can i claim JSA/JSB as a recent PhD graduate-long post so apologies

cotchy82

Hi all i have a question regarding claiming either JSB or JSA

I will soon be finished college but i think my situation might be different to most other students so if anybody could help it would be great

I will give the main points of my situation as there are quite a few!

I will finish my PhD in one months time and my thesis will be given to an external supervisor to review, at this time I will be removed from the college register and no longer be a student.

My PhD thesis will be reviewed by an external supervisor who will interview (viva) me approx 6 weeks after he gets it on the various aspects of my PhD and so i technically wont have finshed my course although as i said ill no longer be considered a student by my college (although social welfare may not share the same views). i will no longer be in or at college for these 6 weeks.

For the 6 weeks i am waiting for this interview I will be available and looking for work and not at or in college, apart from the one day the interview will be held.

To make things slightly more complicated, thoughout the four years of my PhD at various times i have done some part time lecturing hours for my college and therefore have made monthly PRSI contributions for the entire 4 previous years, although most were minimal at approx 10 euro per month but more if i had some part time hours.

My funding source has been an EU fund from which i have recieved 1000 euro per month which also runs out next month. I dont know if age matters on this one but i am 28.

If i cant find work in say 3 or 4 months time i would probably consider emigrating, would this affect any claims i could make while still in this country?

So could anybody advise me on whether i would be entitled to either JSA or JSB?

Thank you.

smashling84

firstly planning on emigrating has no effect on a jsa/jsb application.

as regards your phd i was in a similar position with my masters and what you need to do is get a letter from the college saying that you are no longer a student.

regarding your funding, im not sure but i think you would have to prove that this has ended or else you would be means tested on it or it would be seen to prove that you were still in college.

Additionally you will have to prove that you are no longer getting lecture hours, again a letter from the college should cover this.


when you go into the social welfare office they will tell you whether to apply for jsa or jsb depending on how much jsb you would be entitled to from your prsi contributions. i had worked while in college but i was told that my prsi would only entitle me to €133 a week jsb, while id probably get the full jsa.

cotchy82

Many thanks Smashling,

Does the fact that i have paid PRSI for the full four years work in my favour regards actually getting it?