Serious help needed

Bubbles(",)

Hi everyone.
I am working part time & in receipt of the part time/casual workers allowance. A few months ago my partner (22 last July) was made homeless from his accommodation, in return this meant he came to live with me (I still live at home) and because he no longer lived in the county his Job Seekers Allowance was being paid to, he had to change over to my local social welfare. The Welfare officer at the time said the best thing was to put him down as a dependant on my payment, which we did. But now my partner has moved out of our house to his own rented accommodation. He has again had to move to a different social welfare and they have now put his payment back to €100 a week. The property he is living in does not take Rent Allowance. Is there any other options he has to get help as this leaves him with less than €20 after rent a week. He is extremely active in looking for work and has had an abundance of interviews but none successful. Any help whatsoever on info would be great. Thanks so much.

Gordon Minard

Wow, that's terrible . . . How are people supposed to live? €20.00 per Week???

I think that this country is a complete disaster for Property Rental etc. - here we are after the worst crash in history and Dublin House prices are increasing in double digits purely due to shortage . . .

I was listening to Joe Duffy, on day, and nearly cried . . . This 18 year old girl studying for her Leaving in a Hostel in the City Centre. She had been, up until quite recently, been "hostelled" with her Mom and two younger sisters but, now, since she turned 18 she was not allowed stay with her Mom and Sisters . . . . Sad, Crazy, Crazy - while the people who WRECKED this country, so called "property entrepreneurs" are on the make again . . .

Everybody, in Government and who have no money worries like to say how things are improving but your story is THE REAL STORY . . .

What kind of work is your partner looking for?

Bubbles(",)

Gordon Minard wrote: »

Wow, that's terrible . . . How are people supposed to live? €20.00 per Week???

I think that this country is a complete disaster for Property Rental etc. - here we are after the worst crash in history and Dublin House prices are increasing in double digits purely due to shortage . . .

I was listening to Joe Duffy, on day, and nearly cried . . . This 18 year old girl studying for her Leaving in a Hostel in the City Centre. She had been, up until quite recently, been "hostelled" with her Mom and two younger sisters but, now, since she turned 18 she was not allowed stay with her Mom and Sisters . . . . Sad, Crazy, Crazy - while the people who WRECKED this country, so called "property entrepreneurs" are on the make again . . .

Everybody, in Government and who have no money worries like to say how things are improving but your story is THE REAL STORY . . .

What kind of work is your partner looking for?

I know it's shocking to be honest, he will barely survive now it's been put to €100, he's looking for any kind of work at all, he has applied to over 60 jobs this week alone and has received 1 lousy email saying his CV will be passed to HR should anything come up.

Tasden

Bubbles(",) wrote: »

I know it's shocking to be honest, he will barely survive now it's been put to €100, he's looking for any kind of work at all, he has applied to over 60 jobs this week alone and has received 1 lousy email saying his CV will be passed to HR should anything come up.

Why was his jobseekers allowance put to €100 euro? Has he got another source of income or is it an age based reduction?

Bubbles(",)

Tasden wrote: »

Why was his jobseekers allowance put to €100 euro? Has he got another source of income or is it an age based reduction?

Age based as he is 22.

Tasden

Bubbles(",) wrote: »

Age based as he is 22.

So was his payment a different rate before he moved in with you and became an adult dependent or was it 100 before then too?

Bubbles(",)

Tasden wrote: »

So was his payment a different rate before he moved in with you and became an adult dependent or was it 100 before then too?

He was on €100 and would have been entitled to the €144 when he turned 22 but because he had to change social welfare to my payment and then leave my payment and open an new claim in another social welfare the claim started brand new (means test etc.) meaning he was not entitled to the €144 as it was seen as a new claim after Jan 2014.

My part time/casual payment before he was on it was €60, it increased to €184 when he joined. Meaning there was an extra €24

Tasden

Bubbles(",) wrote: »

He was on €100 and would have been entitled to the €144 when he turned 22 but because he had to change social welfare to my payment and then leave my payment and open an new claim in another social welfare the claim started brand new (means test etc.) meaning he was not entitled to the €144 as it was seen as a new claim after Jan 2014.

My part time/casual payment before he was on it was €60, it increased to €184 when he joined. Meaning there was an extra €24

Ok i get you now. Is there no way he can stay with you no? But I'm guessing there's a reason he moved into private rented acc when he cant afford it like.

