Going over 2 week holiday entitlement on JSA

LegacyUser

My Mum is planning to spend xmas with relatives in the states, and I want to go with her. I'm on JSA right now and have been holding off on booking a flight while I don't yet know what my work situation will be at xmas, but I also don't want to leave it too late to book, so I might have to bite the bullet soon.

She's planning on going for 3 weeks, which would be the last 2 weeks of December, and the 1st week of January.

Since it's technically 2 weeks holidays I'm looking for this year, and one next, would I qualify? If not, what is the process with asking for more than 2 weeks? Do they allow you take it, and just not pay you any time taken beyond the 2nd week, while also reinstating your payments after you return?

Yenwod

From http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Jobseekers-Allowance.aspx#HolidaysAbroad

Holidays Abroad

(a) A person may receive JA for 2 weeks holidays in any calendar year. These holidays may be taken abroad. S/he is required to inform the Intreo Centre or Local/Branch Office 2 weeks in advance of his/her departure and to complete the form UP 30. All holiday payments should be made retrospectively, upon confirmation of the position when the person signs on again (on the next normal signing day after his/her return). If a person goes on holiday for longer than 2 weeks, s/he may be paid in respect of the first two weeks, but should be disqualified for any period abroad in excess of this.

Taking 3 weeks seems to be fine but you just won't get paid for the 3rd week. However "Calendar year" would imply that you could take two this year and one next year but I would think that would depend who you're dealing with...and could be rules around it being consecutively?

LegacyUser

Okay, well I'm still on Jobseekers. I went ahead and booked my ticket a couple of weeks ago. I just tried to fill in the holiday notice form online now and it won't let me submit for longer than 2 weeks

I'm going from the 21st Dec to 8th January, so technically it will be 10 days this calendar year, and 8 days next year. The system doesn't recognise this however.

Is my only option now to go in to the welfare office and ask at the information desk? I'm a little nervous they're going to give me a hard time over it.

mp22

yellowpebbles wrote: »

Okay, well I'm still on Jobseekers. I went ahead and booked my ticket a couple of weeks ago. I just tried to fill in the holiday notice form online now and it won't let me submit for longer than 2 weeks

I'm going from the 21st Dec to 8th January, so technically it will be 10 days this calendar year, and 8 days next year. The system doesn't recognise this however.

Is my only option now to go in to the welfare office and ask at the information desk? I'm a little nervous they're going to give me a hard time over it.

Yep call in,relax and ask them for guidance,that will get them on your side.

NinjaTruncs

Can you book two slots? One for the time this year and one for the time next year? Perhaps their system doesn't allow you to book more that 14 days off in one go.

myshirt

If it's not as simple as press button one, then press button two, the staff might struggle, so make sure you come prepared with your information.

Kankan14

yellowpebbles wrote: »

Okay, well I'm still on Jobseekers. I went ahead and booked my ticket a couple of weeks ago. I just tried to fill in the holiday notice form online now and it won't let me submit for longer than 2 weeks

I'm going from the 21st Dec to 8th January, so technically it will be 10 days this calendar year, and 8 days next year. The system doesn't recognise this however.

Is my only option now to go in to the welfare office and ask at the information desk? I'm a little nervous they're going to give me a hard time over it.

They will, in no shape or form give you a hard time over it. Your entitled to leave the country while you may not get paid for the first week of January,I wouldn't let that stop or deter me. Go in,it'll be fine.


Edit to say be sure to bring proof of your flight outgoing and return.