Wait time for State Contributory Pension

phoenix999

My uncle reached the age of 66 last month. He now works part-time. He has a full stamp for the last 40 years and this was confirmed by social welfare contributions section in Donegal. He sent off his application form and all the requested paperwork last week. Anyone have an idea how long he might be waiting to get it?

mrsbyrne

Shouldnt be waiting anymore than 4-6 weeks. In the meantime if he has no income he can go see the local CWO for an SWA.
Also, check out if he is entitled to Living alone Increase,Fuel Allowance or HBP

phoenix999

mrsbyrne wrote: »

Shouldnt be waiting anymore than 4-6 weeks. In the meantime if he has no income he can go see the local CWO for an SWA.
Also, check out if he is entitled to Living alone Increase,Fuel Allowance or HBP

Thanks for that. He's worked all his life, so is comfortable enough financially. He is still doing a bit of work. I thought he might be waiting 5 or 6 months. He might get an early Xmas present.

maringo

He should have been getting the state pension transition from the age of 65 if he has the required contributions as far as I know and then goes onto oap pension at 66 and needs to apply for travel pass too at 66. Don't really know the reason for a transition year but that's how they do it. Apparently you don't become an official "pensioner" until the age of 66

mrsbyrne

maringo wrote: »

He should have been getting the state pension transition from the age of 65 if he has the required contributions as far as I know and then goes onto oap pension at 66 and needs to apply for travel pass too at 66. Don't really know the reason for a transition year but that's how they do it. Apparently you don't become an official "pensioner" until the age of 66

He could have only got the pension at 65 (transition pension) if he had completely finished work at 65. as he is still working part-time at 66, that doesnt appear to have been the case, so he was quite correct in waiting till 66. Doesnt need to apply for the free travel, it will come automatically.

phoenix999

mrsbyrne wrote: »

He could have only got the pension at 65 (transition pension) if he had completely finished work at 65. as he is still working part-time at 66, that doesnt appear to have been the case, so he was quite correct in waiting till 66. Doesnt need to apply for the free travel, it will come automatically.

Yes, he was actually working full time until he reached 66. And he thought he would get the pension automatically. I had to remind him to apply. Thanks for clarifying that.

HelenV

I'm looking for advice for a very close friend. David will be 65 in October. He's worked all his life until last year when he had to claim JB. His JB is due to expire at the end of August but due to wife's income he won't qualify for JA for the 6 weeks before his 65th birthday.

Does anyone know if David is entitled to the Transition Pension in these circumstances upon reaching his 65th birthday?

maringo

Looks like he won't get it. Rules change for people 65 in 2014 link to welfare page. Facility on the page to ask them a question but he should make sure he signs on even if he won't receive any money to keep his record up to date until he reaches 66.

http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/State-Pension-Transition.aspx

HelenV

Thanks for that. However so far as I remember when they reduced the JB from 12 to 9 months they conceded that it was unreasonable for a person to seek employment past the age of 65. For this reason I understood that anyone claiming JB at the age of 65 would automatically be transferred to the Transitional Pension scheme. He's been claiming JB for 8 months now and will be short 4 weeks by the time he reaches age 65. Surely there is a caveat somewhere to take account of this four week shortfall so someone won't be left penniless for 13 months!!

mrsbyrne

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/unemployed_people/older_jobseekers.html

Please read the above.
David is going to continue getting his Job seekers until his 66th birthday as quite clearly stated in the first paragraph of this page.
Transition Pension was abolished on the 1January 2014 with no exceptions.

HelenV

Thank you so much for that mrsbyrne. SW have written to him stating he is only entitled to claim JB for another couple of weeks. The man is nearly suicidal. He actually called to Citizens Information about this but whoever he spoke to gave him little or no hope.

mrsbyrne

HelenV wrote: »

Thank you so much for that mrsbyrne. SW have written to him stating he is only entitled to claim JB for another couple of weeks. The man is nearly suicidal. He actually called to Citizens Information about this but whoever he spoke to gave him little or no hope.

Print out the page I posted. Highlight the second paragraph. Take it to SW office and everything should be OK. This is new to them also.

HelenV

mrsbyrne wrote: »

Print out the page I posted. Highlight the second paragraph. Take it to SW office and everything should be OK. This is new to them also.

You've no idea how grateful I am for this information.

mrsbyrne

Will you let us know how you get on.
Actually, as more evidence, prin this out also , and bring it with you to the SW office.
From SW website:

http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Jobseeker's-Benefit.aspx

HelenV

I most certainly will let you know the outcome - hopefully it's a positive one.

The second link didn't seem quite as informative regarding his situation as the first though or am I missing something?

What he (we) are most concerned about is the couple of weeks he's not actually entitled to JB before his 65th birthday. He wouldn't qualify for JA and I had understood one had to be on JB at the time of the 65th birthday.

I'll be speaking to him to-morrow. He's just all confused and now discovers he hasn't given the 3 month notice to SW about the Transitional Pension either - I just spotted that requirement this evening.

