Dropping out of college and signing on

Guffy

After the birth of my first child over the christmas period I have found the financial strain too much. I was not getting a grant, student assistance or any other income as i was unable to find a part-time job. It has come to the point were I just have to leave college and sign on while i look for a full-time job.

I am 25 and have worked without a break for the last 5-6 years untill august of 2011. How do i go about signing on? what information do i need and indeed can i sign on if i leave college?

I'm in Galway so do I go to the social welfare office in Augustine street first or do I go to my community welfare officer in the Westside?

eastbono

gufc21 wrote: »

After the birth of my first child over the christmas period I have found the financial strain too much. I was not getting a grant, student assistance or any other income as i was unable to find a part-time job. It has come to the point were I just have to leave college and sign on while i look for a full-time job.

I am 25 and have worked without a break for the last 5-6 years untill august of 2011. How do i go about signing on? what information do i need and indeed can i sign on if i leave college?

I'm in Galway so do I go to the social welfare office in Augustine street first or do I go to my community welfare officer in the Westside?

Your first port of call is to your sw office. If this is a new claim download form up1 form attached link... if you have claimed before then form up6 and have it filled in before you go.... saves some time.
http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Pages/jajbapplications.aspx

You will need proof of identity.... passport & driving licence or passport and long version of birth cert. Proof of address... recent utility bill in your name or tenancy agreement. A letter from college stating that you have withdrawn.
Birth cert for your baby is you want baby added as a child dependant.

While you are waiting for this to be processed which shouldnt take long as from what you say you will be entitled to benefit rather than allowance go to your community welfare officer and apply for supplementary welfare allowance.

You dont say what your personal circumstances are... if you are a single parent you can apply for One Parent Family.... this could take some time to be processed as it will have to go to a sw inspector.
http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Publications/SW82/Pages/1WhatistheOneParentFamilyPayment.aspx application form available to download also.

If you are a single parent apply for benefit and one parent family at the same time.

Guffy

eastbono wrote: »

Your first port of call is to your sw office. If this is a new claim download form up1 form attached link... if you have claimed before then form up6 and have it filled in before you go.... saves some time.
http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Pages/jajbapplications.aspx

You will need proof of identity.... passport & driving licence or passport and long version of birth cert. Proof of address... recent utility bill in your name or tenancy agreement. A letter from college stating that you have withdrawn.
Birth cert for your baby is you want baby added as a child dependant.

While you are waiting for this to be processed which shouldnt take long as from what you say you will be entitled to benefit rather than allowance go to your community welfare officer and apply for supplementary welfare allowance.

You dont say what your personal circumstances are... if you are a single parent you can apply for One Parent Family.... this could take some time to be processed as it will have to go to a sw inspector.
http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Publications/SW82/Pages/1WhatistheOneParentFamilyPayment.aspx application form available to download also.

If you are a single parent apply for benefit and one parent family at the same time.

thanks, i'm no longer with my partner so she is the single parent. i am assuming that i would be unable to add my baby as a dependant in this case and if I was how would that affect the single parent allowance?

eastbono

gufc21 wrote: »

thanks, i'm no longer with my partner so she is the single parent. i am assuming that i would be unable to add my baby as a dependant in this case and if I was how would that affect the single parent allowance?

You couldnt add your baby as a dependant as baby will be with Mom full time.

Lugh Ildanach

You can claim for your child even if he/she isn't living with you, but only if you are paying maintenance of at least 30 Euro per week and the mother isn't receiving any kind of social welfare payment. If the mother is claiming One Parent Family Payment, she will be claiming for the child, and you will not be able to.

See here for more details http://www.welfare.ie/EN/OperationalGuidelines/Pages/depsqc.aspx#normalres

If the mother is claiming OPFP, she will also be obliged to seek maintenance from you, or you could also be found to be liable to repay some of the allowance back to the social welfare (although not if your only income is from social welfare).

For more details on Liable Parent provisions see here http://www.welfare.ie/EN/OperationalGuidelines/Pages/liabmainfam.aspx