Social welfare has decided to deduct my payment by €60 a week. Should I appeal?

Kelleherqueen

As a 23 year old my parents incomes are taken into account for my claim. I already only received €100 a week on JA due to my age. I attended a inspector meeting last week where I handed over my parents incomes and mortgage payment. Got a letter this morning informing me I'll be cut to €40 a week because of their incomes. I'm disgusted and don't know how they're able to do this when 25+ year olds living with Mammy and Daddy don't get assessed on their incomes. The inspector even told me she doubts I would be deducted at the meeting! Well she was a long shot off when I'm being cut by €60. It said in the letter I could appeal if I wish in writing to my social welfare office. Is there any point? What will I even say? I doubt there's any resolve. Any anecdotal experiences of this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Shannon757

Probably the wrong forum

bisset

appeal

dinky earnshaw

Kelleherqueen wrote: »

As a 23 year old my parents incomes are taken into account for my claim. I already only received €100 a week on JA due to my age. I attended a inspector meeting last week where I handed over my parents incomes and mortgage payment. Got a letter this morning informing me I'll be cut to €40 a week because of their incomes. I'm disgusted and don't know how they're able to do this when 25+ year olds living with Mammy and Daddy don't get assessed on their incomes. The inspector even told me she doubts I would be deducted at the meeting! Well she was a long shot off when I'm being cut by €60. It said in the letter I could appeal if I wish in writing to my social welfare office. Is there any point? What will I even say? I doubt there's any resolve. Any anecdotal experiences of this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Is there some reason you cant work ?

childsplay

Bigus wrote:

Minimum wage would pay 360 a week surprisingly enough, but that might involve doing lots and lots of hours.

Not sure that's fair. We don't know what the OP's circumstances are.

Kelleherqueen

dinky earnshaw wrote: »

Is there some reason you cant work ?

Of course I can work. I'm on JOBSEEKERS allowance. I'm constantly applying and getting nowhere. Your comment is ill informed and ignorant.

NIMAN

Is there any point in appealing?

They will have rules in place, and your parents incomes and disposable monies have obviously affected how much they think you need to live at home with them.

You could appeal, but I'd say you're wasting your time.

Conall Cernach

Ask for a review as you've nothing to lose. They might have got their maths wrong, though it is unlikely. If they come back with the same answer then your only option will be to appeal the decision which will require you giving a reason why they are wrong. If you are only getting €40 then they must reckon that your parents have at least €776 per week after mortgage repayments. They also allow €30 per child under 18 (or over if they are in education).

You could try to get on a training scheme like Momentum that should net you a few quid more.

washman3

Somebody has to pay for the Garda pay increase...!!

Kelleherqueen

childsplay wrote: »

Not sure that's fair. We don't know what the OP's circumstances are.

I'm fully capable of work and am always implying. And I didn't post for insults! I don't need to prove my worth on an online forum. What they're doing is wrong and discrimination. You can pull the "get a job" card all you want.

Kelleherqueen

washman3 wrote: »

Somebody has to pay for the Garda pay increase...!!

Hmmm.

Kelleherqueen

Conall Cernach wrote: »

Ask for a review as you've nothing to lose. They might have got their maths wrong, though it is unlikely. If they come back with the same answer then your only option will be to appeal the decision which will require you giving a reason why they are wrong. If you are only getting €40 then they must reckon that your parents have at least €776 per week after mortgage repayments. They also allow €30 per child under 18 (or over if they are in education).

You could try to get on a training scheme like Momentum that should net you a few quid more.

Thanks for your help I don't think a course is any good to me. I already have a degree.

NIMAN

Kelleherqueen wrote: »

I'm fully capable of work and am always implying. And I didn't post for insults! I don't need to prove my worth on an online forum. What they're doing is wrong and discrimination. You can pull the "get a job" card all you want.

Are you sure its wrong?
Are you saying their maths is wrong or its morally wrong?

And I doubt they are discriminating against you personally, they have rules and calculations to follow, and I am sure there are plenty of other people your age and in your circumstances who are being treated the same, so its not technically discrimination.

eurokev

dinky earnshaw wrote:

Is there some reason you cant work ?

