Jobseekers Benefit IQA

me4many

Hello all.

I'm looking for information from anyone who has got an "Increase for Qualified Adult" on job seekers Benefit.

This is the story.
Husband and wife both claiming Job seekers Benefit.
Wife's benefit ends end of month , husband's ends in six months.
Husband wants to put wife on his claim as a Qualified Adult on Benefit. ( as distinct from Allowance)
Neither person is claiming or earning any other money. ( they have some savings in the bank...dont know how much.)

Q: Is this IQA (increase for qualified adult ) means tested . It appears from reading the rules it is not but is that the reality.
What is the form number that will need to be completed.

Any info on this would be appreciated.

mp22

No means test for a qualified adult for some one on benefit (JSB)

eddiehen

mp22 wrote: »

No means test for a qualified adult for some one on benefit (JSB)

Not true, while there is no means test on the benefit itself, there is a means test on the IQA. As long as there's no income, property apart from the family home, and/or savings above 20k, then it should be OK. Having said that, if there is income, or savings just over 20k, then a reduced rate may be payable.

me4many

Above two replies shows the reason I asked the question.

When you read the rules on the web site it appears there is absolutely no means test OR questions about property/savings etc as long as it is Job seekers Benefit increase for qualified adult . It would be interesting to know what actually happens when you are at the desk applying for the benefit.

Does anyone know the application form number as I cannot see it on line !!!

Thanks.

danjo-xx

Seems pretty clear to me.

Claiming for dependents with Jobseeker's Benefit

If your spouse’s, civil partner or cohabitant is dependent on you or is on a low income you may be able to claim an increase in your payment for him or her. This increase is called an Increase for a Qualified Adult (IQA). If your adult dependant is earning €100 or less you will get the maximum IQA. If he or she is earning between €100 and €310 you will get a reduced rate of IQA. If your adult dependant is earning more than €310 you will not get an increase in your Jobseeker’s Benefit for your adult dependant.

http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Schemes/JobseekerSupports/JobseekersBenefit/Pages/jb.aspx

me4many

It does seem perfectly clear but I rang two different social welfare offices and they had two different answers. One says no means test the other says maybe.

eastbono

AFAIK the form is only available at your sw office. Think its 7a. QA on a jsb claim is subject to means if QA is working.

mp22

me4many wrote: »

Hello all.

I'm looking for information from anyone who has got an "Increase for Qualified Adult" on job seekers Benefit.

This is the story.
Husband and wife both claiming Job seekers Benefit.
Wife's benefit ends end of month , husband's ends in six months.
Husband wants to put wife on his claim as a Qualified Adult on Benefit.

As per your first post no means test.In 6 months when both are finished there benefits there will be a means test.

eddiehen

mp22 wrote: »

As per your first post no means test.In 6 months when both are finished there benefits there will be a means test.

Please stop with the conflicting posts! :eek:

The OP is enquiring is there a means test for the IQA, which there is. Fair enough they're both on benefit right now, but when the wife's benefit expires in a month she will be means tested for her own claim should she go down that route. Either way, 124.80 will be the maximum payable to her.

me4many

Thanks for all the replies .

Please note that the husband wants to put his wife on his claim. Wife is not making her own claim.

Not sure if it makes much difference but just to clear that up.

Thanks

Sue Ellen

Based on her becoming IQA on his claim and her being fully unemployed there is no means test. Max rate €312.80 assuming no kids.
If she becomes IQA on his claim she should apply for credits to keep her contributions up to date.
In six months he can apply for JA and if there are no means the rate will remain the same.

me4many

Thanks Sue Ellen.

It seems the important point here is that the wife will be going on to his benefit . It seems if she was claiming an increase on her own behalf then its means tested.

Lets hope you are right .

Thanks .

Sue Ellen

That's right on her own JA claim she would be means tested so if there are any means, apart from income she could be earning, she would be better on his claim until his benefit exhausts.
If they contact their Social Protection office they can advise them of this and ease their concerns. They will always be advised as to which option they will be better off on.

me4many

Thanks for that.
As I said earlier there may be some means but they don't want to go down that road for allowance.
I will pass on info.
Thanks again.

eastbono

Just to note IQA on benefit is means tested. In this instance the spouse is also in receipt of jsb then she will be deemed to have nil means. If the IQA were in employment then payslips would have to be provided in order to see if IQA or CDA were payable on the claim.

me4many

Thanks for info Eastbono.
Indeed both people are on Benefit at present. There are no dependence.
Thanks.