First time claiming social welfare

Only one Keano

Hi.

I was hoping somebody could help or advise me.

I have never claimed social welfare or benefits so am not up to speed on what I am entitled to.

My position is as follows:

• Did not work April & May 2010
• Worked part-time (c 2 days a week for on average 15 hours a week from June 2010 to August 2010) on minimum wage
• Worked part-time (c 3/4 days a week for on average 25 hours a week from September 2010 to date) on minimum wage

I have never claimed any benefits in this time.

I am a director though of a few companies which are family businesses (as are parents and siblings) but I do not earn an income or any money from these companies.

I also have a mortgage and numerous other bills but have been able to pay them through savings to date but this is running low at present so am looking into all other avenues of generating income while trying to secure better paid full time employment.

I didn't realise that it may be possible to claim benefits if working part-time until a friend said it to me so am not sure what I can claim and have done a quick google search but it's not clear.

I was wondering could someone give me an idea of what I may be entitled to, do they back-date payments and how I should go about making the claim???

Any help would be great and thanks in advance!:)

mp22

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

Call into your local office and start filling in the forms.

backdated claims http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/irish_social_welfare_system/claiming_a_social_welfare_payment/making_a_late_claim.html

Only one Keano

Thanks for the reply.

I plan to head into the welfare office to get forms today etc....

I was wondering did anyone though know more about my possibility to back-date the claim and also whether me being a director of a company (but not obtaining income) would have any impact on my ability to claim?

Only one Keano

I called into my local Citizen Information Centre and they said that welfare don't backdate any claims.

I had been under the impression that its possible to get a claim backdated.

Can anybody clear this up?

eastbono

Only one Keano wrote: »

I called into my local Citizen Information Centre and they said that welfare don't backdate any claims.

I had been under the impression that its possible to get a claim backdated.

Can anybody clear this up?

The most you can get your claim backdated to afaik is 6 months and it is up to the deciding officer and afaik not knowing about entitlements is not an acceptable reason for backdating a claim.

Have you been to the sw office to make a claim? You first posted earlier in the month and have now stated you went to citizens information but have you made a claim with sw.

Only one Keano

Not yet.

I had planned to go but was unable to get up there. I still feel I know so little about applying and what's required so I decided to go to Citizens Information Centre first. I am working tomorrow and Friday so plan to get there early next week. So any help or advice in advance of going would be great.:)

gbee

TBH, you'll need to discuss this with the welfare people, as I'm 'self employed' with no income for a few months, I applied at my Social Welfare Officer and was advised to sign on for the Dole, at the local SW Office.

My experience has contradicted much of the advice gleamed from radio shows and forum discussions.

As a director you have responsibilities and liabilities in the event that the company folds, you'll probably be asked about your security holdings etc.

There is no clear pathway in your case for anything but the roughest of guidelines.

theg81der

Your claim is normally only backdated to the date you applied so you better go in and get the form. They will then give you a list of documents to present - Birth certs etc and then schedule a meetinng with a deciding officer. You need to be prepared for alot of question and to present alot of documentation. Try not to lie because your quite likely to get caught out and this will make more problems for you in the longrun.

It seems to be hit and miss and I think it depends on the person you get on the day of the interview.

Only one Keano

Appreciate all the posts.

I have a meeting with social welfare inspector tomorrow but still unclear whether being a director of a company has any bairing on my ability to claim jsb?

Just to clarify I do not work in this company and do not claim earnings or income from this company. I worked in the company but ceased working in the company back in November 2010. I am only a director as it is a family company.

It would be nice to know in advance of my meeting with the inspector in the morning so any help would be great.

MariMel

I dont have an answer for you.....all I know is that on the application form for FIS there is a question as to whether or not you are a director of a company.
I dont know if this question is on any other forms or not.
Best of luck with your appointment.