I guess he will just have to hope he can find somewhere soon that accepts rent supplement, but he will have to have been renting privately for 6 months or else be on the housing list of the council of the area he plans to reside in in order to get it.

Could you not move in with him and claim for him as adult dependent? Not ideal i know, just a suggestion.

killanena

I have been in a similar situation as your boyfriend. I was 20, girlfriend is 21. She is doing full-time education and getting paid BTEA for it,
I was working for a year but was let go because they couldn't afford the staff and sense I was the youngest and least experience person they choose me. I had just signed another 6 month lease in my apartment the month before. After I lost my job I signed on to job seekers and we struggled to get by for the remaining 5 months. We had help in terms of food from her side of the family when they could afford to help. Im not really close to my family so no help there.

After the 5 months my girlfriend moved home. I moved in with her for a bit but I needed a place to call my own or at least where I had a room to myself. I found shared accommodation with a bunch of other lads a bit older then myself but the rent was cheep, 35 euro a week and bills split 5 ways. Things have picked up sense and I am now also doing a PLC course and getting BTEA (Im 21 now).

My advice to your boyfriend would be this:

Find a cheep place that is shared with 4+ people. I know easier said then done but usually they are not the types of places advertised online. I found my place by going to citizens information. 2 of the other lads I am living with found it the same way.

Work is hard to find while not doing anything. Employers are more likely to employ someone doing a course or anything.
He should try a FÁS course and if he is still is without work next year apply for a PLC course as when your 21 and over and been on social welfare for 3 months you are entitled to full BTEA which our age is €164 (FÁS is roughly the same + an extra 20 on top of that if he has been on social welfare for 12 months straight).


I hope I have helped in someway. I know exactly how frustrating it is.
You'd be thinking to yourself "Why wont anyone employ me?! I am young and willing to do ANY work for minimum wage.."

The government say they are improving conditions in this country.. All I've seen them do is force internships and FÁS courses upon people who might have no interest in that area to lower their unemployment figures so they get a nice smiley face sticker on their reports to the EU..

oh and by the way, NEVER DO AN INTERNSHIP. Unless you know the company has employed previous interns. It was waste of young life. Basically been paid €3.75 an hour for 40 hours work a week and been told to **** off after if you expect to be kept on. Me along with a lot of other people I have know have fallen into that trap.

Bubbles(",)

Tasden wrote: »

Ok i get you now. Is there no way he can stay with you no? But I'm guessing there's a reason he moved into private rented acc when he cant afford it like.

I guess he will just have to hope he can find somewhere soon that accepts rent supplement, but he will have to have been renting privately for 6 months or else be on the housing list of the council of the area he plans to reside in in order to get it.

Could you not move in with him and claim for him as adult dependent? Not ideal i know, just a suggestion.

I can't move in as I work too far away from the house and don't drive, it would take either 2 entire route bus journeys or a bus & a dart which would also leave me a good 45 minute walk away from the office.

Thanks for your advice and thoughtfulness. It's just so hard to get by day to day for him.

realdanbreen

Bubbles(",) wrote: »

Hi everyone.
I am working part time & in receipt of the part time/casual workers allowance. A few months ago my partner (22 last July) was made homeless from his accommodation, in return this meant he came to live with me (I still live at home) and because he no longer lived in the county his Job Seekers Allowance was being paid to, he had to change over to my local social welfare. The Welfare officer at the time said the best thing was to put him down as a dependant on my payment, which we did. But now my partner has moved out of our house to his own rented accommodation. He has again had to move to a different social welfare and they have now put his payment back to €100 a week. The property he is living in does not take Rent Allowance. Is there any other options he has to get help as this leaves him with less than €20 after rent a week. He is extremely active in looking for work and has had an abundance of interviews but none successful. Any help whatsoever on info would be great. Thanks so much.

Why can't he move back in with you?-problem solved.

Tasden

killanena wrote: »

oh and by the way, NEVER DO AN INTERNSHIP. Unless you know the company has employed previous interns. It was waste of young life. Basically been paid €3.75 an hour for 40 hours work a week and been told to **** off after if you expect to be kept on. Me along with a lot of other people I have know have fallen into that trap.

As someone who basically paid to go to work as an intern/trainee role for a short period of time (the childcare cost more than the wage the company paid me so I ended up working two jobs to afford it), and knowing that they wouldn't be in a position to hire me permanently directly afterwards i cant say i agree with you there.