Nighty nite and thanks again.

mrsbyrne

HelenV wrote: »

I most certainly will let you know the outcome - hopefully it's a positive one.

The second link didn't seem quite as informative regarding his situation as the first though or am I missing something?

What he (we) are most concerned about is the couple of weeks he's not actually entitled to JB before his 65th birthday. He wouldn't qualify for JA and I had understood one had to be on JB at the time of the 65th birthday.

I'll be speaking to him to-morrow. He's just all confused and now discovers he hasn't given the 3 month notice to SW about the Transitional Pension either - I just spotted that requirement this evening.

Nighty nite and thanks again.

No. He won't be getting Transition Pension. He will continue to get Job seekers up until his 66th birthday.
Even though his entitlement to JSB ends before his 65 birthday. That's quite clear in both Citizens website and SW website.
Transition Pension is gone.

HelenV

mrsbyrne wrote: »

No. He won't be getting Transition Pension. He will continue to get Job seekers up until his 66th birthday.
Even though his entitlement to JSB ends before his 65 birthday. That's quite clear in both Citizens website and SW website.
Transition Pension is gone.

So sorry to be labouring on this point but I must be as thick as two short planks - honestly :-)

I'm reading the CI link as saying this applies to people who are claiming JB at the time of their 65 birthday. His will have ended 7 weeks before he reaches that age. He won't qualify for JA so basically he won't be receiving any payment at all on his 65th birthday.

The CI link doesn't mention the necessity to not do means test. Has that been done away with for people coming up to their 65th birthday?

maringo

Why don't you give Welfare pensions section in Sligo a phone call. I found them to be very helpful when I had a query.

DanDublin1982

mrsbyrne wrote: »

Please read the above.
David is going to continue getting his Job seekers until his 66th birthday as quite clearly stated in the first paragraph of this page.
Transition Pension was abolished on the 1January 2014 with no exceptions.

Given that he wont be 65 when his job seekers benefit expires I don't think this is correct.

HelenV

DanDublin1982 wrote: »

Given that he wont be 65 when his job seekers benefit expires I don't think this is correct.

This situation would never have arisen if the time scale hadn't been reduced from 12 to 9. If he's refused I will personally be banging down the door of every FG/LAB politician from hell to Connaught!!!

HelenV

mrsbyrne wrote: »

No. He won't be getting Transition Pension. He will continue to get Job seekers up until his 66th birthday.
Even though his entitlement to JSB ends before his 65 birthday. That's quite clear in both Citizens website and SW website.
Transition Pension is gone.

I'm back with my update mrsbyrne :-)

He was over with SW this morning where he went armed with CI info and a list of queries.

He's just come back to say he still has to fill out the means test form regardless of whether he feels he'll qualify or not. Regarding receiving the equivalent of the Transitional Pension at age 65 he was advised that every case is examined individually and he may / may not qualify for benefit - they won't know until he fills in the means test form. It still appears he'll not be entitled to anything between now and his 65th birthday though.

SW pointed out that he should be receiving JB at the time of his 65th birthday to qualify for benefit automatically.

He did say whoever he spoke to was very helpful and very courteous but he's returned from his visit slightly deflated to say the least.

HelenV

Depressing news: My very good friend has been been turned down for benefits of any kind between now and his 66th birthday - 13 months in total. As he says himself he hasn't even 3d in his pocket. It is an absolute disgrace that any country could treat an elderly man who has worked and contributed to this state since the age of 16 years. Well done Ireland.

DanDublin1982

Sorry to hear that. The unfortunate reality is that situations like this arise quite regularly where rules change.

the_syco

HelenV wrote: »

Depressing news: My very good friend has been been turned down for benefits of any kind between now and his 66th birthday - 13 months in total.

Well, that sucks. Was any reason given? Is it possible he missed something on the form when he was filling it out??

HelenV

the_syco wrote: »

Well, that sucks. Was any reason given? Is it possible he missed something on the form when he was filling it out??

Nope. The blasted rules state he should have been claiming JB on his 65th birthday in order for him to transfer to what was previously known as the transitional pension. After almost 50 years contributing to the "system" he is now being thrown to the wolves by this government's change of rules in 2013.

He's 5 weeks short of his 65th birthday and the poor beggar is being cast aside to sink or swim for 13 months. I am just sickened. He's a sorry sorry sight I can assure you - poor divel

Worst of all - we voted that shower in

DanDublin1982

You're overstating things here a bit I feel. He's faced the same means test as anybody else and has been found to be means in excess. How is that being thrown to the wolves?

Cushie Butterfield

HelenV wrote: »

Nope. The blasted rules state he should have been claiming JB on his 65th birthday in order for him to transfer to what was previously known as the transitional pension. After almost 50 years contributing to the "system" he is now being thrown to the wolves by this government's change of rules in 2013.

He's 5 weeks short of his 65th birthday and the poor beggar is being cast aside to sink or swim for 13 months. I am just sickened. He's a sorry sorry sight I can assure you - poor divel

Worst of all - we voted that shower in

I can understand why you might feel upset at the way the system works, but the rules are there & if we start turning the thread into a bashing one it will no doubt be closed.

