possibility of loosing my benefits

KALO

Hi guys, just need some advice if its available.
i am on jobseekers allowance which covers myself and my wife and two children.
we recieve rent supplement and medical cards.
I am just wondering if i was to take up fulltime employment in a job that pays approx 10 euro per hour for 35 hrs per week would i loose all my current benefits.
i must note that my wife lost her job last year so is currently unemployed presently.

i really want to work but i dont want to be any worse off, just need to know would i be entitled to any benefits if i take up full time employment?

any advice would be appreciated.

cheers folks.

Yenwod

Possibly FIS? http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/275_Family-Income-Supplement.aspx

GarysGirl

You would be entitled to keep medical card for up to three years. And as far as I am aware you could also continue on rent supplement, maybe at a slightly higher rate though.

KALO

Thanx guys so far for the replys, I will look into Getting FIS when the time comes. And if I continue to receive rent supplement for a time that would be of great help also.

Cheers again folks.

GarysGirl

also if the job you were to take up was 24 hours a week or under, providing you have been receiving jobseekers for 2 years, you can avail of the part time job incentive scheme, where you keep 119.00 of your weekly payment on top of your wages from employment.

KALO

Thanks again garysgirl but as far as I know if I do get the job it's 35 hours per week so the fis might be the way to go, there's so many schemes within the social welfare system it's very confusing.

GarysGirl

Your welcome. Ya i absolutely agree ,it is very confusing.

Eoin

thread moved - this is a better forum for your question

KALO

Sorry eoin I just realised I posted in the wrong forum.

eastbono

Just going on the gross figure and AFAIK its the nett that is used in FIS calculations you would receive €151 pw from FIS. Have a look at this link here re your rent supplement in particular the paragraph in relation to Employment and Rent Supplement

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/supplementary_welfare_schemes/rent_supplement.html

KALO

Thanks eastbono, so if I was getting 350 approx per week I would receive 150 approx fis and keep all or most of my rent supplement.
So I would be 150 better off a week working 35 hrs per week.

eastbono

I couldnt comment on your rent supplement. My reading of the link re rent supplement is that if you work full time you lose your rent supplement but there are exemptions. My best advice to you is to contact your rent supplement provider and get clarification on your individual situation.

Given the approx figure you have given then yes that is an approx for fis. http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Family-Income-Supplement-FIS---SW-22.aspx

I think FIS is being processed fairly quickly now but have a look on here as there is a thread going on this.

I just had a quick read of your OP and I have another suggestion... if your partner was made unemployed last year looking for full time work she could open a jobseekers allowance claim only if she is available and looking for full time work and doing the maths she would receive €198 pw approx. and you should still receive something on fis... I think it would be the minimum payment of €20 pw.

KALO

Hi guys thanx for all your responses, I had another interview for a different job today offering to pay me 28 k gross per annum although I really want this job I have a wife and two kids to support and I'm really worried about taking up this job and loosing my benefits including rent supplement.
I guess I will take a visit to my local social welfare office and let them no the situation and see how I get on there.

Cheers all.

JustAddWater

KALO wrote: »

Hi guys thanx for all your responses, I had another interview for a different job today offering to pay me 28 k gross per annum although I really want this job I have a wife and two kids to support and I'm really worried about taking up this job and loosing my benefits including rent supplement.
I guess I will take a visit to my local social welfare office and let them no the situation and see how I get on there.

Cheers all.

visit the welfare office and tell them you've a job offer and might not take it and they'll tell you things you don't want to hear

you're supposed to be available and actively looking for work and not refusing job offers so you can stay on benefits

It's a mad situation and what's known as a welfare trap and you're not the only one in that boat... It's frustrating when someone who wants to work and earn their way in life will actually stand to lose by working so chooses to continue on state support and it's a problem that the government dont seem to give a flying hoot about

Look after your own is the best advise I personally can give, just be careful what you say as welfare office would be looking to cut you off the first chance they can if they think you're refusing jobs, they don't want to know that you'll be worse off. They wont see it that way

KALO

Cheers thanx for the advice justaddwater. Yep its a difficult decision to be in but in reality it shouldn't be. I will discuss it further with my family and hopefully if I get the job offer I will accept it. Cheers again

GOODME

Citizen information is the way to go, they will give you advise and might help you with calculations. Give them a call.

But with benefits don't expect to keep all, you will be happy though.

MouseTail

KALO wrote: »

Cheers thanx for the advice justaddwater. Yep its a difficult decision to be in but in reality it shouldn't be. I will discuss it further with my family and hopefully if I get the job offer I will accept it. Cheers again

I imagine there will be changes in the budget on Tuesday to address this. Its a crazy sirtuation for people like yourself for whom the sums dont stack up to come off benefits.

wait and see what is announced before making any decisions.