Unemployed, JB ran out, not eligible for CE scheme?

Cat Melodeon

I was on JB, interspersed with Maternity Benefit. My stamps ran out early last year so we've been surviving on my husband's salary and the odd bit of freelance work that I've been able to get. We're not broke but I really want to get back to work. I'm still registered with FAS.

There are few or no job opportunities for someone with my skillset in the local area, so we've pretty much resigned ourselves to having to move house by next summer if nothing turns up in the meantime. I have been looking for other types of work but they're pretty few and far between and some would end up leaving me out of pocket once childcare comes into the equation.

Well, today I saw a CE scheme that would have been perfect for me - job description had everything but my name on it. I rang the organisation involved and had a great chat with the manager, she was very enthusiastic and encouraged me strongly to apply. I got the impression she hadn't had too many suitable applicants to date.

So I rang FAS assuming that as I was still registered with them and still hadn't found work that I would be able to apply. But of course not. Because I'm no longer in receipt of any state benefits I am no longer eligible for state help. It seems that they only help you get work if you are costing them money. Once your stamps run out, if your partner earns any kind of decent wage, you're on your own.

This seems grossly unfair to me. Surely CE schemes should be open to anyone who has been unemployed for more than 6 months regardless of whether they are still in receipt of payments or not? I understand self-employed people are in the same boat. Does anyone know if such regulations can be appealed? Who comes up with these regulations in the first place (obviously not anyone who has ever been unemployed)? It's the same with any training I've tried to get through FAS - it has involved more red tape and restrictions based on circular reasoning than you'd find in a Kafka novel.

Huff.

wmpdd3

Go down and sign on, you will be awarded nearly nothing due to your means but once you have made a claim you should be elidgible.

My relative, she was a homemaker for years and wanted to do a course in the local FAS training center. Her payment was very little but she could do the course.

Mrs OBumble

Even if you're not entitled to JSA due to your partner's income, you should be signing for "stamps". This is kinda tedious, especially if you're getting casual work (you need to tell them every time that you get work, and then re-apply to sign for stamps again afterwards - even if the job was only 1/2 a day). But ... it's actually a really important thing to understand: your level of "stamps" over your working life affects your eventual pension entitlement, so it's important to collect as many as you can.

And I believe that doing so would also entitle you to participate on CE schemes. Of course you wouldn't get much money (only your benefit, of next-to-nothing and perhaps a travel allowance), but may be worthwhile if the scheme increased your changes of getting a job.

confuseddotcom

Definitely agree with other Posters, keep signing on, even if you're no longer eligible for State financial assistance, continue with the signing-on lark and keep it up.

Leif Ericson

Apologies for bumping this thread but I had an interview with a place regarding a CE position - all went well etc and I then went to my local FÁS centre to confirm everything. They said that because I was signing on for credits that I'm not eligible. Is this true? Any way around this? Finding it impossible to get any work so I decided to look at this scheme, then I get offered a position and I'm not allowed take it.

Any advice appreciated, thanks.

Mrs OBumble

Leif Ericson wrote: »

Apologies for bumping this thread but I had an interview with a place regarding a CE position - all went well etc and I then went to my local FÁS centre to confirm everything. They said that because I was signing on for credits that I'm not eligible. Is this true? Any way around this? Finding it impossible to get any work so I decided to look at this scheme, then I get offered a position and I'm not allowed take it.

Any advice appreciated, thanks.

Try this: http://www.jobbridge.ie/InternEligible.aspx

It says

Q. Have you been in receipt of any of the following for a minimum of three months?

• Jobseekers Allowance
• Jobseekers Benefit
• One Parent Family Payment
• Disability Allowance
• Signing for social insurance contribution credits

If you have answered YES to any of the above and you are actively seeking employment - then this scheme may be for you!

But it also says that it's only a guide, and that your local Social Welfare office - not FAS - has the final say re eligibility.

Leif Ericson

Thanks for that but unfortunately Job Bridge will only work out at €50 p/w since I'm signing on for credits.