Is my Husband Entitled to the Dole?

Bam33

Sorry If I am posting this in the wrong area - please feel free to move it.

I need to find out if my husband would be entitled to the dole.

He is a director in a company (he set it up with ihs father) and has worked full time first as a sole trades and then in this company for over 10 years. He has employed up to 15 people at the height of the boom and now employs 3 on a part time basis. Work is begining to dry up now and I need to find out if he is entitle to the dole if work totally drys up?

Is he entitled to it as he paid taxes for the last 10 or more years? Will he be tested baised on my earnings? If so what way will this work? Any adive on where to find out all the info on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

leeroybrown

It won't come down to his earnings it'll come down whether he paid (employers and employees) PRSI for himself or not. As an employee of a ltd. company I'd expect him to have done so for his salary. If he has the required number of PRSI contributions for the relevant year (2007 for claims this year) then he'll be able to claim Jobseekers Benefit if the company goes under.

snubbleste

If he is self-employed/director, he'll be entitled to means-tested jobseekers allowance based on all income entering the household. If you earn over a certain amount and he has no income, then he may get nothing. Some basic info
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/social-welfare/social-welfare-payments/unemployed-people/self-employed-and-unemployment

Edit: leeroybrown's answer is better

Bam33

Thanks guys - I know he has paid all his taxes and everything tax/accounting wise is up to date and fully above board so that is a relief.

I'm just a little confused - will my earning come into it? I'm just a bit worried I am in a well paid job but we have a big enough mortgage and we would really find it hard if we only had my income to live on. SOme people have told me my income will be taken into account while others say it wont - do you know what the story is with this?
thanks again

snubbleste

Bam33 wrote: »

Thanks guys - I know he has paid all his taxes and everything tax/accounting wise is up to date and fully above board so that is a relief.
I'm just a little confused - will my earning come into it? I'm just a bit worried I am in a well paid job but we have a big enough mortgage and we would really find it hard if we only had my income to live on. SOme people have told me my income will be taken into account while others say it wont - do you know what the story is with this?
thanks again

If he is entitled to JB then your income won't be a factor until JB runs out after a year, for JA there is a means test for all income including yours

Bam33

Excellent thanks Guys - this is a big weight off my mind. Thanks for your help.

It might not come to us having to go down that route but I feel better knowing what we are entitled to if we have to.

Thanks again guys