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Just made redundant, but I'm self employed too - benefits?

  • 03-10-2011 6:02am
    #1
    LegacyUser
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,026 ✭✭✭✭


    Hi guys,

    I'm getting mixed messages from everyone around this and what my entitlements are.

    I had a full time job, and also wrote music in my spare time, which I sold online. I made around 3000 euros a year from doing this, on top of my earnings from my full time job. I'm registered as a sole trader, and sent in my tax return for my earnings.

    Someone has told me that now I'm redundant and due to go on the dole, I may not be allowed to get it as I'm technically self employed?

    I've been working since I was 12, and never been unemployed. I now want to try and make a go out of being self employed and earning enough to live off each year so I don't have to claim the dole. If I go to the dole office and tell them I work 40 hours a week but only earn maybe 100 euros a week at most, am I still entitled to get the dole?

    Also, I live with my girlfriend in a house we rent together - she earns around 45k a year. Someone said her earnings will be taken into account and if she earns enough, then she will be expected to support me - ie. pay our rent so I won't get rent allowance?

    Someone else then advised me that this is all wrong, and for 10 months I am entitled to the full dole as I paid stamps?

    Can someone advise me as to my benefits please? I'm going to see social welfare this week (we're in our last week of work), but want to know some facts before I talk to them.

    Thanks


Comments

  • #2
    mp22
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Regional South Moderators Posts: 6,854 Mod ✭✭✭✭mp22


    http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/unemployed_people/self_employed_and_unemployment.html


  • #3
    wmpdd3
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,625 ✭✭✭wmpdd3


    I think as you have being paying a class A PRSI and a Class S PRSI contribution, you should be OK for JSB.


    When you go to sign on make sure you bring your most recent payslips showing you PRSI contributions.


    If you get this, you will get the full rate (€188)as it is not means tested. After about a year this will run out and you will be moved to JSA which is means tested and going on the figures given you could see your payment seriously reduced to maybe €50 or less.


  • #4
    LegacyUser
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,026 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    Hi guys - thanks for the replies. Just looked into it and I was on unpaid leave from the company (went to Oz) from Feb 2009 - Feb 2010, so paid no stamps during this time.

    My friend was in a similar situation and said he is not entitled to JSB, but only JSA because of this. Is this really the case? I've been working for the company for 6 1/2 years with 1 years leave 2 years ago...?


  • #5
    wmpdd3
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,625 ✭✭✭wmpdd3


    It all depends on your PRSI contributions:
    Social insurance (PRSI) contributions

    To qualify for Jobseeker's Benefit, you must pay Class A, H or P PRSI contributions. Class A is the one paid by most private sector employees. Class H is paid by soldiers, reservists and temporary army nurses, who do not qualify for Jobseeker's Benefit until they have left the army. To qualify you need:

    At least 104 weeks PRSI paid since you first started work
    And

    Have 39 weeks PRSI paid or credited in the relevant tax year (a minimum of 13 weeks must be paid contributions*)
    Or

    Have 26 weeks PRSI paid in the relevant tax year and 26 weeks PRSI paid in the tax year immediately before the relevant tax year.
    *If you do not have 13 paid contributions in the relevant tax year, you must have paid 13 contributions in any of the following years:

    The 2 tax years before the relevant tax year
    The last complete tax year
    The current tax year.
    The Relevant Tax Year is the second last complete tax year before the year in which your claim is made. So, for claims made in 2011, the Relevant Tax Year is 2009.

    There are a number of circumstances in which you can be awarded credited contributions. For example, pre-entry credits are given when you start employment for the first time in your working life. However, you can only qualify for Jobseeker's Benefit when you have actually paid 104 contributions. Credits are also awarded while you are getting certain social welfare payments, including Jobseeker's Benefit (provided it is for 6 days), Jobseeker's Allowance or Illness Benefit.

    Contributions you have paid in other member states of the EU/EEA will be added to your Irish contributions. If you are applying for Jobseeker's Benefit and need the contributions paid in another EU/EEA country to help you qualify, then your last contribution must have been in Ireland.


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