No Idea Where to Start???

Shelli

I was made redundant for the second time in the last 8mths last week, was in the job 6mths no redundancy pay

Last time I signed on, but my previous employer had given me plenty of notice so I had another job lined up and only had a break in employment for 5wks or so. I have a feeling this time it's not going to be so easy.

I have no idea what I'm entitled to or what I should apply for? Can someone plase advise me?

Here's the basics:
Single mother, 1 child 2yrs old. Currently living at home with parents, but was due to move out this summer, have deposit for rent and was currently looking for places (obviously may have to wait, but would I qualify for a rent supplement?) Receive €200 per month maintenance from son's father, no other income bar CB and ECA (although father is currently out of the country but should be back soon).


So i'm heading up to the social welfare office on Monday.....what do I apply for? Jobseekers? One Parent Family allowance? Rent supplement? I have no idea? I am looking for work, and hopefully it won't take too long, but I have nothing to live on....literally.

cee_jay

You should claim One Parent Family, also if you qualify for Jobseeker's benefit, you can also claim this along with the One Parent Family - you will receive half rate Jobseeker's Benefit in conjuction with the one parent family payment.

blossom180

to qualify for rent allowance you must apply to your local council to go on their housing list,you should have no problem with this,when this is confirmed go to your community welfare officer to apply for the allowance.the amount of allowance is based on ur income,hope this info is of some use to you. p.s while your waiting for payment go to welfare officer 4 supplementary payment.

Shelli

So what order should I do all this in?

calex71

Go to the community welfare officer 1st after the dole office to apply for rent allowance, the reason i say this because you will need the form they give you to apply to the council. Also there is a bit of legwork involved and it may take a few weeks to get it softed (in my case 4) you have to go to the council get another form bring that to the tax office, then to dole office for stamping then back to the council. Your land lord will need to stamp the one you got off the welfare office before you go back to council with both forms.

They will then stamp the original and the yellow once from the welfare officer and then you can finally go back to the welfare officer, they will then advise you of a visit to your house for a means test.

Another reason to go there 1st is the welfare officer will date the form for you so you can get payment from that date when all the paper work etc is done.

Might as well apply for a medial card while you're with the cwo , kill 2 birds with one stone especially since you have a wee one.


Edit : I see you are actually living in the family home, not sure to what extent this will complicate matters but i'm sure it will have some impact, maybe others will be able to say for sure what will happen in that case.

cee_jay

Go to social welfare office the day after you finish work. Go to the fresh claims section and while you are there apply for One Parent Family and Jobseekers Benefit if you have the right contributions.

Shelli

Thanks, I'm not working my notice but am being paid for it instead, waiting for this to come through and then I can collect my paperwork from my employer, I'm guessing I can't start anything withough that as I would be technically still employed?

cee_jay

You could technically start your One Parent Family payment, or at least apply for it. If you are a single parent you can still work and claim this, as long as your earnings are below 425 euro gross a week.
There's no harm in applying for this at the moment. There may be a delay in meeting with the inspector, and by the time you do meet with one, you'll probably be finished work and will have all the documentation for him then.

Shelli

great thanks, my employer said he's putting all my paperwork in the post tonight, so I should have it this week