Lack of Information

ConfusedGuy92

I was reading back on some of my old posts on here, and like the Social Office, I was given pretty much no advice (and called a waster on a few occasions haha). I was pissed that I was getting €41 a week on the dole and asking what options I had, but was getting called a waster because I had a feeling of 'self entitlement'. Since, I've done a few courses and signed up to the Jobs Club. The information I got there would see me all the way to becoming a computing teacher, and it also gave me information to maybe get back to college.

Why don't we get more information about things like this from easier outlets? Had I not joined the Jobs Club, I'd still be going to FAS Courses just to get some extra money and not having a clue what I can do to make it anywhere. Sending out my (awful) CV and stuff wouldnt get me anywhere, yet the Social is quite happy to see me claim every day than to actually give me an option into getting somewhere (like the Jobs Club did).

Do you think we'd be in a better state as a country if information like this was handed out more easily? I didnt even know what FAS was when I signed on. Obviously we all know how to sign on and collect from the dole, so why isnt it as widley known how to move forward through the great oppertunities through courses we have that could allow us to actually make something of ourself? Pissed me off really.

/Rant.

Balagan

Maybe you are being a little selective in your summary of the responses you got on this site. You will always receive the less than helpful replies but I think, on average, you received a lot of helpful replies to your queries, including at least one poster saying they would be happy to exchange personal messages with you as they had been in a similar situation.

You are correct though in your feeling that it is very hit and miss with regard to people being able to quickly access the information they need. It's great that you found Jobs Clubs so helpful - is that the Jobs Club run by Fás? Best of luck to you with everything.

ConfusedGuy92

Nah the replys were generally in respect to me complaining that I was getting €41 euro on the dole (and in fairness in not receiving the grant and not being able to secure a job, I thought I had a right to be pissed with no future savings available on the horizon).

I'm not sure if the Jobs Club is run directly by FAS., I think it's on their database, but not their staff for example. I know I had to go to the next town to the main office of the Jobs Club for interviews, and they would often talk down on FAS for their bad reputation in the news at the time.

What I think is that we arent given this information clearly enough. I didnt know about FAS, I didnt know about Jobs Club. All I knew is that I went into the social and said "I NEED MONEY!!!!". Why didnt they immediatley direct me to FAS instead of forcing me to wait an agonizing 7months for a sh!t amount of money? Why didnt they put me straight onto the jobs club?

I still know very little. Like I want to move out of home, and maybe to a town closer to work, but my understanding is that I need to live on my own for four months before being allowed rent allowance (which essentially is proving that I dont need the money and then receiving the money). I cant afford it on my own, and where I live there is NO chance of a local job without some in the door knowledge (and Im from Scotland so no hope of a family friend or anything sorting me out). I need the help to get there, like the grant, but when I dont get it, they pretty much kicked me to the curb. Luckily I found a path myself, but how many people out there arent good with computers like me, or dont have any experience or skills because they focused on school instead of working and didnt get the grant? People are being abandoned daily and it's a complete joke. I'm pretty lucky (optomisitc) but you cant call these people wasters when they arent given any chances to gain the knowledge in obtaining skills to move further in life.

Balagan

There are two routes to qualifying for Rent Supplement. Either be renting privately for 6 months, having been able to afford the rent when the tenancy started and have since suffered a reduction of income OR be approved by the Local Authority as being in need of social housing. http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/supplementary_welfare_schemes/rent_supplement.html

ConfusedGuy92

Balagan wrote: »

There are two routes to qualifying for Rent Supplement. Either be renting privately for 6 months, having been able to afford the rent when the tenancy started and have since suffered a reduction of income OR be approved by the Local Authority as being in need of social housing. http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/supplementary_welfare_schemes/rent_supplement.html

Damn it went up to 6th months? And I'd probably go the second route. Again people might claim that I'm "just living off other peoples money", and pretty much you are right, but what do you want me to do instead? I dont see how I can any easier get a job considering I did a course teaching me specific skills in order to get a job, and Im still unable to get one. I have to leave my parents house. Its no longer home and it's a nightmare staying there. It puts so much stress of me and my parents relashionship, specifically my dad, so it's just not worth living there at the risk of a serious fallout. I'll look into that now man appreciate it.

Kristopherus

And to make a right catch 22 scenario, you will find that you will be way down the pecking order to qualify for social housing.Most local authorities will not even consider young, single people, for social housing.:(

ConfusedGuy92

Something else I just found on CI.

CI wrote:

However, if you are getting Jobseeker's Allowance, Jobseeker's Benefit or One-Parent Family Payment for the required period (3 or 9 months), are aged between 18 and 20 and have been out of the formal education system for at least 2 years you may qualify.

I have been out of college since August 2010, I'm 19 and have been claiming for just over a year. Would I qualify for BTEA yet, based on the statement above? I was under the impression that I had to wait until I was 21.

Balagan

ConfusedGuy92 wrote: »

Damn it went up to 6th months? And I'd probably go the second route. Again people might claim that I'm "just living off other peoples money", and pretty much you are right, but what do you want me to do instead? I dont see how I can any easier get a job considering I did a course teaching me specific skills in order to get a job, and Im still unable to get one. I have to leave my parents house. Its no longer home and it's a nightmare staying there. It puts so much stress of me and my parents relashionship, specifically my dad, so it's just not worth living there at the risk of a serious fallout. I'll look into that now man appreciate it.

The private renting period for Rent Supplement has been 6 months for quite a number of years now. You are in the same boat as thousands of a similar age and it certainly isn't easy. You mention staying on the education track and that would be best if you can manage it. With regard to the situation at home, it might be alleviated by getting out of the house on a routine basis and also helping out in the house on a routine basis! Many have found that volunteering makes life much more worthwhile and also, if you are living at home, keeps the parents happy! You can check here http://www.welfare.ie/en/pages/jobseekersvoluntaryworkoption.aspx
for what kind of volunteering will not interfere with your Jobseeker payments. Employers tend to look favourably on those who have are volunteering and, of course, it can provide you with a reference and, if you are lucky, some experience relevant to your training and job interests. Also, if you are signing for credits or on a Jobseeker payment for 3 months, you would be eligible for JobBridge internships. http://www.jobbridge.ie/ The rate of Jobseeker payments will stay the same as any you might presently be receiving, but you would receive an additional €50 on top of it. If there are no JobBridge internships advertised in your local area (because JobBridge doesn't have any accommodation or travel allowances) try to talk a local employer into having a JobBridge intern.

Balagan

ConfusedGuy92 wrote: »

Something else I just found on CI.



I have been out of college since August 2010, I'm 19 and have been claiming for just over a year. Would I qualify for BTEA yet, based on the statement above? I was under the impression that I had to wait until I was 21.

Sure sounds like you will qualify for the exemption from the 21 and over rule when your two years out of education is up. Check out all the other qualifying criteria http://www.welfare.ie/en/operationalguidelines/pages/bte_all.aspx You mention being in college before. Usually, BTEA is for those commencing from first year but there are waivers in the above link that might cover you.