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Student and recently unemployed

  • 06-05-2011 7:55pm
    #1
    EmZZZ
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25 ✭


    Hi,

    I'm a full-time postgrad student and I have always been employed (full or part-time) since I came to Ireland in 1999. However, I recently lost my job and it seems that as I am registered as a full-time student, I cannot receive any other benefit than the third-level education grant, which is hardly enough to live.
    It seems that the only benefit I can avail is the medical card (whenever they understand that I can't give them anymore evidence of income as I don't have any!).
    Would you know of any other benefit I am entitled to?
    I would rather work, but, as you all know, times are quite difficult to find a job...


Comments

  • #2
    Lugh Ildanach
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 522 ✭✭✭Lugh Ildanach


    As a postgraduate student you are not necessarily disqualified from Jobseekers.

    Firstly, if you are over 23 when you start your course, the automatic disqualification does not apply. You will however still be expected to show that your course commitments allow you to look for and be available for full time work.

    Also, if you are a postgraduate research only student (even if under 23 when you start), then the disqualification does not apply, although you obviously still have to persuade them that your course commitments do not stop you looking for and available for full time work.

    http://www.welfare.ie/EN/OperationalGuidelines/Pages/ja_jobseekall.aspx#disqual
    Students pursuing a course at Postgraduate level by research only, who do not have fixed lectures or holidays but who work "at their own pace" until the thesis is submitted should have their entitlement examined. Each case should be examined on an individual basis to ensure that the general availability/ GSW conditions are satisfied.

    Of course, in spite of the above it is very possible that you will not be considered to be genuinely looking for and available for full time work.

    Are you married or live with a partner? Do you have any children? There are a number of supports out there for families even if you cannot be considered to be a Jobseeker.


  • #3
    Annasopra
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,214 ✭✭✭✭Annasopra


    EmZZZ wrote: »
    Hi,

    I'm a full-time postgrad student and I have always been employed (full or part-time) since I came to Ireland in 1999. However, I recently lost my job and it seems that as I am registered as a full-time student, I cannot receive any other benefit than the third-level education grant, which is hardly enough to live.
    It seems that the only benefit I can avail is the medical card (whenever they understand that I can't give them anymore evidence of income as I don't have any!).
    Would you know of any other benefit I am entitled to?
    I would rather work, but, as you all know, times are quite difficult to find a job...

    Does the course finish this year?

    It was so much easier to blame it on Them. It was bleakly depressing to think that They were Us. If it was Them, then nothing was anyone's fault. If it was us, what did that make Me? After all, I'm one of Us. I must be. I've certainly never thought of myself as one of Them. No one ever thinks of themselves as one of Them. We're always one of Us. It's Them that do the bad things.

    Terry Pratchet



  • #4
    EmZZZ
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25 ✭EmZZZ


    Johnnymcg wrote: »
    Does the course finish this year?
    No, I have two more years.


  • #5
    EmZZZ
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25 ✭EmZZZ


    Lugh Ildanach wrote: »
    Of course, in spite of the above it is very possible that you will not be considered to be genuinely looking for and available for full time work.

    Are you married or live with a partner? Do you have any children? There are a number of supports out there for families even if you cannot be considered to be a Jobseeker.

    Ah! I see, thanks for the clarification; I wasn't aware of that as from what I had read, I understood that once you were in receipt of a third-level education grant, you were considered as a full-time student and that was it. However, as you say, it might be tough to prove that I am available and searching for full time work.

    Single and no children, so no allowance such as the one to help you to pay for fuel during the winter for instance.

    I'll have a look at that link, thanks!


  • #6
    EmZZZ
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25 ✭EmZZZ


    I just can't believe it! I have now been told that I shouldn't even get a medical card because I'm in education.
    To get a medical card I should have an income of 180 a week (social welfare). When I applied, I still had a bit of income from the university, but as my application was slowed down because they wanted more evidence of income (from my non-existent husband or my non-existent social welfare) and that each time I rang they had lost track of the previous phone call, I now have no other income than the education grant.
    I can't believe it! I have worked for 12 years in this country, never claimed anything even when my employment was interrupted or reduced for a few weeks, and now I can't even get a medical cover. I just want to cry!


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