Jobseekers increase

Horseholetouch

I applied for and was approved for jobseekers' allowance when I was 21 at the rate of 100 euro a week which is the max for that age. However when I turned 22 my payment was increased to the full 188, although I understand that this can only be issued to those over 25 except in special circumstances.

I looked over these and am 99 percent sure it looks like I am entitled to the full 188 under one of these special circumstances (the one that applies to being unemployed before the new age related rules came in). I am wondering why I only got the increase upon turning 22. Could this be an error?

Horseholetouch

Anyone?

danjo-xx

Are you taking part in a work placement scheme?

Exceptions to age-related Jobseeker's Allowance payments for people under 25
The reduced age-related personal and qualified adult rates of Jobseeker’s Allowance for claimants under 25 years of age do not apply to:

• Claimants with dependent children
• People transferring to Jobseeker’s Allowance immediately after finishing their entitlement to Jobseeker’s Benefit
• People transferring from Disability Allowance to Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Existing Jobseeker’s Allowance claimants who are assessed at the higher rate of allowance, get work but lose that job and are back on Jobseeker’s Allowance within 12 months
• People under 25 participating in a course of education, training or Community Employment. (However, when the course ends you will return to an age-related JA payment, if you were getting one before you started the course.)
• People who were at least 20 years of age on 30 December 2009 and became unemployed on or before 30 December 2009
• People who were 18 or 19 on 30 December 2009 and became unemployed on or before 29 April 2009
• People aged 22 to 24 who are taking part in the Work Placement Programme

Certain children in the care of the HSE during the 12 months before reaching 18 years of age are also be assessed using the JA rate for people aged 25 or over.

Horseholetouch

Don't think so. Can you be automatically registered for this?

Horseholetouch

Anyone?

DiamondDave88

looks like an error to me.. your payment should only have increased to €144 when you turned 22...

PopTarts

Let them know.

When they realise a mistake was made (if that's what it is), they will raise an overpayment.

If you want to be paying money back for weeks / months / maybe years I'd let them know as soon as it's possible.

Horseholetouch

I am taking a year out of college and returning in september would this have any bearing?