Jobseekers Benefit

mattaius

I moved to West Ireland from the UK last year, wasn't able to find work so claimed Jobseekers Allowance. After 3 months my claim was rejected due to habitual residence conditions which I didn't satisfy.

I then moved to Dublin and found a temp job, when that finished I had to move back to the West, and put a claim in for Jobseekers Benefit - I used my first Irish stamps and I believe the local office have sent off for my English NI contributions to use to qualify for this type of payment.

My claim was put in 12 weeks ago today.
The local office told me the main office have tried to send me a letter asking for more info, but weren't happy that I was living at the address I stated on my claim, and that I had to get my landlord to sign a bill to say I am living at that address.

So this was done last week and I'm still waiting for a letter off them. The lady at the local office reckons it's a letter asking for passport photographs for a new ID card.

Anyhoo... just yesterday I was offered a full time permanent position back in Dublin which I've accepted and due to start next week.

My questions are, if I tell the local social office about this and sign off, will I still receive payment covering the last 12 weeks? And with me moving back to Dublin, is this gonna turn into a major ball ache to get this money?

I have worked all my life in England and since I moved here, other than the temp job I found, i have been on my arse and thankfully I've not had to pay any bills or rent because of the position I'm in.
It seems because I'm not an Irish national, even though I have worked, want to work and will be working again soon, I'm unable to get any help with any supplementary payment because I can't pass the habitual residence condition.
(I understand the differences between Jobseekers Allowance, Benefit, and Supplementary).

Anyway... does anyone know how much longer I have to wait, and how I will get this money, will it be in the form of a cheque, or will it be paid in instalments etc? Obviously I will not be drawing money off the social when I am working full time.

If anyone can please please offer any advice I would really really appreciate it. As the folk round here say: this has been 'driving my head' for months now!!!

biko

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