Job Seekers Benefit

Mflynn07

Ok, would like some advice please from those in the know.. Been out of work since the start of last November. I have been looking since then and had been hopeful but didnt sign on. (I know stupid in hindsight and a little bit proud:() anyway my last payment from a few years ago was in a different office so i applied in a Dublin office around the middle of Jan.
Long story short, they took forever and lost paperwork etc ect.. many phone calls later and finally it comes through today. Well half:mad: And the attitude i got was at least it is back dated to Jan. Of course it is why the hell shouldn't it be, i paid my taxes!

The guy i was initially speaking to in the office said it would be back dated from the start of November no problem but never asked me to write down why i didnt sign on straight away.(however i vaguely remember writing something explaining why in a box!!:mad:) So ive only been back dated to middle of Jan.. needless to say i have bills coming out my ears and cant get a job anywhere.

So my question is this, how do i go about trying to get backdated to November? I really need this money and have been relying on family loan since then so now i'm fooked as i cant pay it back without this extra money.

I was told on the phone that there will be an appeal form sent out? anyone heard of this or how it works? So annoyed now but i kinda have myself to blame with the way this government is. Shouldn't have trusted him in saying it would be back dated to November.

Sorry for the long post but needed to vent and need some advice too.. do you think i will ever see the money ive missed out on?

Edit: Sorry meant to add in here, am i entitled to rent relief or allowance?? or how does that work?
I'm a single male renting a room in an apartment in Dublin.


Thanks in advance..:)

eastbono

You should never have been told that your claim would be backdated to November that is the decision of the deciding officer. Fill out the appeal form for backdating giving your reasons you outlined here for not claiming in November.

You need to go to your community welfare officer at your local health centre to apply for rent allowance.

Mflynn07

eastbono wrote: »

You should never have been told that your claim would be backdated to November that is the decision of the deciding officer. Fill out the appeal form for backdating giving your reasons you outlined here for not claiming in November.

You need to go to your community welfare officer at your local health centre to apply for rent allowance.

ok thanks for the info. To be eligible for rent allowance, do you have to be out of work for >12 months? couldn't really understand citizens information site

eastbono

Rent Allowance is not something I am overly familiar with. Perhaps you could start a new thread on your rent allowance query and one of the experts on this would give you an idea of the criteria involved.

TheBeach

It appears you haven't been paid for the first 6 weeks of unemployment. Did you leave your job?