How much is the dole and how do I sign on?

Fionn MacCool

Never done this before so any help is appreciated.

I'll be moving back to Éire in September and looking for a job. Until I do so I'll be signing on. I'm 20 years of age and won't be living with my parents (they don't even live in the country), I'm from the UK but have an Irish passport (which says Nationality: Irish for some reason?). Am eligible for Job Seekers and if so, how much is it and how often are payments?

Many thanks

peanuthead

have you ever worked here in Ireland? If not you will be means tested afaik, but anyway, you need to go down to your local social welfare office and tell them what you just told us. They will give you the relevant forms and get the ball rolling

Be aware that nowadays a 3 hour wait at the office is normal. Offices open at 9.30 but queuing outside them starts from 8am

Fionn MacCool

peanuthead wrote: »

have you ever worked here in Ireland? If not you will be means tested afaik, but anyway, you need to go down to your local social welfare office and tell them what you just told us. They will give you the relevant forms and get the ball rolling

Be aware that nowadays a 3 hour wait at the office is normal. Offices open at 9.30 but queuing outside them starts from 8am

Yeah I worked last year from about May but was let go. I have a PPS number (though I can't remebmer it) and I suppose I'll have to get a P45 or something from my old employer? I don't see

Can anyone give me a general indication as to how much I can expect to receive?

peanuthead

Fionn MacCool wrote: »

Yeah I worked last year from about May but was let go. I have a PPS number (though I can't remebmer it) and I suppose I'll have to get a P45 or something from my old employer? I don't see

Can anyone give me a general indication as to how much I can expect to receive?

well, if you're approved, you will get 204. something. a week. its 204 euro, and about 30something cent in change. This will take 6-8 weeks to come through and will be back-dated from your day of application. And is handed to you in cash, so hooray to you.

You will need the p45 from the employer, but there is more than likely a rake of other forms you will need to get so maybe get a friend (a good one, as they will have to be willing to queue for 3 hours) to go down and find out exactly what someone in your situation needs to do, so you can maybe get some of this organised before you get home

jeckle

Yes, you would really need to enquire your self or get someone to enquire on your behalf as to what you may be entitled to, as yours is not a run-of-the-mill type application.

There is a Habitual Residence Condition that you should have a look at – I don’t know how that would affect you.

You say you have worked here, so depending on the amount of paid contributions you have, you may be entitled to claim Jobseekers Benefit I’m not sure if you would have to claim Supplementary Welfare Allowance or Jobseekers Allowance

Also, since the Budget last April the maximum rates of payment for both JA & SWA were reduced to €100 per week for people who were under 20 on 1st May 2009, so I don’t know if this affects you or not either. If you are entitled to either of these payments you would of course be entitled to rent allowance, medical card etc

Details on how/where to apply are all on the welfare.ie website.

Have a look at the site – &, as I said you really need to enquire about your individual situation.

Xiney

It's unlikely you will have enough PRSI contributions for Jobseeker's Benefit.

You will therefore be applying for Jobseeker's Allowance. You are 20 so you are not affected by the cuts to payments to those under 20.

The Habitual Residence Condition also does not apply to you because if you were in the UK you were in the Common Travel Area so it's as if you were living in Ireland.

dlambirl

Why come to ireland when you know work is scarce and hard to get??
Why not look for a job first before coming??

ronkmonster

dlambirl wrote: »

Why come to ireland when you know work is scarce and hard to get??
Why not look for a job first before coming??

better dole here isn't there :rolleyes:

lmahoney79

well seeing as his main question was "how much will i get on the dole here" I would say thats what he is interested in. Joke.

peanuthead

Well, you know, my opinion on it, however dodgy it may be, is that if you are entering Ireland (Irish or not, but most often not) and haven't contributed to this society you should get nothing and shouldn't even be eligible for a means testing.

Maybe we wouldn't be in this state if the government didn't piss away millions in this fashion

Xiney

People, please have a read of the state benefits forum charter. This isn't a place to complain about who should be entitled to what.

Fionn MacCool

Actually it's because I've been in college in Ireland for 2 years but don't think I will be continuing, I'm only in London for the summer, I intend to find a job when I come back this is only to keep me going until I do that.

Fionn MacCool

Can I just clarify - is there anything that could possibly prevent me from being entitled to this?

Xiney

If you haven't officially dropped out of college, this would prevent you from collecting a jobseeker's payment

Fionn MacCool

Xiney wrote: »

If you haven't officially dropped out of college, this would prevent you from collecting a jobseeker's payment

Aye that's expected, but if I am not returning in September, I would be able to claim from then - right?