Casual Workers Allowance

UMMMM

Hi

I have already looked up on the social welfare website in regards to this but would like to hear some other opinons. A memeber off my team swapped to a eight hour contract some time ago so she could claim casual workers previously she was on a 16 hr contract split over 4 days. She refuses to do more than one days overtime (is available)so she doesn't loose her "benefit". She is not looking for other full time work. Surely she is breaking the terms of her benefit? Any opinons welcome.

AnnyHallsal

She's definitely breaking the terms if she isn't looking for full-time work.

Also, when I signed on the casual register I was given a form for my employer to fill in that enquired about the possility of more hours becoming available. I'm pretty sure you're supposed to take any extra hours offered but I'm also pretty sure it's not enforced. I can't imagine how they would ever find out unless it was reported and even then they probably wouldn't do anything about it.

I know the casual register is based on a three day norm but I'm sure I've worked four or five days the odd week, and declared so on the slip, without any consequences.

CK2010

hi, sorry for hijacking the thread, im just wondering how awkward (in terms of getting slips signed, signing on, etc.) this actually is? would there be a specified person to do it? (like someone in HR or a manager?)

as it stands, im not on the casual register or anything but im only working 4-8 hours a week (not by choice, only contract offered was a 4hr one) so i reckon id be entitled, however i think it would be extremely awkward trying to get the forms filled in- trying to even collect payslips from the cash office is a nightmare so getting slips filled in by a certain day may be a problem.

i guess it varies from place to place but just thought id ask...

barrackali

Sounds like your friend is playing the system, apparently the gov are going to make some serious cuts to this area in the budget. (like every other area)

It really is an anomoly, how can it be the somebody is better off working 3 days than 5 days?

AnnyHallsal

CK2010 wrote: »

hi, sorry for hijacking the thread, im just wondering how awkward (in terms of getting slips signed, signing on, etc.) this actually is? would there be a specified person to do it? (like someone in HR or a manager?)

as it stands, im not on the casual register or anything but im only working 4-8 hours a week (not by choice, only contract offered was a 4hr one) so i reckon id be entitled, however i think it would be extremely awkward trying to get the forms filled in- trying to even collect payslips from the cash office is a nightmare so getting slips filled in by a certain day may be a problem.

i guess it varies from place to place but just thought id ask...

The only hassle is at the beginning. When I signed on for the first time last year I was given a form to bring to my employer about pay, prospects etc. I'm sure you could find someone to fill that in with you.

Once you're set up there's no hassle. You used to have to get your employer to stamp and sign your weekly slip but they got rid of that. Now you just fill in your days worked yourself and bring/post the slip to the SW office every week.

If you decide to apply for rent allowance you're given one similar form for your employer to fill in but may have to collect your payment from the post office.

CK2010

Thanks a million for that!

AnnyHallsal

CK2010 wrote: »

Thanks a million for that!

No problem. If you're only working those hours you need the help.

UMMMM

Thanks for you replies. What I don't understnd is why somebody wouldn't take the overtime if being offered?Would equate to more money. Also they appear to self declare on the form it seems a little bit crazy to me. Surely it should be a top up to the social welfare entitlement not based on the day? Also am I right in thinking because one of the days they work is a Sunday this doesn't count sorry bit confused by the whole system really.

Balagan

You don't seem that confused!

If you suspect social welfare fraud, them simply report what you know to https://www.welfare.ie/EN/Secure/Pages/ReportSuspectFraud.aspx

tenchi-fan

I agree - shop her.

You know her name, you know where she works.. fill in the online form.

If one person reported everyone committing welfare fraud, there would be no welfare fraud. You can't rely on her family and friends to do it.

And, no, not everyone commits welfare fraud - but it all adds up.
* The actual cost of social welfare fraud is not known, however it may be as high as €2 billion a year
* On a sampling of 2000 new claimants, 10% were claiming while not living in the country
* The fraud level for child benefit claims among non-nationals was 13% compared to 1.5% for Irish nationals

muscari

As someone who was in receipt of CWA at 2 different times in my 20s, I relate to her frustration about the 16 hours being split over 4 days and why she would opt to change to one shift, though if there were 2 8-hour shifts per week, that imo would be preferable in this case. It makes no sense that a person who works 16 hours a week should be considered by CWA to work 4 days a week. I never understood why that was the way they calculate CWA. I think it's wrong and unfair. I have a friend currently who has teenaged kids who reached the age that made my friend no longer eligible for lone parents'. She works part time and should be entitled to CWA. However, because her work schedule is a couple of hours over 5 evenings a week, she's disqualified. She only works a total of 15 hours a week but welfare treat her as working full time. wtf? it's just crazy.

I don't understand how this system still works this way, 15 years after I was dealing with the lunacy of it.