Need advice ASAP about casual work payments

johnnymoss

Hi everyone,

I really need some advice because I just don't know what to do. Here's my situation:

I'm currently a casual worker, on one day a week. I receive my jobseekers payment and rent allowance. Recently I was offered some part time work two evenings a week (on different days to my other job). The problem is if I declare those two evenings, I would then be considered to be working 3 full days. But it's only a few hours, not full days. So I will lose money from my jobseekers and from rent allowance and basically end with less money overall.

If I don't declare this second evening work job to the social welfare office, can they find out easily? These days, I feel like the social welfare system and tax systems seem to be integrated, and if so they could tell by my tax payments that I was doing more work than I declared to them. Can they access this tax information and do they routinely check for it?

What would happen if I got caught?

I'm in a situation of either accepting work and lying to the social welfare office, which puts all future payments in jeopardy. Or refusing a job because I'd be worse off after losing jobseekers payments.

Is there any way around this?

FloatingVoter

The good old days when revenue and social welfare didn't co-operate are over. You will be found out if your boss in the 2nd job is paying you on the books.
So its a no-brainer....either declare the 2nd job, look for longer hours (and sign off), or don't take the extra employment. Only you can do the maths.

cee_jay

OP read the forum charter. Closed.