All forms handed in. What now?

Yillan

Right so I've everything the welfare office wanted handed in, but I forgot to ask them what the next step was. Do I just sit tight and wait for an email, or should I be going up to check if it's come through. I'm in Dublin and I know it's the million dollar question, but how long will I be waiting. Anytime I go into my local office on Thomas St, it's fairly empty. Is that a good sign?

AnnyHallsal

Have you met an inspector? That's usually the second step. I wouldn't be taking the emptiness of the office as a sign that the claim will progress quickly. I'd be expecting to wait a couple of months at least. If you're going to be claiming rent allowance go to the Community Welfare Office now as they'll probably only backdate it from the day you present.

Yillan

Thanks. I had the means test interview a couple of weeks ago and she says that that shouldn't be a problem. I haven't signed on before and I'm just out of college. I'm guessing that should hurry things up a bit, no?

At the moment I've €5.50 and £30 to my name. What's the deal with getting some of it early, so I'm not eating Lidl meatballs straight out of the tin?

AnnyHallsal

Yillan wrote: »

Thanks. I had the means test interview a couple of weeks ago and she says that that shouldn't be a problem. I haven't signed on before and I'm just out of college. I'm guessing that should hurry things up a bit, no?

At the moment I've €5.50 and £30 to my name. What's the deal with getting some of it early, so I'm not eating Lidl meatballs straight out of the tin?

No, I don't think that would have any impact on how quickly your claim is dealt with. I was in a similar situation and still had to wait four months. Go to the Community Welfare Officer. They will give you something to tide you over while you're waiting, which will then be deducted from the backdated claim.

Yillan

Four months? Christ. I was thinking 6 weeks max. How do I find out what stage the claim is at? Do I have to head up to the office and ask at enquiries?

If they're so backed up, why not employ some of the lads waiting for the dole to get rid of some of the backlog.. You can throw out their claim because they've found employment and they'll get through some of the claims to be decided. It's win win.

AnnyHallsal

Yillan wrote: »

Four months? Christ. I was thinking 6 weeks max. How do I find out what stage the claim is at? Do I have to head up to the office and ask at enquiries?

If they're so backed up, why not employ some of the lads waiting for the dole to get rid of some of the backlog.. You can throw out their claim because they've found employment and they'll get through some of the claims to be decided. It's win win.

There's a sticky on waiting times. Some people think checking up helps. I'd just put up with it. They'll get to it when they can and in the meantime the CWO will tide you over.

Yillan

I got a (extremely poorly formatted) letter from my deciding officer 2 days after I handed in the forms. Is that a good sign that the application is moving on quickly?