Broke leg, lost job, what to do?

MikeCork2009 · 14-06-2009 11:17pm #1

I finished college last year and couldnt find a job so ended up on the dole (for what I thought would be a couple of weeks tops). Eight months later, many many cvs sent out and many fruitless trips to Dublin & London to meet firms and recruiters I got a chance. After 8 months on the dole, and having felt like throwing in the towel many times, I kept going and finally managed to get a job in Dublin...prob was it was only for 3 months and was only an internship but hey it was a job and a start (experience etc) It felt like such a gr8 achievement ringing up the dole and saying "I got a job, I'd like to sign off!!" I started my job in Dublin but after 4 weeks disaster struck....I broke my leg. Doctor tells me I will be off it for about 6 weeks. The company I worked for said it was no good me hobbling around for 6 weeks on crutches and by the time I would be better again my internship would basically be up so I was better to just to go home to Cork. What can I now do? I have no job and I can't work cos of my broken leg so can't apply for jobseekers benefit. What kind of benefit can I claim? I have debt obligations to meet (some taken out ironically to go work in Dublin) as well as living expenses. It's all so depressing

jaffa20 · 14-06-2009 11:22pm

I'm sure there's some sort of temporary disability benefit as you would be unfit for work. Then you would go onto normal dole when finished. I'm sure it's the same amount anyway. Don't worry. Contact the sw office asap and they'll advise.

cee_jay · 14-06-2009 11:29pm

As you are not fit to work, you will need to claim Illness benefit - you will be sending in certs from your doctor every week. You will need to go to your doctor and get the your first cert to open your claim - he will have this form and needs to complete part of it.
http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Schemes/IllnessDisabilityAndCaring/Illness/IllnessBenefit/Pages/ib.aspx

Broke leg, lost job, what to do?

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