If you choose an internship in the area that you actually plan to work in then that is experience to put on your cv. Its experience in the field and it fills any gaps in your cv. Whether or not i agree with jobbridge or not I would never rule out something like that just because its not a high wage or that it wont lead directly to full time work. If its used wisely it can lead to much better jobs long term so its up to the person to weigh up the pros and cons of such schemes.

Bubbles(",)

killanena wrote: »

I have been in a similar situation as your boyfriend. I was 20, girlfriend is 21. She is doing full-time education and getting paid BTEA for it,
I was working for a year but was let go because they couldn't afford the staff and sense I was the youngest and least experience person they choose me. I had just signed another 6 month lease in my apartment the month before. After I lost my job I signed on to job seekers and we struggled to get by for the remaining 5 months. We had help in terms of food from her side of the family when they could afford to help. Im not really close to my family so no help there.

After the 5 months my girlfriend moved home. I moved in with her for a bit but I needed a place to call my own or at least where I had a room to myself. I found shared accommodation with a bunch of other lads a bit older then myself but the rent was cheep, 35 euro a week and bills split 5 ways. Things have picked up sense and I am now also doing a PLC course and getting BTEA (Im 21 now).

My advice to your boyfriend would be this:

Find a cheep place that is shared with 4+ people. I know easier said then done but usually they are not the types of places advertised online. I found my place by going to citizens information. 2 of the other lads I am living with found it the same way.

Work is hard to find while not doing anything. Employers are more likely to employ someone doing a course or anything.
He should try a FÁS course and if he is still is without work next year apply for a PLC course as when your 21 and over and been on social welfare for 3 months you are entitled to full BTEA which our age is €164 (FÁS is roughly the same + an extra 20 on top of that if he has been on social welfare for 12 months straight).


I hope I have helped in someway. I know exactly how frustrating it is.
You'd be thinking to yourself "Why wont anyone employ me?! I am young and willing to do ANY work for minimum wage.."

The government say they are improving conditions in this country.. All I've seen them do is force internships and FÁS courses upon people who might have no interest in that area to lower their unemployment figures so they get a nice smiley face sticker on their reports to the EU..

oh and by the way, NEVER DO AN INTERNSHIP. Unless you know the company has employed previous interns. It was waste of young life. Basically been paid €3.75 an hour for 40 hours work a week and been told to **** off after if you expect to be kept on. Me along with a lot of other people I have know have fallen into that trap.

Thanks so much for your advice. He's currently in a house with 3 other adults and a child but the rent is high and bills are also not included in that. He has asked for FAS courses but has been told he has taken part in too many in a certain length of time and can't do anymore for 2 years.

Tasden

Bubbles(",) wrote: »

I can't move in as I work too far away from the house and don't drive, it would take either 2 entire route bus journeys or a bus & a dart which would also leave me a good 45 minute walk away from the office.

Thanks for your advice and thoughtfulness. It's just so hard to get by day to day for him.

Has he looked into asking St.VdP for some help with groceries etc just until he finds work or sorts something else out? I'm assuming he's buying bulk items that are cheap, pasta potatoes etc to keep costs down?

realdanbreen

realdanbreen wrote: »

Why can't he move back in with you?-problem solved.

?

killanena

Tasden wrote: »

As someone who basically paid to go to work as an intern/trainee role for a short period of time (the childcare cost more than the wage the company paid me so I ended up working two jobs to afford it), and knowing that they wouldn't be in a position to hire me permanently directly afterwards i cant say i agree with you there.

If you choose an internship in the area that you actually plan to work in then that is experience to put on your cv. Its experience in the field and it fills any gaps in your cv. Whether or not i agree with jobbridge or not I would never rule out something like that just because its not a high wage or that it wont lead directly to full time work. If its used wisely it can lead to much better jobs long term so its up to the person to weigh up the pros and cons of such schemes.

Yeah fair enough if the internship is actually in your preferred field of work but as I said most people get called in my social welfare officers and are basically threatened (Cut payments) into applying. But I did choose to do an internship when I was 19. Was with an ISP (Internet service provider) as a trainee installer role. I wont go into much detail but what I was basically doing was sitting in store room assembling wireless dishes and doing call support.. I stuck with it for the 9 months and did it to the best of my ability, never missed a day and never once late. I didn't get kept on.

