Self-employment to no employment

Shybride2016

Hi,

Hoping someone here can give me a straightforward answer.

I have been self-employed since 2012 and today is my last working day. I am registered as a sole trader and have been paying PRSI each year.

I was told to call into Social Welfare office to sign for PRSI credits but when I got there they said I had to apply for Jobseekers Allowance and if it was refused then I could sign on for PRSI credits.

I have no interest in applying for jobseekers as thankfully we have been planning for me to stop working and have savings to cover me until I find another job, hopefully in the next few months.

Is there another more simple way for me to sign for PRSI credits? Is there any point in me even signing for these?

Any help or advice much appreciated as my local office weren't very helpful either over the phone or in person.

Thank you.

mp22

Step one apply for JSA,it gets you on the system.Credits will count for a contributory pension when you get that far so they are well worth signing for.

eastbono

If you have been self employed you wont qualify for a credits claim.

Shybride2016

Thanks for the replies. I ended up contacting my local citizens advice centre who told me I wouldn't qualify for either JSA or signing for credits so it would be pointless for me to even apply.

As I am currently in receipt of child benefit I'm automatically on the homemakers scheme which means any gaps in my PRSI record are protected for pension purposes.

Why couldn't the social welfare have told me all this in the first place?! They really don't make it simple.

Anyway, I got sorted so mods can close this thread please.

Thanks again for the responses, the replies were very much appreciated.