Could I have to pay back the supplementary allowance.

Chett

Hi, I've looked around the forums for an answer to this question but was surprised that it hasn't been asked (as far as I can tell).

Currently I'm receiving supplementary welfare allowance while my jobseekers allowance claim is awaiting approval. It's taken almost five months at this stage and I just got a letter from the office which leads me to think that it's about to take a bit longer.

So my question is, if my claim is denied or should I become employed and cancel the claim, would I have to pay back the money that I received from the HSE. I thought surely not but it's a question that's been in the back of my mind for quite a while now.
Thanks for any answers or advice.

Balagan

Repayment of Supplementary Welfare Allowance
In certain circumstances, you may have to repay any assistance you have received under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme. For example:

If Supplementary Welfare Allowance is paid while you are waiting for a social welfare benefit, assistance or pension, the amount paid will be deducted from the arrears of your social welfare payment.

If you are paid an Urgent Needs Payment, you may have to pay back all or part of what you have been paid if you are working or once an insurance claim is settled.
http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Schemes/SupplementaryWelfareAllowance/Pages/BasicSupplementaryWelfareAllowance.aspx

Chett

Thanks for the reply. I know that if my claim is approved, that the money that I received from the supplementary allowance will be deducted from the backpayment of the jobseekers allowance. But I'm still somewhat confused about what happens if my claim is denied or if I become employed before the claim is finalised. There would be no claim to deduct that from so would I still be required to pay that back?

mrsbyrne

Chett wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. I know that if my claim is approved, that the money that I received from the supplementary allowance will be deducted from the backpayment of the jobseekers allowance. But I'm still somewhat confused about what happens if my claim is denied or if I become employed before the claim is finalised. There would be no claim to deduct that from so would I still be required to pay that back?

No, if you for whatever reason are disqualified from JSA you will not have to pay back the SWA. If you get employment in the meantime, you will inform both SW and the CWO about your start date, you will sign off from SW, your SWA will cease from your employment start date, and that will be the end of the matter. If you will have financial difficulty managing until your first pay packet, you can approach the CWO and ask for help, but its at his/her discretion as to whether you would get any help.

Chett

OK. Thanks very much.