Having benefit reevaluated?

Guy:Incognito

In Jan 09 I was put on casual work by my employer so I've been filling out the casual dockets for the social welfare since. When I applied first (jan 09) my entitlement was assesed to be €156 and change (It's now €153 odd with the cuts) because the year they took (2006 iirc) to work the amount off was when I was a 1st year apprentice ( I took a big drop in my money from my previous job to go back and do my apprenticship) .

It wasnt a huge issue because I had a couple of days work a week most of last year so never really had to rey of the social welfare. This year has been different and I've worked very little . They sent a letter a few weeks ago sayign they were taking me off the casual dockets because I've worked so littl but I now had to sign on, collect my money in the post office and ring in to tell them any days I work (seperate issue but since they dont answer the phone when I try ring, it's not really possible to tell them).

Anyway, when I went up to talk to them about havign the amount reassessed now that its a year on, the woman wasnt really sure so went off in to the office for about 5 mins then came back and said somethign about me staying on that amount indefinately unless I came off social welfare altogether for 6 months and then it would be assesed as a new claim ifI had to apply again. She did'nt seem sue of anythign to be honest so does anyone know if theres a way to have the amount reassesed to a more realistic leve? possibley based on a later year seeing as my wages went up each year as I went through my apprenticship.

Cheers

Guy:Incognito

Just as a follow up to this and somethign I've been wondering about for a while.

I've worked since I was 16 (part time until I was finished school at 18 and full ime since then) but if I'd never worked a day in my life then went in and claimed, would I have gotten the full dole of €204 (now reduced to €196 or somesuch)?

wmpdd3

Yes but only if you were means tested. For the casual dockets, you were claiming on your PRSI contributions. As these have run out you are better off on this rate of €153 as if you get means tested you may find yourself on alot less.