A bit of an unusual situation

TheJinMu

Hi all,

I have been living in an apartment with my boyfriend (Or "co-habitant" as they like to call it) since May last year (2012). Since then I have been getting €125 a week (except when I did an 11week FAS course,) gained and lost a JobBridge position just before Christmas (they said they were definitely taking me on then changed their mind... ) and applied all around me for work, to no avail (yet.)

Anyway, my boyfriend has to move to Dublin for work mid February, so I was wondering if anyone could enlighten me as to whether I'd get the full amount of social welfare now and/or rent allowance? The biggest problem is that rent is €500 a month altogether-which I clearly cant afford alone. The max rent a month [with regard to S.W.] for where I'm living is €350, but I cant find anywhere for rent around here in that limit! Not that I want to move either. HOPEFULLY I can find work soon and this will all be void (I have one place I am doing everything in my power to get an interview for, and it would be amazing to get a job there!) but judging on how the last year has gone it probably wont happen... and it feels like the only people who get help from S.W is people who have no intention of working ever again

I'll go into the S.W. office Tuesday, but I'd rather be prepared for it. Know what I'm entitled to so they dont fob me off with a "no sorry, no help for you". Advice, knowledge, experience is VERY much appreciated here,

Thanks guys!

eastbono

I cant comment on the rent allowance but if you are no longer co-hab then you need to let sw know and they can adjust your jsa accordingly. I am presuming that you are over 25 if this is the case then you will get €188 pw jsa.

TheJinMu

24 unfortunately, but I was getting the full €188 up until I moved, does that mean I still will?

eastbono

TheJinMu wrote: »

24 unfortunately, but I was getting the full €188 up until I moved, does that mean I still will?

It sounds like you linked back to 2009 before the rate changes therefore you should receive the €188 on the info you have given. Be sure and say that to them in sw office that you were getting €188 before co-hab kicked in.

TheJinMu

Ok thanks for that, will do!

Does anyone have any idea about rent allowance?...

Tasden

Unfortunately if your rent is above the limit set for your area they wont even entertain your claim for rent supplement, they will just write back saying unless you renegotiate or move they can't process your application. Hope this helps.

TheJinMu

I went into SW yesterday and she said that even though he'll be moving out we'd still be considered as co-habiting?? Thats completely wrong anyway because I went straight to citizen's information and they told me she was wrong! I'll just have to keep looking for work and try my chances anyway to see can I get rent allowance. Unlikely but god loves a tryer!

Is there jobs threads here?..

EDIT:
I know there's this one: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056271450 in "Work & Jobs", ha ha, sorry :P

eastbono

Thats rubbish about you being co-hab unless of course he is coming home for weekends then it might be considered that you are still co-hab. Get a decision from them in writing and appeal it.

Tasden

Don't go through the official appeals route. The process can take up to a year. Ask for them to put this in writing for you and then write to them asking them to review their decision and attach a copy of the written explanation. Make sure you state why you're asking for the review ie use relevant legislation etc.

However you may be told they can't give you this in writing and you will just have to apply as single etc and see what way you're assessed and THEN request a review based on a concrete decision because technically being told you will be assessed a certain way isn't subject to appeal unless it has been put in place on your claim if you get me.

Seems more like a misunderstanding or the person you were speaking to had their wires crossed. If your partner was in Dublin for work for 5 days and came back home at the weekend then they do in some cases consider it as co habitting but it is assessed on a case by case basis.

TheJinMu

Tasden wrote: »

Don't go through the official appeals route. The process can take up to a year. Ask for them to put this in writing for you and then write to them asking them to review their decision and attach a copy of the written explanation. Make sure you state why you're asking for the review ie use relevant legislation etc.

However you may be told they can't give you this in writing and you will just have to apply as single etc and see what way you're assessed and THEN request a review based on a concrete decision because technically being told you will be assessed a certain way isn't subject to appeal unless it has been put in place on your claim if you get me.

Wow, I'm sorry but that was confusing! It was just a verbal thing, they were very busy (signing day after christmas) and he wont be moving until February so nothing has been "decided" yet. I just wanted to check everything and know where I stand so it doesn't come to him being gone, me being alone and THEN being told I wont get any help, having to move and lose my deposit etc. Preparing for it.

Tasden

TheJinMu wrote: »

Wow, I'm sorry but that was confusing! It was just a verbal thing, they were very busy (signing day after christmas) and he wont be moving until February so nothing has been "decided" yet. I just wanted to check everything and know where I stand so it doesn't come to him being gone, me being alone and THEN being told I wont get any help, having to move and lose my deposit etc. Preparing for it.

Sorry! I was kind of more answering to the previous post about getting them to put this all in writing so you can appeal it.

My point was that an appeal- if it came to that- would not be the way to go as it takes up to a year through that process whereas a request to a local office directly to review their decision based on x y or z can get things sorted a lot quicker.

My next point was basically what you are saying- it was an off the cuff comment, not a decision on your case ( as you say you wanted to know where you stand before you go changing your claim, you didn't get denied anything or whatever) so any type of appeal or review is pointless without it being in writing as a concrete decision on your particular case, ie AFTER you change your claim etc.
Like you can't really object to something until they actually enforce it on your claim so basically you need to make an appointment to talk to a deciding officer and ask about this because like you said you wanna know where you stand before changing anything so you're not left worse off.

Hope this makes it clearer, I should have quoted the post I was referring to!

maryk123

Ok your boyfriend is moving to Dublin. Why can't you move with him. Also you are not single as you were living with boyfriend all along so social welfare will treat you as a couple and take his income into account for your claim. Does this Make sense to you

Tasden

maryk123 wrote: »

Ok your boyfriend is moving to Dublin. Why can't you move with him. Also you are not single as you were living with boyfriend all along so social welfare will treat you as a couple and take his income into account for your claim. Does this Make sense to you

Single/in a relationship and co-habiting are two seperate things.

eastbono

Appeals can take up to 12 months. Normal procedure for an appeal is that the case is first reviewed at local office and if swlo still stand by their original decision then is it forwarded to the appeals office.

Anyway there is nothing to appeal in this case yet as OP is still co-hab.