Awkward social welfare application

jenn1984

Hi All,

I have been on a 3 day week for the same employer claiming jobseekers allowance for the past 2 years- I recently had a workplace accident and had to discontinue jobseekers allowance and move to injury benefit for 2 months. I reapplied for jobseekers allowance 5 weeks ago and although my local social welfare office say that I qualify and have promised to try and have my money to me by next week, they keep bringing up the fact that I have been on a 3 day week for so long. I explained that I am continually pushing for the extra days and that I will up the ante the next few months, but I can't guarantee more work. They are suggesting I visit the local employment office to talk about courses, other jobs (I like my current one), etc. I have a degree, I have a masters, I have been on a CE Scheme, I have been on Jobbridge- I have done FAS courses. What more can I do? Is there any chance of them cutting me off?

Thanks,
Jennifer

INOU: Robbert

Hi Jenn1984,

You could have a problem here....

As a jobseeker on JA you are required to look for full time employment. If full time employment is not available then accepting part-time employment is seen as a reasonable step in seeking employment.

The sticky situation arises where it could appear that you are choosing to remain in part-time employment, in preference to seeking full time employment - note I said could appear.

If you have provided the department with sufficient evidence of your efforts to seek full-time employment and you are stating that you are willing to give up the part-time job for a full-time one, you should be considered a full-time jobseeker and remain on you JA payment.... however.

As a jobseeker you are obliged to follow the instructions of an officer of the department where they are of the opinion that suitable and appropriate training, education or work experience would enhance your capacity to seek and secure full-time employment. They may seek to suggest that given that you have been part-time employed for 2 years, that this has not lead to full-time work - that this does not look like a full-time employment opportunity - unless you have a concrete offer from the employer. In short, what you have been doing has not worked... and you need to look at other options. That could be their position.

If they form the opinion that you are choosing to remain part-time employed/part-time unemployed as a choice, by virtue of the fact that you are not willing to try anything else, they do have the power to reduce or suspend payment.

If this happens you can appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals office, I would suggest that you seek help in doing this, and such appeal could take up to and including 6 months or more. However, it could be worth it for you.

You may recieve some Supplementary Welfare Allowance from Social Welfare during the course of the appeal, subject to your means from employment, this would all need to be worked out in advance of making any appeal decision.

You need to consider your short-term and long-term options and goals. Perhaps something on offer might suit, if not you could reasonably argue that being forced to leave a job to take another 'non-employment' option could be counterproductive to your employment prospects.

Hope you find this useful.

Regards,