Social welfare officer

Dettay

Ok so I'm back living in Ireland since August 21st I still have not received a penny from social welfare . The social welfare officer rang me today to say she will call to me when she is in the area but she couldn't tell me when that would be is this normal? She spoke to me like I was dirt. It's not my choice to be back in Ireland my mother passed away in august and I'm now looking for work to get me through until Christmas after I'll prob head back to my job in NZ also my letter was addressed to my mother with my pps number on it. I've been away for years and I'm not use to this treatment is this normal? This is the first time I have signed on

Balagan

Condolences on the passing of your mother.

It is quite a complicated process now. Being Irish, you have, of course, a full right to live here. However, to be eligible for a social assistance payment (such as the means tested Jobseekers Allowance) given that you have been away for years, you will have to prove that you have severed all your ties abroad, job, bank accounts etc., lease ended, any property sold etc., and intend making Ireland your main centre of interest. Documentary evidence such as shipment slips, closing of bank accounts abroad etc., will be required as well as evidence of doing the reverse here i.e., opening bank accounts etc.,

Once your right to reside has been established the following 5 factors (which have been set down in Irish and European law) are examined to find out if you are habitually resident in Ireland:
Length and continuity of residence in Ireland
Length and purpose of any absence from Ireland
Nature and pattern of employment
Your main centre of interest
Your future intentions to live in Ireland as it appears from the evidence
You can find out more about the 5 factors in the Operational Guidelines on the Department of Social Protection's website. The Department of Social Protection has also published a supplement to the Guidelines with scenarios which show how the habitual residence condition is applied in practice. http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/irish_social_welfare_system/social_assistance_payments/residency_requirements_for_social_assistance_in_ireland.html

You may be entitled to Supplementary Welfare Allowance while awaiting outcome of your Jobseekers Application. http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/supplementary_welfare_schemes/supplementary_welfare_allow.html