dole and pension

Engine No.9

Not entirely sure if this is the correct forum for this topic but here goes.

My father became unemployed recently and is a bit apprehensive about going in to sign on because we lost my mother last year and is receiving a widowers pension. He's convinced that his claim to sign on will be rejected because of this and thinks you're only entitled to one claim at a time.

I reckon he'll be alright because the widowers pension is guaranteed, he'd be getting that even if he was working so it just stands to reason that signing on is a viable thing to do. Doesn't it?

I'd like to get some opinions on this if I can so I can give him a definitive answer. Your help is very much appreciated.

mikemac

He can keep the widowers pension and get half of jobseekers

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/death_related_benefits/widows_contrib_pension.html

You cannot get a Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension at the same time as a State Pension (Contributory). If you are entitled to both payments, you may choose whichever is the more advantageous.

However, you can get a Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension and half the personal rate of Jobseeker's Benefit, Illness Benefit, Occupational Injury Benefit, Maternity Benefit, Health and Safety Benefit, Adoptive Benefit and Carer's Allowance if you also qualify for one of these payments.

Delancey

OP - probably far better to post your question in the State Benefits forum.