How long can I stay on Job Seekers Allowence for?

mary55

I was just wondering how long can I stay on Job Seekers Allowence for? I have been signing on since last December the 18th. my payment came through in February. I was just wondering how long you can stay on it ? and will i have to meet a Social Welfare Officer or something soon as I have been on it for this long? Any advice would be appreciated thanks.

djk1000

You can stay on Jobseekers allowance for as long as you are, able to work, actively seeking employment and continue to satisfy the means test.

You can be called in for a review at anytime, you'd have to have pretty good documentary evidence that you are trying to find a job (applications, rejection letters etc.)

mary55

I was just wondering has anyone else thoughts on this?

douglashyde

As mentioned, as long as you are seeking employment then you can stay on it as long as you like.

AcePuppetMaster

djk1000 wrote: »

You can stay on Jobseekers allowance for as long as you are, able to work, actively seeking employment and continue to satisfy the means test.

You can be called in for a review at anytime, you'd have to have pretty good documentary evidence that you are trying to find a job (applications, rejection letters etc.)

That's a very "official" definition but in reality once on it, you can stay there indefinately. I know of many people who have no inclinination to EVER work a day in their lives. Two for definate never even gave "documentary evidence" of even trying to fing work, yet no allowance cut or withdrawl.

If you ask me, I think these kind of people should have a 3 strike and you're out approach to seeking work. A few years ago they called it "Unemployment Benefit" but changed it to "Job Seeker's Allowance" in accordance with the UK system but in the end it was only cosmetic.

mary55, I understand the current challenges in the job seeking climate and wish you all the best in finding employment in the future. Please do not be offended by my remarks as they are not directed towards you.

Balagan

AcePuppetMaster wrote: »

That's a very "official" definition but in reality once on it, you can stay there indefinately. I know of many people who have no inclinination to EVER work a day in their lives. Two for definate never even gave "documentary evidence" of even trying to fing work, yet no allowance cut or withdrawl.

If you ask me, I think these kind of people should have a 3 strike and you're out approach to seeking work. A few years ago they called it "Unemployment Benefit" but changed it to "Job Seeker's Allowance" in accordance with the UK system but in the end it was only cosmetic.

mary55, I understand the current challenges in the job seeking climate and wish you all the best in finding employment in the future. Please do not be offended by my remarks as they are not directed towards you.

Noone asked you for your opinion. The poster asked for facts. Fact are what make this site.

AcePuppetMaster

Balagan wrote: »

Noone asked you for your opinion. The poster asked for facts. Fact are what make this site.

Well I disagree ther Balagan, people use boards.ie to guage people opinions, granted that the original post was directly a question, there are avenues like the Citizen's Information Center that deals with facts only.

However, I did answer the question with a fact and threw my 2 cents in at the same time, what was it that I said that you offended so?

mary55

ok i think we are getting away from the main issue on this thread which is how long can i stay on job seekers allowence for? as I have been signing on since last December 18th and have been receiving payments since last February last. I was wondering would I have to maybe go see a social welfare officer after a certain length of time or something??

AcePuppetMaster

Hi mary55, they'll send you out a letter as far as I know for an interview every few months (or longer) to ask you to bring proof that you tried to look for work.

eth0_

Didn't you previously have to go 'sign on' (and show evidence you're looking for work) every 2 weeks or once a month? Now it's more like every 2 months. Crazy! I suppose the offices are swamped, though.

AcePuppetMaster

Yea it used to be every week, then every month, now God knows.

moretothegirl

hi guys,

im in the process of trying to get the jsa , i no they gave me info about how im supposed to be lookin for work but nooone has actually told me that i need to keep evidenc of this, can someone explain to me if this is really important and if so what evidence do they require? most of the places iv contacted have either not got back to me or just called to say they had nothin etc. nooone ever sent me written notification

AcePuppetMaster

moretothegirl wrote: »

hi guys,

im in the process of trying to get the jsa , i no they gave me info about how im supposed to be lookin for work but nooone has actually told me that i need to keep evidenc of this, can someone explain to me if this is really important and if so what evidence do they require? most of the places iv contacted have either not got back to me or just called to say they had nothin etc. nooone ever sent me written notification

You need to keep a list of places you looked for employment at, letters of refusal etc. This is only once in a blue moon that they look for it though. Don't get too worried or stressed about it dude. (I have a very funny story about looking for work btw pm me if anyone want's to hear it.)

