JSB/JSA - Confused

CelticMama

Hi there

My question may be a bit complicated. I am an Irish citizen but lived most of my life in another country. I have now been here 2 years, so would be considered habitually resident.

I have been in full-time employment since July 2010, so that's about 21 months of full-time employment. My contract came to an end in Jan 2012, and I managed to get another job in Feb, but the job is absolutely horrible and I don't know if I can stick it out. (long story short - I get paid a monthly wage for 8:30am to 5pm hours, but the workload of the department is such that everyone is expected to work 2 hours of unpaid overtime every day to get the work done) :mad:

I have been in the job for a month, and have basically been told today that if I dont start putting in the 10-11 hour days that the other staff in that department put in, I am welcome to leave.

My question is firstly, if I were to leave, would I be disqualified from claiming JSA/JSB, and secondly since I only have 21 months PRSI stamps, would I even get JSB/JSA? As I stated previously, I am habitually resident, since I have been here over 2 years.

I am the sole earner, since my husband has been childminder/househusband since he hasnt been able to find work since we moved back here.

Buffman

CelticMama wrote: »

My question is firstly, if I were to leave, would I be disqualified from claiming JSA/JSB, and secondly since I only have 21 months PRSI stamps, would I even get JSB/JSA? As I stated previously, I am habitually resident, since I have been here over 2 years.

No, don't think you'd get JSB as you have around 84 PRSI contributions by my maths, and need 104 minimium. Unless this applies to you?

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.

Regarding JSA, it depends on habitual residence and is means tested.

However, even if you qualify for JSB/JSA, if you're deemed to have 'Left work voluntarily and without a reasonable cause' you may be disqualified for 9 weeks.

More info here.

CelticMama wrote: »

I have been in the job for a month, and have basically been told today that if I dont start putting in the 10-11 hour days that the other staff in that department put in, I am welcome to leave.

Personally speaking, I'd only work the hours I'm paid in that situation. I'm guessing there is no time off in lieu arrangement.

Ideally, whatever happens, try not to leave voluntarily for reason above. Saying that, if it starts making you unhealthy you shouldn't stay.

CelticMama

Thanks for the response Buffman, after posting this I chatted more to my husband about it, I had seen info online that mentioned being disqualified if you leave voluntarily, so I definately wont do that.

They are sneaky though, because they know they cannot fire me for not working all those unpaid hours, that's why they are hinting that if I dont like it I can leave. My solution is to work the hours I am paid to work (I had been work about an hour of overtime everyday anyway by coming in 30 mins early and working 30 mins late most days) and if THEY dont like it, they can fire me.

I am absolutely smothering with a sinus infection/headcold/ear infection and am still dragging my sorry self in to work, because I wont get paid if I dont come in.

By the way, we werent in an EU state before moving here, so previous contributions would not be included. I think JSA would be what I would get if I am lucky.