Currently on Jobseekers Benefit, offered temp summer job - what happens next?

TheKaiserChief

I've been unemployed for 6 months now, but finally just been offered a temporary contract for the duration of the summer starting next week.

But I've been told it's only until September, so right then I'll be back to being unemployed. I'm taking this position, but not sure where I stand after it.

Do I just inform Social Welfare now that I'm starting a job next week, work the contract, then sign back on for Jobseekers Benefit in September when the job finishes up?

Never been unemployed before so this is new to me. Thanks for you help.

sillysocks

Yes you sign off and sign back on when you finish work. I was in the exact situation last summer. When you sign off your jobseekers benefit effectively 'pauses' and whatever entitlement/number of weeks you had left out of the 9 months will restart in September when you sign back on. If your temporary contract is longer than 13 weeks, when your current jobseekers benefit runs out you can re-apply and may get another 9 months benefit.

TheKaiserChief

Thanks sillysocks, just what I was looking for.

So should I call into Social Welfare office this week and inform them that I'm starting a job temporarily?

Is there anything else I need to do regarding revenue or social welfare?

Divisadero

It is possible to sign off online but I would call in. You might have less hassle when you sign back on if you explain your situation face to face. I mean they might just put your claim on hold rather then treating you as a new claim when your contract is finished.

sillysocks

TheKaiserChief wrote: »

Thanks sillysocks, just what I was looking for.

So should I call into Social Welfare office this week and inform them that I'm starting a job temporarily?

Is there anything else I need to do regarding revenue or social welfare?

I just rang the social welfare office and they took my start date for the job over the phone. I think there's a time limit that determines whether tour claim is paused or you're signed off but they sorted that on the phone for me. I was only ringing to see what I needed to do about calling in and they said there was no need.

For Revenue if you have your new employers number you could ring and register with Revenue for tax with that employer to speed up your tax Certs etc.

Divisadero

All I can say is I signed off online for a ten week contract and when I signed back on I had to go through the whole procedure again and wait weeks for a welfare payment. The lady at the hatch said I should have signed off in person and they 'might' have been able to simply keep my claim on hold! I have to say she didn't sound too sure though. Perhaps they don't have a uniform policy on this but the above was my experience.

Up to you OP!

TheKaiserChief

Thanks all.

I think I'll just call into the Social Welfare office and talk to someone in person. At least that way if I can do whatever I need to do, and get a name of a person I deal with, I have proof for when I return again in September.

Right now I'm still unsure what date I'll be back in September, does that make a difference if I haven't have a confirmed finish date, but I have a confirmed start date?

Divisadero

I can't advise you on that Kaiser Chief. I suggest you just explain your situation to the Department of Social Protection when you call in.

sillysocks

I don't think that'll matter-although if you are within the time frame for pausing it it might. I didn't have to give a date my contract was finished, just had to go in the first day after my contract finished to start everything off again.