Entitled to anything? Opinions/help!

leoking100

Hi,

So I'll cut to the chase. Basically I haven't a clue about benefits, signing on etc. I don't know how I've ended up in this situation to be honest. Apart from bring very indecisive and pretty uneducated on the whole dole thing.

Left school, didn't know what I wanted to do, started working for my uncle with a view to starting an apprenticeship, never materialized just basically doing laboring. Cash in hand. Had a falling out, left!

Started another job, still young and dumb to the world. Don't really know what way this guy was playing the system, paying me cash and then the rest in cheque form.
Thought I could better myself so got a different job. This time it was all above board.
So at the stage I'm 20 and thinking I should prob get a decent qualification. Applied for a course, got accepted. Turned out it wasn't for me. Left!

Started working with another family member, with the view of starting another course the following year, again cash in hand.

So, the following year I start college, everything hunky dory, complete my studies, go to the US on a graduate visa. So I come home, have the traveling bug, with the intention of going to Canada once I have enough money, So start working with above family member, again cash in hand.

Unfortunately, recently I got a serious injury, so no work thus no money and Canada dream out the window. I had a few bob saved so was living off that.
But now it looks as if I might need an operation, so work of any kind will not be happening for a while.

So I was looking my options and think it might be a good time to go back to study since I wont be able to do any type of work in the near future.

I looked into Springboard courses and found one I'm interested in but if anyone is familiar with this, you have to be signing on etc. to avail of the fees being paid.

Basically and apologies for the long post, but given my circumstances and past, will I be flat out rejected for any sort of benefit or am I opening a can of worms regarding my previous employers not paying tax for me.

I know it was a dumb thing to let happen, but when your basically living for the weekend and getting cash every week, its hard to see the bigger picture.

Thank you and sorry if its a confusing post!

Lux23

If you're not able to work due to injury then you can't claim the dole, however you may qualify for a disability payment. You can do this through your doctors.