JSA and Childcare costs

MilanPan!c

Is Childcare considered a deductible expense when means testing for JSA?

Oh and what about parental leave (which reduces salary), as that's "voluntary"... even if it's actually necessary

Thanks in advance!

MilanPan!c

Anyone?

I called two branches and one said, "oh most branches never answer their phones"... handy... but then said, "parental leave would be a deductible expense," but she had no idea about childcare costs...

The other said she had no idea about either...

Three other branches didn't answer (mine in Nutgrove answers MAYBE one in ten times).

Gingernuts31

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/irish_social_welfare_system/means_test_for_social_welfare_payments/means_test_for_jobseekers_allowance.html

MilanPan!c

Gingernuts31 wrote: »

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/irish_social_welfare_system/means_test_for_social_welfare_payments/means_test_for_jobseekers_allowance.html

Perhaps you could highlight where on that page my questions are answered?



I have read that page repeatedly and see nothing that answers my questions (and I can't get any answers on the phone).

Thanks!!

And in fact that page says only 50% of your means are used as basis for your claim, but I have in writing from the Dept of Social Protection that it's 60%?!

Gingernuts31

Depends on when the citizensinformation website was updated. Maybe it has gone upto 60% recently? I didn't scroll down that link looking for your answer I just copied and pasted.

Here is the no for my office (0505) 46920. They nearly always pick up the phone. Location doesn't matter just don't say your calling from dublin or else they might say to you call an office in dublin, it has to go to your local office but its just a general query yout after so shouldn't make any difference.

MilanPan!c

Gingernuts31 wrote: »

Depends on when the citizensinformation website was updated. Maybe it has gone upto 60% recently? I didn't scroll down that link looking for your answer I just copied and pasted.

Here is the no for my office (0505) 46920. They nearly always pick up the phone. Location doesn't matter just don't say your calling from dublin or else they might say to you call an office in dublin, it has to go to your local office but its just a general query yout after so shouldn't make any difference.

Yeah I got through to Swords (that was one of the two that answered from my previous post) and the woman said she only knew the answer to half my question...

So, ok, I called CI. Very helpful, much much much much easier to deal with than the actual governement department.

They told me:

1. Deductions in salary resulting from "parental leave" DO count towards your means. Good news for us.

2. Childcare does NOT count toward it. Horrible news for us (and hundreds of thousands of people I'd assume).

Thanks for your help!

And hurray for CI, boo for the Dept of Social Protection...

EDIT: Oh and the CI website that mentions 50%, that's only if both parents are on some form of benefits... it's 60% if one parent is working... brilliant.

StillWaters

Im confused, why would childcare costs be included in means when one partner is not working and at home?