Does the dole office pinpoint people randomly?

LegacyUser

Just curious about this, really. Recently I was made redundant, along with my friend, from the same company. We were both there for essentially the same period (8 years) and have paid all the relevant tax and all that. However, our experience with the dole office has been different since getting our (maximum) benefits. She doesn't have to 'sign on' for 4 months, while I was made to sign on after a month. I've recently received a letter stating that I've to turn up for some FAS meeting, although I've signed on with FAS as soon as I was made redundant, however, of course, she hasn't received anything. I've been actively searching for jobs, but she hasn't (as far as I'm aware). Just wondering if anyone else has noticed that the dole office seem to randomly pick people to focus on, while letting other people (in very nearly the same situation) away with little or no interaction.

mp22

I would not believe the not having to sign on for 4 months,everybody gets to meet with fas after they sign on,its just a matter of time.

eastbono

Everyone claiming Jobseekers Benefit or Jobseekers allowance has to sign on once a month. Is your former colleague pregnant? If they are then they are exempted from signing on for a certain period of time... its 4 weeks before your due date and as far as I remember its 8 weeks after giving birth.

LegacyUser

eastbono wrote: »

Everyone claiming Jobseekers Benefit or Jobseekers allowance has to sign on once a month. Is your former colleague pregnant? If they are then they are exempted from signing on for a certain period of time... its 4 weeks before your due date and as far as I remember its 8 weeks after giving birth.

Nope, not pregnant, and definitely hasn't had to sign on for the last couple of months. I'm not annoyed or anything, just curious as to why it'd be the case. We're in different dole offices, so I guess there's different practices. Very strange.

Regarding meeting up with FAS, what's the story with that? They don't give much information. I've already signed up with FAS, is it a seminar on how to go about getting jobs, or do they quiz you on what jobs you've applied for, or are they offering me jobs?

eastbono

oh contessa! wrote: »

Nope, not pregnant, and definitely hasn't had to sign on for the last couple of months. I'm not annoyed or anything, just curious as to why it'd be the case. We're in different dole offices, so I guess there's different practices. Very strange.

Regarding meeting up with FAS, what's the story with that? They don't give much information. I've already signed up with FAS, is it a seminar on how to go about getting jobs, or do they quiz you on what jobs you've applied for, or are they offering me jobs?

I do find it strange that you ex work colleague does not sign on once a month... people in receipt of jobseekers benefit or jobseekers allowance have to sign on once a month..can you find out why your ex work colleague only has to sing on in four months.

With regard to FAS I cannot comment.... maybe someone who is more up to date could comment on that

Slydice

sounds like she had another job that got her more stamps in the past.

maybe you don't know as much about her history as you think?

yabadabado

Not sure of the specifics but if she lives a certain distance from her nearest DSP office ,there is a rule where you dont sign on as often.

cee_jay

yabadabado wrote: »

Not sure of the specifics but if she lives a certain distance from her nearest DSP office ,there is a rule where you dont sign on as often.

This.
If you live more than 15 miles from your nearest office, you sign in person once every 3 months. The other two months you receive a docket in the post, and you sign and send back to the office.

edellc

A friend of mine signs on once every three months too, he signs in the Dun Laoghaire office

As for FAS when I signed on there was no mention of fas and I havent registered with them nor do I intend too a waste of a state agency if ever there was one

LegacyUser

Slydice wrote: »

sounds like she had another job that got her more stamps in the past.

maybe you don't know as much about her history as you think?

Well, I worked with her for the last 8 years, and as far as I know, it's only the stamps you accrue in the previous year that make a difference. Either way, I worked the exact same job for 8 years, and we both live in the city centre, so it's not due to length of distance to the local welfare office.

Judging from the comments here, I guess it's just a mistake.