Jobseekers Allowance when Married

ShaShaBear

Just trying to do some calculations here -

One person works 5 days per week, earning €365 per week after taxes. Based on the info on Citizen's Advice, would that mean that an unemployed spouse only gets €65 per week if they continued to claim JSA?

mp22

Means test uses the gross income less one or two items

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

The following items are always deducted from your gross earnings to get your assessable earnings from work:

• PRSI (social insurance contributions)
• Union dues
• Superannuation (pension)
• PRSAs (Personal Retirement Savings Accounts)
• AVCs (Additional Voluntary Contributions).

ShaShaBear

mp22 wrote: »

Means test uses the gross income less one or two items

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

The following items are always deducted from your gross earnings to get your assessable earnings from work:

• PRSI (social insurance contributions)
• Union dues
• Superannuation (pension)
• PRSAs (Personal Retirement Savings Accounts)
• AVCs (Additional Voluntary Contributions).

I'm pretty sure that's what he has deducted when he gets €365. Payslip says he gets €440 gross pay. Then PRSI and USC comes off that to give the €365.

eastbono

For means testing USC is not deducted. Even taking his gross figure and if its just a couple with no children the partner/spouse would receive €85 approx thats assuming that there isnt any income from any other source and of course the partner/spouse has to be available and looking for full time work.

ShaShaBear

eastbono wrote: »

For means testing USC is not deducted. Even taking his gross figure and if its just a couple with no children the partner/spouse would receive €85 approx thats assuming that there isnt any income from any other source and of course the partner/spouse has to be available and looking for full time work.

It isn't? Losing €75 a week in tax is bad enough No children, and I am heading back to college now in September for my final year of my degree. We're not living together presently, but were hoping to get a place in May when I finish college, and to get married shortly after. Not that the marriage really comes into it, but since I will be reverted to JSA in May, was just wondering how his earnings would affect it. Hopefully I can get work quickly so

eastbono

I wouldnt be up to speed with revenue related stuff but AFAIK when you are married and if one of the couple is unemployed then the person in employment can have the unemployed persons tax credits or a portion of them so the person in employments net earnings will increase.

USC is not disregarded for means testing.

Stheno

eastbono wrote: »

I wouldnt be up to speed with revenue related stuff but AFAIK when you are married and if one of the couple is unemployed then the person in employment can have the unemployed persons tax credits or a portion of them so the person in employments net earnings will increase.

USC is not disregarded for means testing.

Tax benefits for a married couple only come into affect when the sole earner is earning over 32k though, that's not the case here.

eastbono

Stheno wrote: »

Tax benefits for a married couple only come into affect when the sole earner is earning over 32k though, that's not the case here.

Thanks for that. As I said I wouldnt be up to speed with Revenue matters.