Am i entitled to Social welfare??

karareilly

hey guys, just back from living in Canada almost 2 years... i Rang social welfare office and also the citizens information centre... Ive been told because i lived out of ireland for more than 18 months that i am not entitled to any benefits, this seems a bit unfair i dont want to be on the dole i do plan on working but just till i get up on my feet shouldnt they help me out a bit ....Any advice much appreciated...... feeling seriously let down by the system

cupthehand1

From the following link -

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/irish_social_welfare_system/social_assistance_payments/residency_requirements_for_social_assistance_in_ireland.html



The social welfare system in Ireland is divided into three main types of payments. These are:

• Social insurance payments: (for example, Jobseeker's Benefit)
• Means-tested payments or social assistance payments: (for example, Jobseeker's Allowance)
• Universal payments: (for example, Child Benefit)

With all social welfare payments in Ireland, you must satisfy the rules for each scheme to qualify. You must also be habitually resident in Ireland to qualify for the following payments.


Returning Irish emigrants

EU rules prevent discrimination on nationality grounds in relation to social security, so it is not possible to exempt a particular category of Irish citizens (such as returning Irish emigrants) from the habitual residence condition (either in general or for Carer’s Allowance) without extending the same treatment to all EU nationals. However, the guidelines on determination of habitual residence address the issue of returning emigrants very specifically. The guidelines state: “A person who had previously been habitually resident in the State and who moved to live and work in another country and then resumes his/her long-term residence in the State may be regarded as being habitually resident immediately on his/her return to the State.”
When determining the main centre of interest for returning emigrants, Deciding Officers take account of:

• The purpose of your return, for example, because your foreign residence permit has expired
• Your stated intentions
• Verified arrangements which you have made in regard to returning on a long-term basis, for example, transfer of financial accounts and any other assets, termination of residence-based entitlements in the other country, or assistance from Safe-Home or a similar programme to enable Irish emigrants to return permanently
• Length and continuity of your previous residence in the State
• Your record of employment or self employment in another state and
• Whether you have maintained links with your previous residence and can be regarded as resuming your previous residence rather than starting a new period of residence.

karareilly

thanks a million very helpful , i did think the women i was speaking to didnt have a clue.... my best bet is to go down i suppose.

Rachiee

The section there really only refers to your ability to satisfy habitual residency condition. You still need to satisfy other conditions, ( you still have to of been paying tax to be entitled to job seekers benefit) you are probably entitled to a job seekers allowance whereby they will means test your household so you may get a small paynent rather than the full dole.Either way call into them.