Balagan

moretothegirl wrote: »

hi guys,

im in the process of trying to get the jsa , i no they gave me info about how im supposed to be lookin for work but nooone has actually told me that i need to keep evidenc of this, can someone explain to me if this is really important and if so what evidence do they require? most of the places iv contacted have either not got back to me or just called to say they had nothin etc. nooone ever sent me written notification

It's important. Keep copies of emails/letters you send in the course of your job search. If all you get in response is a phone call, make a note of the name of the person who called you and the date. If you make phone calls to follow up on your applications, make a note of the name of person to whom you talk. If you are applying for jobs on line, try to copy the ad, likewise keep any newspaper ad. No need to keep every and all applications, but a good representational amount.

Balagan

eth0_ wrote: »

Didn't you previously have to go 'sign on' (and show evidence you're looking for work) every 2 weeks or once a month? Now it's more like every 2 months. Crazy! I suppose the offices are swamped, though.

It's every month and, yes, the offices are swamped.

mary55

ok thanks 4 the help everyone. I was just wondering has anyone actually been asked to show proof that they have been looking for work in the time they have been on Job Seekers Allowence??

jjf212

Hi Mary

Got a letter to go and meet inspector tomorrow. Been on JSA since March 10th so due it now. I have applied for Loads of jobs but dont have copies of all appls etc but will bring in few to show them.

They dropped in letter today and want me to meet them tomorrow - a bit short notice if u ask me - if I hadnt opened the letter seen it I would have missed it.

Anyone else get a review. They asked for proof of income (bank statements - no income obviously), proof of address (bills) and ID - same as means test I think.

hope it goes ok!

furiousox

Balagan wrote: »

It's every month and, yes, the offices are swamped.

My next signing on date is (seriously) Feb 10th 2010

TheMilkyPirate

Been on the dole for the last 2 years now i'm a bum i know but seriously no jobs. Anyway have never been asked to show proof that i'm looking for a job or anything like that i sign on every month and all they say is "any work since you last signed?" "no" "ok sign here" and thats it.

jjf212

Baraca,

Have you ever been called in to meet the inspector??

I am just a bit worried about it. Is it normal?? They didnt ask for proof of looking for jobs on the letter just said :

"It is necessary that I see you in relation to your social welfare entitlement"

I can prove I have no income, am looking for jobs etc....

Should I be concerned.

Thanks!

Balagan

furiousox wrote: »

My next signing on date is (seriously) Feb 10th 2010

Go on then, tell us what makes you so special!

furiousox

Balagan wrote: »

Go on then, tell us what makes you so special!

Aw shucks, y'know, its no big deal......;)

IT Loser

To the best of my knowledge, you have to be seeking work and capable of demonstrating that you are seeking work.

I have not applied for any jobs recently as I have decided to go into business for myself- I am incorporating a company and going out on my own.

If I got called in tomorrow morning, I would be able to show them the documentary evidence of my attempts so-far to start up in business for myself.

There is, as the fellow says, more than one way to skin a cat.

mary55

hey JJ can you please let me know how u got on with social welfare inspector as I would be interested to know if u dont mind thanks.

Cant belive Baraca has been on it for 2 years and he hasnt ever gotten asked to show proof he has been looking for jobs.

cee_jay

mary checks are random, so it is possible that he hasn't been checked.
If you are looking for work you really don't have anything to worry about?

mary55

cAr0l wrote: »

mary checks are random, so it is possible that he hasn't been checked.
If you are looking for work you really don't have anything to worry about?

Yes Carol I really am looking for work as i have plenty of proof to show that I do as u are suggesting that I am not looking for work.
I was just asking a question thats all.

dustyrip

Given the current cimate and how busy the welfare offices are all over the country, I wouldn't be worried about having to show proof of looking for work etc. for a long time. As far as I know they are not even looking for Id whilst signing on yet.

Its only going to get worse in the coming weeks with the cuts in the public sector, people will feel that the hours of work that they do for their eventual net pay isn't worth working for.

Its about time there was some sort of reform in the public sector. I went into the private sector straight after college, but was let going afterfailing ACA exams like a lot of people!! I am only applying for jobs in the public sector as you can be in the private sector for many years on a low salary to the work you are actually doing.