelegant if functions. Just ignore the stuff in grey and change the stuff in black and it will give you what you might be eligible for in red. I'm no expert though and I'm not even talking out of experience (yet) since I'm still waiting for my means test.

According to the spreadsheet, which is based on the above link, if your spouse earns around 664 euro per week, that's the cut off (although just below it you'd only be eligible for a euro or two per week so it'd only be worth it if you're trying to get into FAS courses for free - singing on just for stamps doesn't count for that)

Edit: I also added a part where you can put in the date you signed on and see how much backdated pay is owed to you as of today.

brianon

cheers for that.

construct06

excel attachment is good but is there a mistake in it?

the qualified adult allowance is not reduced for the spouse working.

Eg. a spouse can earn up to €310 and a reduced qualofied allowance is given but if she earns more than €310 then no qualified adult allowance is given.

See example from spreadsheet below and modified example after it which illustrates the difference.

Example from spreadsheet above

---

spouse's gross weekly income €550.00
prsi (< 352 pw) FALSE
prsi (352 - 500 pw) FALSE FALSE prsi (> 500 pw) €30.46
superannuation €0.00
union dues €0.00



net income €519.54
disregard 20 x 3 €60.00
total €459.54
weekly means (60% total) €275.72
means (rounded) €276.00



personal rate €204.30
QA €135.60
Total €339.90
Amount payable €63.90

Modified Example

---

spouse's gross weekly income €550.00
prsi (< 352 pw) FALSE
prsi (352 - 500 pw) FALSE FALSE prsi (> 500 pw) €30.46
superannuation €0.00
union dues €0.00



net income €519.54
disregard 20 x 3 €60.00
total €459.54
weekly means (60% total) €275.72
means (rounded) €276.00



personal rate €204.30
QA €0
Total €339.90
Amount payable NOT ELIGIBLE

construct06

revised spreadsheet for jobseekers allowance, including for spouses earnings

fordcapri

I think your calculation is wrong.. Check your gross against your net income.. I see your point though, and Thanks to all for posting this info, it was helpful.

fordcapri

Thanks. Very helpful.

Xiney

construct06 wrote: »

revised spreadsheet for jobseekers allowance, including for spouses earnings

I'm pretty sure that's wrong. For starters it says I'm not eligible, and I am.

construct06

fordcapri: the nett result is calculated as the gross less prsi only, other deductions are not included....

ive changed it to keep the full rate qualified adult allowance, but im still not sure whether you are entitled to full rate or a reduced rate based on the spouses earnings. EG. if under €100, full rate of €135.60 and reducing for spouses earnings up to €310 and €0 if spouse earning >€310....

Xiney

There, that one looks more along the lines of right. Although it's essentially the same as the one I put up :P

I'm pretty sure the full qualified adult rate is added on regardless of partner's earnings - that's what the rest of the means test is for.

lizzymc09

Hi, was wondering if some one could work out de means on my partners income dis wks wages was 474.19 gross prsi was 13.89 ( his wages go up and down every wk with over-time) we have two kids too are thay taken into account too:)

crystalzephyr

Hi there, anyone be able to put up an updated version of the "jobseeker's allowance - spouse's means.xls"?