Jobseekers allowance and foreign bank accounts.

Wintergreen

Hello guy's I was wondering if someone here could help me, I searched for a similar thread but had no joy.

I recently finished up work after the end of a temporary contract, I then went to sign on and my appointment with the Welfare Officer is later this week. Last year I was in Australia and because of this I was given the "Habitual Residence Condition" form to complete before my interview. While going through the form I noticed it asks if you have any foreign bank accounts. I still have one from Australia as if I cant find work in the future I may return one day, also lately the dollar has been gaining in strenght against the euro so to transfer it home could lose me money in the future (its not a huge amount in the account mind you!!). I decided, for these two reasons, to leave some money in Australia and the account open.

My question is will the fact that I have a foreign account effect my claim? Any advice or help on this matter would be greatly appriciated!

Thanks

snubbleste

The HRC gauges if your centre of interest is in Ireland.
A view may, and I stress may, be formed that you have a financial interest in the country you were in and therefore still have ties.

Balagan

The fact that you have a bank account abroad will be a factor in determining habitual residence.

The following examples are acceptable as proof of permanent return to Ireland: (Allow 28 days for documentation to be submitted)

Documented evidence of transportation of personal possessions
Proof of cessation of employment
Proof of termination of lease on rented property or proof of sale of home
Evidence of closure of financial accounts and transfer of funds
Evidence of completion of studies abroad (where applicable)
Copy of passport and expiration of visa at the time they returned
http://www.welfare.ie/en/operationalguidelines/pages/habres.aspx

Wintergreen

Balagan wrote: »

The fact that you have a bank account abroad will be a factor in determining habitual residence.

The following examples are acceptable as proof of permanent return to Ireland: (Allow 28 days for documentation to be submitted)

Documented evidence of transportation of personal possessions
Proof of cessation of employment
Proof of termination of lease on rented property or proof of sale of home
Evidence of closure of financial accounts and transfer of funds
Evidence of completion of studies abroad (where applicable)
Copy of passport and expiration of visa at the time they returned
http://www.welfare.ie/en/operationalguidelines/pages/habres.aspx[/QUOTE]

I have a copy of my visa with an expiration date in March and an exit stamp from the same date in my passport could that cancel out the fact that ive still got an account there.

Id be tempted to follow Gustafo's advice but id prefer to be honest. Im not trying to screw anyone and I dont have tonnes of money stashed away, I just know that if I close that account ill lose money as the dollar continues to gain in strenght during the euro crisis.

eastbono

If you have worked in Ireland since you came back from Oz then your habitual residence will be a formality and you also have an expired visa. You will be questioned on why you retain a bank account in Oz but state on your application as you said here that you left it open as the Aus$ is good against the €. You will also have to provide statements for your bank account in Oz for means testing.

Wintergreen

eastbono wrote: »

If you have worked in Ireland since you came back from Oz then your habitual residence will be a formality and you also have an expired visa. You will be questioned on why you retain a bank account in Oz but state on your application as you said here that you left it open as the Aus$ is good against the €. You will also have to provide statements for your bank account in Oz for means testing.

Thanks very much I appriciate the advice, Ill get an e-statement for the Australian account and explain my reasons for keeping it open.

Pebble on the Beach

My other half and I found ourselves in a similar situation - we returned to Ireland after spending a few years away and my OH secured a temporary job but when that ended and he was unable to secure any more work he had to sign on. He was told his claim would take 'a few weeks' to finalise and was advised to seek assistance from the Social Welfare fund in the interim. He completed the form and was honest with his answers believing his centre of interest to be Ireland as all the family live here. He informed them of a 'dormant' UK bank account (that only had few pounds in it!) and he was subsequently denied access to Social Welfare on the grounds that his 'centre of interest' was not Ireland! He attempted to go through the appeals process but it was all a waste of time, it was a complete bureaucratic nightmare. We were left without any form of income for 16 weeks whilst waiting for his claim for Unemployment Benefit to be finalised, although the payment was back-dated when it eventually came through. I've always been an advocate of the old saying that 'honesty is the best policy' but I now know that it's not always the case! I can't tell you what to do, you'll have to make that choice yourself but just be aware of the pitfalls!

Wintergreen

Pebble on the Beach wrote: »

My other half and I found ourselves in a similar situation - we returned to Ireland after spending a few years away and my OH secured a temporary job but when that ended and he was unable to secure any more work he had to sign on. He was told his claim would take 'a few weeks' to finalise and was advised to seek assistance from the Social Welfare fund in the interim. He completed the form and was honest with his answers believing his centre of interest to be Ireland as all the family live here. He informed them of a 'dormant' UK bank account (that only had few pounds in it!) and he was subsequently denied access to Social Welfare on the grounds that his 'centre of interest' was not Ireland! He attempted to go through the appeals process but it was all a waste of time, it was a complete bureaucratic nightmare. We were left without any form of income for 16 weeks whilst waiting for his claim for Unemployment Benefit to be finalised, although the payment was back-dated when it eventually came through. I've always been an advocate of the old saying that 'honesty is the best policy' but I now know that it's not always the case! I can't tell you what to do, you'll have to make that choice yourself but just be aware of the pitfalls!

That sounds awful, hope nothing like that happens to me! Hopefully the fact that Australia is not part of the EU and free travel area will mean that they see Ireland as my center of residence as I have visa stamps and other documents to prove I can no longer return there. In your partners case perhaps they felt as you can travel to the UK so easily and without restriction that Ireland was not his primary residence. I hope thats the case anyway!

ABajaninCork

I too have a foreign bank account. In my case, it's in the UK with very little in it! I keep it as a back up.

Welfare did ask (and continue to ask) for statements. All I do is just print out copies and send them over. Didn't seem to affect my claim too much.

But when claiming, I also provided a copy of my marriage cert (Irish), copy of lease, details of Irish bank account and copies of ferry tickets when I moved over. I'm not sure if that was the difference between my claim and the OP's.

Wintergreen

ABajaninCork wrote: »

I too have a foreign bank account. In my case, it's in the UK with very little in it! I keep it as a back up.

Welfare did ask (and continue to ask) for statements. All I do is just print out copies and send them over. Didn't seem to affect my claim too much.

But when claiming, I also provided a copy of my marriage cert (Irish), copy of lease, details of Irish bank account and copies of ferry tickets when I moved over. I'm not sure if that was the difference between my claim and the OP's.

Hopefully ill be in the same boat as yourself, thanks for the help!