moving back to ireland -what can we expect

Cunning Stunt

Hi all,
my husband and I are going to be moving home to Ireland hopefully next year with our young child. While we both hope to be able to find full-time work, we are also aware that we may end up having to rely on social benefits for a time. My question is what social help can we expect to qualify for in this case?

Thanks

Marcusm

Google Social Welfare and "habitual residence" or use citizensinformation.ie

Basically, whether you are returning Irish or otherwise, you will need to satisfy the habitual residence test before you can access any benefits.

PLL

If you have not lived in Ireland for the last 3 years+ be prepared to be treated like sh*t. I'm not exaggerating.

mp22

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


Then here http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/unemployed_people/jobseekers_allowance.html


Then here http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/supplementary_welfare_schemes/rent_supplement.html

Balagan

MP22's links contain all the info so just to add that it is necessary to start collecting paperwork in advance of leaving your present country including sale of property, end of lease on property, ending of visas, closure of bank accounts, club memberships, child leaving school, documentation about the ending of employment etc., and, later, shipment home of your belongings, one way tickets etc., to produce in proving that Ireland has become your main centre of interest again. Then, when you arrive, you need to set about gathering reverse documentation here, opening bank accounts, buying/renting property, registering with a GP, school enrollment, joining clubs/libraries, work applications and references from mucky mucks etc. Would recommend that, if at all possible, you come visit in advance of your move for the purpose of getting a clear understanding of jobs market etc. Best of luck!

wmpdd3

OP, I had no idea you left! Yes all the above is correct. So not under estimate how much money you will have to have saved up to live on while you wait for your claim to be handled.

Also remember now you call to the social welfare office and get an appointment for a date to apply for JSA and as you will need loads of supporting documentation, there could be a further delay in the actual date that your claim will start.

Last year when a friend had to return unexpectedly, he waited 12 weeks before his claim was finally approved. He had been working outside the EU for 18 months.

Cushie Butterfield

Everything has been covered by some good advice already. The chances are that you won't run into any problems satisfying the HRC, but it's best to be forearmed just in case.

It's worth having a look at the actual HRC application form (pdf doc) here: http://www.welfare.ie/en/pdf/hrc1.pdf as well as the actual operational guidelines that DSP deciding officers use to determine your eligibility. It's a more detailed guide, a lot of which won't apply to you but some of it will: http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Habitual-Residence-Condition--Guidelines-for-Deciding-Offic.aspx Armed with what you will be asked coupled with what you can supply as evidence should make it easier for you to satisfy the conditions without any undue delay or any reason for doubt to be cast over your main centre of interest & long term intentions of staying in Ireland.

You may also want to contact Safe Home Ireland which is a registered charity, to assist with the difficulty experienced by a minority of returning Irish emigrants in demonstrating their intention to live here permanently for the purposes of satisfying the HRC. Safe-Home also designed a declaration which will confirm where a customer is engaging with them as part of their repatriation. The declaration should be associated with any social assistance claim a customer might make. This measure should help to expedite the decision-making process in these cases as it can be accepted as proof that the customer has returned to reside in the State on a permanent basis.

It was set up mainly for older returning emigrants, but they provide free confidential service is aimed at anyone thinking of returning or moving to Ireland, regardless of age or circumstances, so you'd have nothing to lose by contacting them also: http://www.safehomeireland.com/contact.php

Firing off a number of enquiry type emails with the view of printing them out & including with your HRC/JSA application to different employers/creches/schools/estate agents between now & when you return home in which you specifically state your intentions of returning home in the new year might also be a good idea.

Don't get stressed out over the HRC - you aren't the first person to return home after living & working abroad & certainly won't be the last. Like most other applications if you genuine & truthful & are able to supply a bit of proof of this you shouldn't run into any problems that can't be clarified.

Cunning Stunt

Thanks everyone for the responses - wow, I had better get started!

Help!!!!

PLL wrote: »

If you have not lived in Ireland for the last 3 years+ be prepared to be treated like sh*t. I'm not exaggerating.

Its not quite that bad.....moved back after being away for 18 years.
If you all have PPI numbers then you will be a step ahead