Claiming while working?

Kotek Besar

Quick question on behalf of my mother-in-law.

She's made a claim for JA which is pending (*we think* she's awaiting the means test).

Anyway, while searching for work every day and applying frantically for any suitable jobs going, she's also advertised herself in the local paper, as a woman available to come round and clean the house, do the ironing, that kind of thing.

So, she received her first call today, from a lady who'd like her to come round and do some cleaning. She's to go between 2 and 5pm and I reckon the lady will probably give her €20 / €25 for it.

Now, mum-in-law wants to keep everything legal and above board, and inform the social that she'll be earning today, and so between 2 and 5pm today she'll have not been a job seeker.

Question is, how would she go about doing that? Would she have to fill out a form, or should she just phone the social welfare office?

Also, I believe she'd also have to pay PRSI on the €20 or so earned, right? How would she go about doing that, would she have to register as being self-employed?

Apologies if this all seems silly - but she doesn't want to do anything unlawful or get into trouble.

IsThatSo?

Um, not the point of the thread but..............€20/25 is very little for 3 hours work, and housework can be hard graft............she should be charging at least €12 an hour.....................no point in her being taken for a ride either, cos thats what people will do

Get her to check out local rates and set her rate accordingly.

Kotek Besar

Thanks, IsThatSo? I do agree with you but you know, minimum wage being €8.65 and all that, and that's gross, too.

To be honest with you, I'm not, and neither is mother-in-law too comfortable about her cleaning houses while claiming JA, without informing the Social Welfare office.

I think I'm going to give them a ring later and make enquiries as to how to declare the income / pay PRSI on it.

I know it's only €20, and when you take into account bus fare it's even less (she could fly but broomstick's out of order), but last thing she wants to do is cheat the system.

patrickc

i've unapproved some until i get clarifaction around them....

Kotek Besar

Ah right, I understand. Thanks chaps.

Mrs OBumble

benifa wrote: »

she's also advertised herself in the local paper, as a woman available to come round and clean the house, do the ironing, that kind of thing.

This sounds remarkably like self-employment to me.

She is not entitled to JB if she's receiving any income from self-employment. May still be entitled to (some) JA, but it may change the means test results.

I would suggest contacting (probably visiting I'm afraid) the welfare office and asking them what would be the consequences if she undertook work like that. Make it future tense (ie what if) rather than past tense (ie this happened).