Jobbridge and Cohabiting

ismiseuisce

Has anyone else had this issue with cohabiting and Jobbridge???

I just finished college and am looking to start work. My only experience is in bar work and I am looking for admin-type jobs. I'm finding entry-level work is pretty much non existant. I have applied any admin jobs I see that don't list experience as mandatory but I hear NOTHING back at all.

Jobbridge seems to be pretty much the only place for entry level jobs. I can understand that from the companies' perspectives why would they pay me minimum wage when they can pay someone else 50 euro a week.

HOWEVER I am "ineligible" to apply for Jobbridge. :mad:

I live with my partner and he has a job, because of his wage (pretty modest but above the social welfare cohabiting cutting point) I don't qualify for any social welfare payments. Due to the fact I don't have a social welfare payment, I can't apply for Jobbridge jobs.

It's a catch-22 situation. I feel as if I am being discriminated against - I am ineligible to apply for those jobs just because I live with my partner! I don't want to move out and change my home life just to be be eligible to apply.

I'm so frustrated! I just want to get a job. I don't even mind if the wage is small as long as I can live on it and gain some good experience. :mad:

Has anyone else encountered this issue or does anyone know if there is any way I can get around it without having to move out of my home?

Limerick Dude

I am in a similar situation, I have just spend the past 5 years working my arse off in college (4 year undergrad and a masters degree) and I am struggling to find work. Jobbridge is obviously an option, but I'm living at home with my father who has a decent salary so it is unlikely that I will get any jobseekers allowance. I should find out next week hopefully.

As the OP said, is there any other way to be eligible for jobbridge if you cannot get jobseekers allowance?

ismiseuisce

Sorry to hear about your troubles there Limerick Dude but also glad to hear I'm not the only one!

I am qualified and passionate about working in tourism, I have an undergrad in two languages and a postgrad in Tourism Management. I would love to work for Fáilte Ireland or the National Museum which both are under the moratorium but have multiple jobbridge internships advertised at any one time. I know that I am highly qualified to do those internships but because I live with my partner I am not allowed to apply.

It is so frustrating!

Balagan

Limerick Dude wrote: »

I am in a similar situation, I have just spend the past 5 years working my arse off in college (4 year undergrad and a masters degree) and I am struggling to find work. Jobbridge is obviously an option, but I'm living at home with my father who has a decent salary so it is unlikely that I will get any jobseekers allowance. I should find out next week hopefully.

As the OP said, is there any other way to be eligible for jobbridge if you cannot get jobseekers allowance?

Yes, if you have been signing for credited social insurance contributions for the required amount of time.

To be eligible for a place as an intern you must have a live claim and be currently in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance/ Jobseekers Benefit/ One Parent Family Payment/ Disability Allowance or signing for Social Insurance Contribution Credits for 3 months (78 days) or more in the last 6 months. http://www.jobbridge.ie/InternEligible.aspx

Info here on Credited Social Insurance Contributions but the best thing would be to check at the Social Welfare Office about whether or not you would be entitled to sign for credits. http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/irish_social_welfare_system/social_insurance_prsi/credited_social_insurance_contributions.html Bear in mind that if you can sign for credits and get a JobBridge internship after the required period, you would only be receiving the €50 JobBridge top-up.

Boombastic

You need to investigate further if you can sign for credits even if you receive no money