Should I stop receiving social welfare?

congo_90

OK so many moons ago I applied and finally got a back payment of a few months (I think).

Anyways thats not the main point here. At the moment I've started working two jobs. Both part time. Both are low hours. One is 5 hours a week while the other is shift work and hence can change from 5-12 hours max. It works out around 180 euro perweek which is enough to get me by granted I work all the hours.

Now because the jobs are based on days, does that mean I would lose any social welfare benefits? A few euro extra would be handy but if i'm not likely to get anything then there's no point in continuing.

I should point out the 5 hours per week is one hour a day, Monday - Friday while the other job is typically a Wed/ Thurs evening.

I'm filling the sheet to say i'm working whatever days but that was only for the 2day job because the other I just started.

What should I do? I'm very confused and had a long winded letter from the social dept. the other day. Thanks a lot to anyone who can help me.

Ideally I want a full time job like everyone else, but if I can't then the plan is to try accumulate hours using two or more jobs as above

Xiney

Part time jobseeker's is based on the number of days you work, not the number of hours.

So the fact that you're working 5 days per week would disallow you from claiming jobseeker's. If it's only 1 hour, 5 days per week, then it's almost certainly not worth it.

congo_90

Xiney wrote: »

Part time jobseeker's is based on the number of days you work, not the number of hours.

So the fact that you're working 5 days per week would disallow you from claiming jobseeker's. If it's only 1 hour, 5 days per week, then it's almost certainly not worth it.

so by working those days amd claiming them I'll lose money?

Max Power1

yes
If you work even half an hour per day, 6 days per week, in the eyes of the DSFA you are not entitled to anything. Stupid i know, but thems the rules!

seanie2

Yes you would be better off not working for at least 3 days and cramming all the work into the other 3or 4 days. then you can get paid JB for the 3 days you are not working.

congo_90

I don't work 2 days a week (the weekend). So by becoming employed i've shot myself in the foot here. I've still gotta sort out telling them i'm working the second job.

How do I go about finding out just how much i'm losing per day?

Thoie

If you're on job seeker's benefit, that's €204 (?) a week, and they count a week as being 6 days, so let's say €34 a day. If you're currently working 2 days a week, then you should be getting 4 x 34 = €136 a week.

If you're working more than 3 days a week you get nothing. If you work precisely 3 days a week, then you get 3x 34 = €102.

But!

Some of it will depend on how much you're earning during those 3 days. Some welfare payments are taxable so if you're close to the tax band limit you might end up being taxed on the 102 as well as your income.

In short, the answer to your original question is that yes, if you're working 5 days a week (even if it's only an hour a day), then you must notify your local welfare office and stop claiming.

To work out the exact amounts you're losing/gaining, we'd need to know how much you were being paid for each of the other jobs.

congo_90

ok so the 5day a week is minimum wage. that is around 40e. the other job is 1-3days depending on the week. max between them is 180. I can live off this so may as well cancel now. How do i go about This? no point spongin off the gov. problem is the higher paid job is casual work.

sorry for poor grammar and punctuation but i'm on a mobile device.
thanks everyone who replied

Thoie

To cancel JSB/JSA you can just phone your local office, give your PPS and tell them you're no longer eligible as of x date. Just take a note of who you're talking to and the time and date of the call in case there's any confusion later (but it's unlikely).

If your total income is €180 a week, and depending on your circumstances, you may still be eligible for help in other areas, perhaps medical cards, etc. You should explain the situation to your local Community Welfare Officer (in the Health Board) and ask if there.

Take a look at this page - if your income stays below €184 a week you're possibly entitled to a medical card, and a few other things.

congo_90

Thanks for the reply. The office only opens every tuesday so I'll head down next week and sort it out.

I already have a medical card from when I was in full time employment. Afaik that and my low income means i'm also exempt from paying income levy. 180 euro is survivable for me as I've very little in terms of debt.
One last question.. Do i return the social services card when cancelling?

foxy06

No you keep the card.