Welfare Assessment

Rallyxtom

I got married in May this year. My wife works and I am unemployed receiving jobseeker's allowance. The taxation of married persons booklet states that both partners continue to be treated as as two single persons in the year of marriage. The Dept of Social Welfare now inform me that I owe €3052 as I have been overpaid and did not inform the Dept that I was married. How can this be as the booklet states that both partners continue to be treated as two single persons in the year of marriage. Is it a case of a tax refund claim through my wife's paye at the end of year? Any help greatly appreciated
Many thanks

dearg lady

I'm not sure on the law on social welfare, but I do know it's different from tax law. When a couple get married they can make a choice about how to be assessed for tax purposes(ie single, seperate or joint) whatever they choose will affect their 'year of marriage'

However for social welfare purposes even co-habiting but non married couples are treated jointly when assessing. As I said I don't know much about this, maybe someone else could shed some light

Rallyxtom

Thanks for the help
Anybody know more please

Mr. Incognito

welcome to ireland.

for tax purposes you are treated as joint persons when married and can elect for single assessment if you wish.

for social welfare purposes if you are a co-habiting couple they are deemed to be "supporting" you and they will deny social welfare, married or not.

It's a joke imo

The_Conductor

Tax treatment, and social welfare treatment are two totally separate things. The DSFA calculation, if they are only factoring from the date of your marriage, could despite everything, be a reasonable calculation and in your favour. By rights they would be calculating from the date you first started co-habiting.