I had qualifications in computer networking and security and is the area I hope to one day work in which I am working towards now through a PLC course and hopefully college after.

I guess I just had a bad experience as many else have but they is good internships out there and my last comment was probably just my frustration.

Bubbles(",)

Tasden wrote: »

Has he looked into asking St.VdP for some help with groceries etc just until he finds work or sorts something else out? I'm assuming he's buying bulk items that are cheap, pasta potatoes etc to keep costs down?

Another man living in the accommodation has been to the VDP for help and it's only for a few weeks. I'm not sure under what circumstances he was claiming for though. Pride gets in the way of my boyfriend even in tough times like this. I will get him to look into it though. He has been shopping in Aldi and literally buying the bare minimum.

Bubbles(",)

realdanbreen wrote: »

?

Because I'm living in my family home which is a small 3 bed council house, it's not practical to have another adult living here. It's not always as simple as just moving somebody in on top of a whole family.

killanena

Bubbles(",) wrote: »

Thanks so much for your advice. He's currently in a house with 3 other adults and a child but the rent is high and bills are also not included in that. He has asked for FAS courses but has been told he has taken part in too many in a certain length of time and can't do anymore for 2 years.

Sorry to hear that
It is hard for people under the age of 25 in this country that couldn't go straight to college after school.

The person that mentioned SVDP has a great point. I myself have had to go to them in the past of dire need and they really helped. Had Tesco deliver at least 80 euro worth of groceries and also gave us a few pre-paid cards for our electricity in the old apartment. I hope to return the help I got by volunteering for them next chance I get.

And if it wasn't for ALDI I would have starved a long time ago.

Bubbles(",)

killanena wrote: »

Sorry to hear that
It is hard for people under the age of 25 in this country that couldn't go straight to college after school.

The person that mentioned SVDP has a great point. I myself have had to go to them in the past of dire need and they really helped. Had Tesco deliver at least 80 euro worth of groceries and also gave us a few pre-paid cards for our electricity in the old apartment. I hope to return the help I got by volunteering for them next chance I get.

It's comforting to see someone has been there and come out the other side. Hopefully he can too. He just doesn't know where to start or even what day it is at the moment due to the stress. Thanks for all your kind words.

DanDublin1982

I'm not sure exactly how it works in regards to the age related stuff but my understanding is that this claim should link to his last claim so although there has been a break in the claim it is effectively a continuation of the previous claim. Its worth checking with the office at least whether or not that is the case as if it is then he may get the 144.

Tasden

DanDublin1982 wrote: »

I'm not sure exactly how it works in regards to the age related stuff but my understanding is that this claim should link to his last claim so although there has been a break in the claim it is effectively a continuation of the previous claim. Its worth checking with the office at least whether or not that is the case as if it is then he may get the 144.

Afaik if he was an adult dependent then its not the same as if it was his own claim being transferred. Its a new claim because its his in his own right, not him on her claim.

Bubbles(",)

Tasden wrote: »

Afaik if he was an adult dependent then its not the same as if it was his own claim being transferred. Its a new claim because its his in his own right, not him on her claim.

Yes, this was asked in the social welfare office and they explained it to him that it was a new claim even though he had been unemployed the whole time.

Tasden

Bubbles(",) wrote: »

Yes, this was asked in the social welfare office and they explained it to him that it was a new claim even though he had been unemployed the whole time.

Thought so. Its because the conditions for a qualified adult on someone else's claim are different to an independent claim of your own.

I'm assuming cwo cant help as primary entitlement is to age restricted jsa?

killanena

killanena wrote: »

I have been in a similar situation as your boyfriend. I was 20, girlfriend is 21. She is doing full-time education and getting paid BTEA for it,
I was working for a year but was let go because they couldn't afford the staff and sense I was the youngest and least experience person they choose me. I had just signed another 6 month lease in my apartment the month before. After I lost my job I signed on to job seekers and we struggled to get by for the remaining 5 months. We had help in terms of food from her side of the family when they could afford to help. Im not really close to my family so no help there.

After the 5 months my girlfriend moved home. I moved in with her for a bit but I needed a place to call my own or at least where I had a room to myself. I found shared accommodation with a bunch of other lads a bit older then myself but the rent was cheep, 35 euro a week and bills split 5 ways. Things have picked up sense and I am now also doing a PLC course and getting BTEA (Im 21 now).

