BTEA to JSA

dustie1

Hi, my friend came to me for advice as i'm good at researching things on the net. But this one has me..
My friend just completed a 2 year course in cheffing. She was on BTEA while doing this, paid dole rate of 197 for 1st year and 149 for second year (No explanation for lower rate on second year except for cut backs!)
She has now finished and been searching for a job for the last 2 months to no avail. She went into the Social Welfare office to request to be transferred back to dole. She had also moved to a cheaper location as she no longer needed to be so close to the city for college. So her claim was suspended until she presented herself at the new area Social Welfare office. She's was told she had to be means tested.. so she did all the forms, shes 30 and no kids, no property, no savings due to college, etc. should be simple. But now there saying there is a 4 month back log to see the means test officer.

How is she meant to survive that long with no payment? Will the community welfare officer help? If so will they help for 4months? Its seems crazy that will all the ppl in the public service they cant reduce this back log..

Can Anyone advise?

mp22

tell her to contact her local CWO,ask for this http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/supplementary_welfare_schemes/supplementary_welfare_allow.html