Jobseekers Benefit Appeal

Robmeister2011

Hi Guys,

Here's the story.

I recently lost my job and took myself down to the Social Welfare Local Office, where I was told that I would be entitled to Jobseekers Benefit. The lady set me a claim taking appointment, and I showed up with all the forms filled out, etc.

At the claim taking appointment I was told that it would have to go to a supervisor because she said she wasn't sure that I had been fired and it looked like I left my job. The supervisor subsequently penalised my claim, which I have now appealed.

I contacted a local TD's office (Noel Grealish) and the person I have been in contact with was extremely helpful, finding out that I was missing a letter from my employer backing my claim that I was unemployed (something the officers to this point had failed to tell me, even in the claim rejection letter).

I got the relevant letter, added it to my appeal and am now confident that it will be approved, but I have been told that this could take up to 3 maybe 4 months.

I called a CWO to make an appointment because I am totally out of cash having burned through my meagre savings the last month and they told me that they can't deal with me due to my claim being the subject of an appeal.

So my question is, does anyone know if there is anyone I can go to to get some kind of supplement? I can't go on borrowing off friends and things and need to get this sorted as soon as I can. Thanks in advance.

Rorster_123

Ask for your claim to be reviewed in the local office. Use your new letter as the basis for the review. Set out all the facts as to what happened in your last job.

The Deciding Officer would have received a letter your your employer about the circumstances of your last job finishing.
That is why you have been disallowed. Reviews are quicker than appeals.

Robmeister2011

I'll give that a go. Thanks for the information.

Robmeister2011

Just wondering, is there anything I can claim while my claim is under appeal? I'm in dire need and nowhere near getting a payment, as far as I am aware.

d9oiu2wk07blr5

Some good advice here OP;

If you have lodged an appeal and you are waiting on a hearing, or a decision, from the Social Welfare Appeals Office you may be entitled to claim a basic weekly payment under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme from the Department of Social Protection’s Representative, formerly known as a Community Welfare Officers (CWO).

The type of payment and amount you receive will depend on your individual circumstances. You may qualify for a weekly means tested payment to support you and your family and/or continued support of payment for Rent Supplement or Mortgage Interest Supplement. If you are refused a Basic Weekly payment under the SWA scheme pending the processing or outcome of your appeal you should:

• Ask for the decision in writing, you are entitled to receive this.
• Submit a request, preferably in writing, to the DSP Representative asking for a review of their original decision based on all the relevant information and facts available.
• If your request for a review is refused or if the review is unsuccessful you can lodge an appeal with the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
• If you lodge an appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office you can make a request for a Basic Weekly payment under the SWA scheme pending the outcome of your appeal.
• If you are refused a payment, your spouse, civil partner or cohabitant may be able to make a claim for themselves and any dependent children in their own right.

If you are awaiting the processing or outcome of an Appeal with the Social Welfare Appeals Office and you have insufficient income to meet your needs you can apply for an SWA Exceptional or Urgent Needs payment from the DSP Representative.


http://www.inou.ie/welfarerights/socialwelfareappeals.html

Robmeister2011

Took your advice today and discovered that my appeal hasn't even been sent yet and the person I was dealing with hadn't a clue why my claim status hadn't been changed, but I took the opportunity to request that it not be sent and simply reviewed, so this particular failure on their part may benefit me in the long run.