My advice to your boyfriend would be this:

Find a cheep place that is shared with 4+ people. I know easier said then done but usually they are not the types of places advertised online. I found my place by going to citizens information. 2 of the other lads I am living with found it the same way.

Work is hard to find while not doing anything. Employers are more likely to employ someone doing a course or anything.
He should try a FÁS course and if he is still is without work next year apply for a PLC course as when your 21 and over and been on social welfare for 3 months you are entitled to full BTEA which our age is €164 (FÁS is roughly the same + an extra 20 on top of that if he has been on social welfare for 12 months straight).


I hope I have helped in someway. I know exactly how frustrating it is.
You'd be thinking to yourself "Why wont anyone employ me?! I am young and willing to do ANY work for minimum wage.."

The government say they are improving conditions in this country.. All I've seen them do is force internships and FÁS courses upon people who might have no interest in that area to lower their unemployment figures so they get a nice smiley face sticker on their reports to the EU..

oh and by the way, NEVER DO AN INTERNSHIP. Unless you know the company has employed previous interns. It was waste of young life. Basically been paid €3.75 an hour for 40 hours work a week and been told to **** off after if you expect to be kept on. Me along with a lot of other people I have know have fallen into that trap.

That is one of the most inspirational and uplifting posts I've read in a long, long time. Good on you. I hope life is good to you and that OP's boyfriend gets sorted soon.

Bubbles(",)

Tasden wrote: »

Thought so. Its because the conditions for a qualified adult on someone else's claim are different to an independent claim of your own.

I'm assuming cwo cant help as primary entitlement is to age restricted jsa?

Yeah the CWO can't help either because it's age. CWO couldn't even help while he was waiting on his claim to be opened. He waited 3 weeks for his claim and the CWO wouldn't give him a penny just in case he 'wasn't entitled to a payment'

Tasden

Bubbles(",) wrote: »

Yeah the CWO can't help either because it's age. CWO couldn't even help while he was waiting on his claim to be opened. He waited 3 weeks for his claim and the CWO wouldn't give him a penny just in case he 'wasn't entitled to a payment'

Yeah you have to have an existing entitlement to a primary payment to be awarded an interim swa payment.

Unfortunately all i can think of is charity for groceries

Bubbles(",)

Tasden wrote: »

Yeah you have to have an existing entitlement to a primary payment to be awarded an interim swa payment.

Unfortunately all i can think of is charity for groceries

Yeah I'm hoping he can turn to a charity, he's rather embarrassed to feel he has to ask for it, but it's the only way. Thanks for your kind words

Tasden

Bubbles(",) wrote: »

Yeah I'm hoping he can turn to a charity, he's rather embarrassed to feel he has to ask for it, but it's the only way. Thanks for your kind words

No shame in looking for help when all avenues are exhausted, its why they're there.
All the best.

realdanbreen

Bubbles(",) wrote: »

Because I'm living in my family home which is a small 3 bed council house, it's not practical to have another adult living here. It's not always as simple as just moving somebody in on top of a whole family.

I don't know what part of the country you live in but has he looked for work elsewhere in the country? There are more and more labouring jobs available in construction right now.

Bubbles(",)

realdanbreen wrote: »

I don't know what part of the country you live in but has he looked for work elsewhere in the country? There are more and more labouring jobs available in construction right now.

I'm not exaggerating when I say he has looked for work in all areas, he's had ample interviews for all different types of career, just a run of bad luck at the minute I suppose. He's determined though which is a positive to take from it all he's not willing to give up

MouseTail

If he is getting the interviews, it might be worthwhile asking to be referred to the local Jobs Club. Some of them are very good at interview preparation, and polishing up interview skills. Check out his eligibility for JobsPlus and use that as a selling point for employers.

Simply put, he cannot afford to live independently, and he may have to look at building bridges and moving home until he finds work.

Bubbles(",)

MouseTail wrote: »

If he is getting the interviews, it might be worthwhile asking to be referred to the local Jobs Club. Some of them are very good at interview preparation, and polishing up interview skills. Check out his eligibility for JobsPlus and use that as a selling point for employers.

Simply put, he cannot afford to live independently, and he may have to look at building bridges and moving home until he finds work.

Unfortunately we don't all live in an ideal world where going home is an option.