If I go back to Ireland, will I get any welfare?

kraggy

Hi,

Been out of Ireland since April last year. Since it's now October, that means that I am just passing having been out of the country for 18 months.

I want to go back home to finish my qualifications. This involves getting a job in that area, but can I claim the "dole" while waiting for a job?

I've worked in Korea for the last 18 months. I'm in my thirties.

Also, if I am entitled to welfare, can I also claim rent allowance? I only anticipate needing welfare in the short term.

Any advice would be great. Thanks.

mp22

Start here http://www.welfare.ie/EN/OperationalGuidelines/Pages/habres.aspx

As you probably wont qualify for JSB here next http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/unemployed_people/jobseekers_allowance.html

If you are awarded JSA there is a chance you will get rent allowance http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/supplementary_welfare_schemes/rent_supplement.html

stefanovich

Know someone who is an Irish citizen who arrived back after more than 15 years in the US and UK. It was a massive struggle to get benefit. They even suggested he move back to the UK. He waited months and months and months, had to contact local politicians, appeal etc etc. Be prepared to fight for it and have enough money to survive for several months before even considering it. Even if they give you no trouble there is a huge waiting list.

While waiting you can get money from the health centre but that again was a gruelling and humiliating process.

Also as a student you will not get dole. Back to education allowance is there but only if you are long term unemployed.

Equality

This is why young people who are considering emigration should think carefully before leaving Ireland, particularly if they have never worked in Ireland.

If life does not go well abroad, they may come back to Ireland, thinking they can access welfare as they are Irish, and were born here.

They may find that they face the same habitual residence test as anyone else, and that it literally takes years to get access to social welfare.

There was a court case recently where an Irish woman came back with children, and was refused welfare. I did not hear the outcome, but she was effectively left peniless with kids. She had to go to court to try to force the Minister to pay supplementary welfare allowance and rent allowance. I'm guessing that her parents were dead, and she literally had nowhere else to go.

In your case, if you worked in 2010 you may actually be entitled to benefit, which has no residence requirement. Otherwise you can apply for allowance. Best of luck with it.

UDP

It could take up to 6 months for your dole application to be processed but yo can go down to the local health centre and apply for supplementary welfare allowance in the meantime.
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/supplementary_welfare_schemes/supplementary_welfare_allow.html

Equality

Supplementary welfare is also subject to the habitual residence condition. You should apply for it when you get back to Ireland, but be very glad you were gone less than two years. You should be ok on habitual residence, but there are cases of Irish people being refused any money and basically told the state will pay for a flight back to Saudi or US or Canada or Spain.

This is why anyone thinking of leaving Ireland should think carefully before they leave.

The most basic form of state support, supplementary welfare, may not be available to returning Irish emigrants.

stefanovich

UDP wrote: »

It could take up to 6 months for your dole application to be processed but yo can go down to the local health centre and apply for supplementary welfare allowance in the meantime.
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/supplementary_welfare_schemes/supplementary_welfare_allow.html

This can also be a tough process I have heard. Expect them to be very suspicious of your claim. Be resolute and don't get upset when they repeatedly ask you the same questions in an attempt to catch you out etc etc.

So much welfare fraud and long term unemployed in this country. It should not be a career choice. Genuine people in need of some temporary support are the ones losing out. We really need some radical reform in this area.

The government should force people to work for their dole after 6 months or so.

mp22

Closed