Welfare for out of work shop owner

tw0nk

Hi All,

Is there any welfare available for a self employed shop owner? Person was working for over 20 years and created lots of jobs over those years and now shop and job is gone, due to the age of the person and location its very hard to find work. Is there welfare available? What are their options?

any help/advice greatly appreciated, thanks.

syklops

As far as I know, no, there isnt. My parents have been in a similar position. Self-employed, no money coming in and no support.

In this country, the government sees the self employed as well off, whatever their circumstances.

jackrernest

surely you could claim welfare. no harm in trying. you have to have some source of incom

tw0nk

I have been looking at the citizens information website but cannot find anything specific, I fear there is no option for self employed people.

xabi

They wont get Job-seekers Benefit, but they might get Job-seekers Allowance, which is means tested.

syklops

jackrernest wrote: »

id say you can. better make a trip into the social welfare office and talk to them in person. its better than talking over the phone. you have to have some source of income. although if you have money in the bank you may not get it

They are much less generous now than they used to be. My fiancee was basically told to go back to Poland. Completely ignoring the 7 years of PRSI she had contributed.

Mrs OBumble

jackrernest wrote: »

they should definitely get the JSA

Only if they don't have assets. It's means-tested not just income tested.

endacl

syklops wrote: »

They are much less generous now than they used to be. My fiancee was basically told to go back to Poland. Completely ignoring the 7 years of PRSI she had contributed.

Feck. That's seven years more than many who'll spend a lifetime on the gimme.

tw0nk

they have a house and car but no other assets (nothing in bank, credit union etc) I must google JSA now and see what is required, thanks for help

xabi

jackrernest wrote: »

they should definitely get the JSA

wouldn't bank on it, depends on their circumstances, property, Savings, etc...

Lacey2

Hi, individuals who have been self employed can be entitled to Jobseeker payments depending on their circumstances. Citizensinformation.ie is a great website and you will find a lot of answers to your questions there.

Before going to the Department of Social Protection it is worth a trip to your local Citizens Information Centre. They are very helpful. If they can't answer any of your questions they will contact the DSP on your behalf. If you are not familiar with the welfare system then sometimes it can be less daunting to go to Citizens Information first.

Best of Luck!

tw0nk

thanks Lacey

Lisa2011

I spoke to one person who was self employed for a long time and he gets nothing from welfare.they seem to think self employed people can start again.

BabySlam

Lisa2011 wrote: »

I spoke to one person who was self employed for a long time and he gets nothing from welfare.they seem to think self employed people can start again.

If they meet the criteria "means test" they will get an allowance. Details of the means test are on the department and citizens info websites.

Lisa2011

BabySlam wrote: »

If they meet the criteria "means test" they will get an allowance. Details of the means test are on the department and citizens info websites.

Well then only happens if your spouse does not exceed a certain Income limit which the wife if this man does.So he gets nothing.

Mrs OBumble

Lisa2011 wrote: »

Well then only happens if your spouse does not exceed a certain Income limit which the wife if this man does.So he gets nothing.

Indeed. That's what means test means.

The fact that he was self-employed is irrelevant. Exactly the same means test applies to people who were employees.

For the first nine months, the formerly-employed person is usually (not always) entitled to Jobseekers Benefit. But even then, this can be available formerly self-employed people, if they chose to pay Class A PRSI while self employed (most don't).

boardsuser1

endacl wrote: »

Feck. That's seven years more than many who'll spend a lifetime on the gimme.

it's this lot they should be targeting not the ordinary decent worker who actually contributes to the spongers :mad:

Geuze

tw0nk wrote: »

Hi All,

Is there any welfare available for a self employed shop owner? Person was working for over 20 years and created lots of jobs over those years and now shop and job is gone, due to the age of the person and location its very hard to find work. Is there welfare available? What are their options?

any help/advice greatly appreciated, thanks.

Unemployed people who were formerly self-employed are entitled to apply for JSA "dole", the same as anybody else.

The media keep saying that self-employed people can't get unemployment payments, but of course they are wrong.

What self-employed workers can't get is JSB, as they haven't paid enough PRSI.

Workers pay 4% + 10.75% = 14.75% PRSI.

Self-employed pay 4%.

Geuze

Lisa2011 wrote: »

I spoke to one person who was self employed for a long time and he gets nothing from welfare.they seem to think self employed people can start again.

That's because they didn't pass the JSA means-test.

This is not unique to self-employed people.