If he falls between the cracks as regards entitlements & is in financial difficulty to such an extent that he can't afford to eat or pay basic utility bills there is help out there for him in the form of Supplementary Welfare Allowance. This is means tested, so if it turns out that he can't afford to live on what he has he will get state aid until he is entitled to a state pension.

HelenV

Cushie Butterfield wrote: »

I can understand why you might feel upset at the way the system works, but the rules are there & if we start turning the thread into a bashing one it will no doubt be closed.

If he falls between the cracks as regards entitlements & is in financial difficulty to such an extent that he can't afford to eat or pay basic utility bills there is help out there for him in the form of Supplementary Welfare Allowance. This is means tested, so if it turns out that he can't afford to live on what he has he will get state aid until he is entitled to a state pension.

I am not just upset - I am ANGRY. Unlike you I cannot accept without question a recently changed system which sees fit to treat our older citizens as beggars. He has paid into the system for practically all of his life for heaven's sake. Older people have their pride... I simply don't believe it's a just system which penalizes so harshly an elderly man fell short by 5 weeks after nearly 50 years due to a recent rule change. Again unlike you I believe that new rules albeit with possibly unintended consequences should have a degree of flexibility.

Cushie Butterfield

HelenV wrote: »

I am not just upset - I am ANGRY. Unlike you I cannot accept without question a recently changed system which sees fit to treat our older citizens as beggars. He has paid into the system for practically all of his life for heaven's sake. Older people have their pride... I simply don't believe it's a just system which penalizes so harshly an elderly man fell short by 5 weeks after nearly 50 years due to a recent rule change. Again unlike you I believe that new rules albeit with possibly unintended consequences should have a degree of flexibility.

I've already stated that I can understand that you are upset & for what it's worth I've no problem with you taking your anger out on me. No-one here has the power to change legislation or social welfare rules. You have no idea what my opinion on the system is & if I was going to let you know that opinion I would be doing so in the politics forum. I didn't say that I agreed with the system - I merely stated that if you turn the thread into a bashing one that it will no doubt be closed.

People are trying to help you here by pointing out what help may or may not be available to your friend within the boundaries of current legislation & social welfare rules. That is all anyone can do here & if you allow your anger to cloud your ability to see or accept this then I'm sorry to have to remind you that it will achieve absolutely nothing, nada, zero - certainly no help to your friend.

You said he was being thrown to the wolves - I stated that there is help out there for him if as you stated the poor beggar is being cast aside to sink or swim for 13 months. He wouldn't sink. He could apply for SWA, & if he is eligible for it he wouldn't be cast aside & would get it.

the_syco

HelenV wrote: »

He's 5 weeks short of his 65th birthday and the poor beggar is being cast aside to sink or swim for 13 months. I am just sickened. He's a sorry sorry sight I can assure you - poor divel

If you feel sorry for him, I'd advise you to help filling out the form, and also look into how much hours/days he's on now, compared to how many hours/days he can work and receive benefit.

For example, I think it may be better if you work 5 hours over 2 days as opposed to one hour 5 days?

HelenV

the_syco wrote: »

If you feel sorry for him, I'd advise you to help filling out the form, and also look into how much hours/days he's on now, compared to how many hours/days he can work and receive benefit.

For example, I think it may be better if you work 5 hours over 2 days as opposed to one hour 5 days?

Ah I've calmed down now.

He was made redundant and only had 9 months JB.

Who's going to give a 65 yr old a job?

SW advise him he cannot go on any of the courses available to jobseekers either - seems really harsh to me.

the_syco

HelenV wrote: »

Who's going to give a 65 yr old a job?

Ah, I was thinking of the OP, whose thread you had hijacked.

HelenV wrote: »

SW advise him he cannot go on any of the courses available to jobseekers either - seems really harsh to me.

Anything in here?

HelenV

the_syco wrote: »

Ah, I was thinking of the OP, whose thread you had hijacked.


Anything in here?

Woops - you're right. I shouldn't have got carried away. My apologies to the OP

eastbono

HelenV I have sent you a pm.

danjo-xx

HelenV wrote: »

He's 5 weeks short of his 65th birthday and the poor beggar is being cast aside to sink or swim for 13 months. I am just sickened. He's a sorry sorry sight I can assure you - poor divel

You can have 79k in savings and get a reduced rate JSA of €2pw.
So he must have more than that, so no one sinking here at all.:)

I lost out by these new changes too as I'm sure many of us have.

HelenV

danjo-xx wrote: »

You can have 79k in savings and get a reduced rate JSA of €2pw.
So he must have more than that, so no one sinking here at all.:)

I lost out by these new changes too as I'm sure many of us have.

The man has absolutely no savings at all. He's in serious financial difficulties I'm not going into here.

I'm sorry to hear you too lost out and if I lost my job in the morning I'd be in the same position as well but honestly his case is very different.

DanDublin1982

Is he at least signing for credits? He should be.

HelenV

DanDublin1982 wrote: »

Is he at least signing for credits? He should be.

Yes he is - thank you.