Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

How can I support myself?

  • 06-09-2009 11:43pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,026 ✭✭✭✭


    I never thought I'd be posting this. I never thought I'd be seeking anything off social welfare. But here I am.

    I'm a 24 year old girl. After finishing the Leaving Cert, I went to a college within commuting distance and have been working part-time since I was seventeen.

    I never qualified for the grant, but I have been working to pay my college fees since I was old enough to do so - even taking a year out after second year, although it meant leaving all my college friends behind.

    My father is a teacher and my mother is unemployed due to illness.

    I finished college in June. I had been applying unsuccessfully for jobs all through my final year in college. As soon as I finished, I applied for SW payments.

    I don't qualify for JSB - two payments short.

    It turns out my mother's salary puts me over the limit for JSA. The fact that I have three younger siblings in college does not come into consideration.

    My parents charge me a very reasonable €40 per week rent, including all bills and food. However I haven't been able to pay that recently, and currently owe them circa €600. I know I'm very lucky not to have been kicked out already, but the fact is I can't move out without at least a month's deposit and a month's rent. I can't get that from anywhere.

    Realistically. What am I supposed to do?

    Any advice welcome. My parents cannot support me for much longer.

    My life sucks right now :(


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,099 ✭✭✭Dean820


    I guess you'll have to lower your standards in terms of what job you're looking for. Perhaps a job in McDonalds.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,487 ✭✭✭banquo


    Until the economy picks up, you'll probably - like a lot of us - have to take a job that you are way overqualified for. Now is the time to land one. There's no better time of year for getting this kind of job.

    Childline in Molesworth street need people to run collections. The money isn't great, maybe 50 for a day's work (not wage based). You're just collecting into a bucket and you get a certain percentage of what you collect. If you're in Dublin, just go along anytime of day and they'll tell you what time to turn up for the evening collect. You get paid in cheque the following thursday. Bank of Ireland. You can cash it straight away.

    You could go to a credit union and take out a loan with a 'not-pay-for-a-year-or-two' clause. Credit Unions are super down to earth and accommodating that way.

    Since you're over 23, you really should qualify for the dole. At least I would have thought so. Failing that, apply even though you know you won't get it. Hand in the application form to the dole office and they'll give you a bit of paper saying that you're awaiting evaluation. Before they get a chance to reject you, go to your local 'Community Welfare Officer' with the bit of paper and tell him/her your circumstances. They'll post you a cheque. Bring bills, receipts, that sort of thing. Be warned: they make you beg.

    Finally, there is the St. Vincent de Paul. I'm not ashamed to admit that my family relied on them for nearly two years when I was a kid. They are great, they are confidential and they will help you out any way they can - food, money, clothes. Though material things like food, etc, are easier for them to provide. We got all these crates of ''U.N Food Aid'', the kind of stuff they parachute into African warzones. It was edible, and not untasty.

    What are you qualified in, OP?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 19,986 ✭✭✭✭mikemac


    Very few graduates get related jobs straight after college.
    And if you picked something like Architecture then it could be yeeeears before things pick up.

    Time to lower your standards.
    I was in your situation. No job after college and one week short of JSB.
    Ah I certainly felt two feet tall after the welfare office interviewed me, I thought I was taking money directly out of her purse. :eek:

    Now is a good time to get a job OP. Well it's tough as you know but students are leaving their summer jobs so you might pick up something in the local stores/bookies or fast food place.
    It'll keep you going for a few months anyway and get you out of the house


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,026 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    Don't get me wrong - I'm not just applying for jobs related to my course (office admin). I've had plenty of jobs before, e.g. wash-up, hotel housekeeping, childcare, waitressing, retail - and I'm more than willing to work anywhere to make a decent living. However I have left in my CV everywhere in my own town and everywhere within commuting distance, but every time I'm told that they'll hold onto my CV just in case but it's unlikely anything will come up.

    About the credit union loan - I have no account there already. They'd hardly give me a loan with no account and no income would they?

    I'm from a fairly small town. By my logic, I'd have a much better chance of getting a job in Dublin or Galway because where there's more people there's a higher turnover rate. However I have no way of getting the finances together to move there and keep myself going until I get a job and get paid.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,026 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    They are using your parents income to say you're not eligible for any money so if you weren't living with your parents, you would surely then have to qualify for social welfare. Could you move out & even live with another relative for a while who would charge you a small amount of rent, so that you can get into the social welfare system.


  • Advertisement
Advertisement