jobseekers allowance-spouse means test

Gee_G

Yes, another question about JA....
I have been searching online for the answers but Its all very confusing!
Is it gross income or net income that is means tested?
It says on some pages that it's only PRSI that's deducted from gross before its means tested? then others it says reasonable travel expenses are deducted too. And is there no allowance in means test for a child?
I'm sorry, I know, big list of questions!
I have been in contact with SW its just making no sense to me how they can means test you on partners gross income!

mp22

Your spouse's, civil partner's or cohabitant's income from employment is assessed in the means test for Jobseeker’s Allowance.
Their income from work is assessed in the same way as your income from work (if any). To work out what your spouse's, civil partner's or cohabitant's means from work is:

• Deduct €20 per day from your spouse's, civil partner's or cohabitant's assessable earnings for each day worked up to a maximum of €60 (including Sunday)
• Next get 60% of the balance. This is assessed as his or her weekly means from work.

Assessable weekly earnings - €20 per day (maximum €60 for 3 days work) = total x 60% = weekly means from work.


From here http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/irish_social_welfare_system/means_test_for_social_welfare_payments/work_and_jobseekers_allowance.html#lee4ad


I would be inclined to take income to mean take home pay.
There is no allowance for child care in the means test that I am aware of.

eastbono

Gee_G wrote: »

Yes, another question about JA....
I have been searching online for the answers but Its all very confusing!
Is it gross income or net income that is means tested?
It says on some pages that it's only PRSI that's deducted from gross before its means tested? then others it says reasonable travel expenses are deducted too. And is there no allowance in means test for a child?
I'm sorry, I know, big list of questions!
I have been in contact with SW its just making no sense to me how they can means test you on partners gross income!

A spouses means test:- They will have a personal rate of €188 and adult dependant rate of €124.80 and child dependant rate of €29.80 x by the number of children. Spouses earnings are assessed on gross figure less prsi and pension deductions. Lets say after these deductions spouse is earning €500 then €60 is deducted from this figure= €20 per day up to a max of 3 days disregard. €440 remains ... 60% of this is assessed as means = €264. Lets have the family unit of claimant, adult dependant and 1 child dependant = a starting point of €342.60 less means of €264 will give spouse a jsa payment of €78.60. I hope this makes some sense for you.

Gee_G

Thanks for the replies! When it's all on front of me like that it does make sense but I do think it's slightly ridiculous that they don't test after tax etc.
I have also just been looking up about FIS and from what I have read on the welfare website that is means tested on net income so that might be worth a look. I am on JA at the minute but I've also just had a baby and all they are willing to give me is €70/week which includes my child on my claim. we've just worked out that if he worked Part time rather than full time, we would be better off! It wouldn't encourage people to find work
Thanks again! (Rant over!! Ha ha)

rolexeagle1

Hey guys, I earn about 2,000 euro a month before tax, my SO was let go in November and was on supplementary welfare allowance before that as she was only part time. Since she was let go she was getting 260e a week from welfare. We live together rent is 800 a month bills about 100.

She just got her cheque in today for 144.80e, any explanation as to waht may be happening here, she is freaking out.

Any help greatly appreciated

Gee_G

srumball wrote: »

Hey guys, I earn about 2,000 euro a month before tax, my SO was let go in November and was on supplementary welfare allowance before that as she was only part time. Since she was let go she was getting 260e a week from welfare. We live together rent is 800 a month bills about 100.

She just got her cheque in today for 144.80e, any explanation as to waht may be happening here, she is freaking out.

Any help greatly appreciated

Ok so firstly, I don't know what supplementary welfare allowance is. But if you are living together she will be means tested on your wages if she is being means tested. Doesn't matter how much bills etc are, none of that is taken into consideration.

DiamondDave88

going to take a guess here and take you have two kids... your weekly earnings approx 460 less €60 insurable disregard and less €20 prsi approx, 60% of €380 leaves you with weekly means of 228... 372.40 is the family rate with two kids, less 228 means leaves you a weekly rate of €144 approx.. im open for correction here...