Ya I'm usually the first to argue this in threads of this sort, but if you took the time to look at the op's history, you will see it is full of questions about jobs, internships and education.

I personally don't have a problem with the welfare system helping genuine young people along, my irk is with the types that use the welfare system as a lifestyle choice.

Dropping someone's rate to €40 is a disgrace really, that makes it almost unaffordable to go looking for a job, especially unfair on someone like the op who's history shows that they have been so eager for work they were looking for a place to move in to do they could take up an internship

Kelleherqueen

NIMAN wrote: »

Are you sure its wrong?
Are you saying their maths is wrong or its morally wrong?

And I doubt they are discriminating against you personally, they have rules and calculations to follow, and I am sure there are plenty of other people your age and in your circumstances who are being treated the same, so its not technically discrimination.

The fact under 25 year olds get 100€ a week regardless of circumstances is called age discrimination. And I mean morally wrong.

andekwarhola

Kelleherqueen wrote: »

Of course I can work. I'm on JOBSEEKERS allowance. I'm constantly applying and getting nowhere. Your comment is ill informed and ignorant.

Note how this gets about a tenth of the thanks that the snap judgment one got.

Kelleherqueen

eurokev wrote: »

Ya I'm usually the first to argue this in threads of this sort, but if you took the time to look at the op's history, you will see it is full of questions about jobs, internships and education.

I personally don't have a problem with the welfare system helping genuine young people along, my irk is with the types that use the welfare system as a lifestyle choice.

Dropping someone's rate to €40 is a disgrace really, that makes it almost unaffordable to go looking for a job, especially unfair on someone like the op who's history shows that they have been so eager for work they were looking for a place to move in to do they could take up an internship

Thank you for sticking up for me! I've spent four years in college and 9 months on a crappy jobbridge scheme and both were pointless. I'm eager and determined to work. Cost of travel for job interviews can range 40/60€. They've just made it harder for me to go to interviews. I'm going to have to beg, borrow and steal. I don't get money off my parents, by the way. But the State has decided they give me 60€ a week. You know, because they don't have lives of their own.

Godge

Kelleherqueen wrote: »

The fact under 25 year olds get 100€ a week regardless of circumstances is called age discrimination. And I mean morally wrong.

I thought the objective justification test under equality legislation meant that the discrimination was perfectly fair and legal.

Morally, a 24-year old living at home with Mammy on €100 a week is far better off than a 26-year old with a family just having lost their job.

Mr McBoatface

Kelleherqueen wrote: »

I'm fully capable of work and am always implying. And I didn't post for insults! I don't need to prove my worth on an online forum. What they're doing is wrong and discrimination. You can pull the "get a job" card all you want.

If you're 12months or longer unemployed and having no joy finding a job you could contact Local Development Partnership in you county and see if you can self refer onto one of thier TUS placements, you're social welfare case officer can help you to do this too. Part time work helping a local charity or community group and you'll get €210.50 each week, 1 year contract.

Kelleherqueen

Godge wrote: »

I thought the objective justification test under equality legislation meant that the discrimination was perfectly fair and legal.

Morally, a 24-year old living at home with Mammy on €100 a week is far better off than a 26-year old with a family just having lost their job.

And if you are living independently as an under 25 year old, you still get 100€ a week. Regardless of if you're married with kids or not. And if you look up the definition of age discrimination, you will find this is exactly that.

dinky earnshaw

Kelleherqueen wrote: »

Of course I can work. I'm on JOBSEEKERS allowance. I'm constantly applying and getting nowhere. Your comment is ill informed and ignorant.

It was a question not a comment. Are you in Dublin ?

ancapailldorcha

Thread moved to State Benefits. Please read their charter before posting.

Kelleherqueen

dinky earnshaw wrote: »

It was a question not a comment. Are you in Dublin ?

Nope. Roscommon. In a town with more closed up shops than open ones and a poor as piss public transport service.

Kelleherqueen

Mr McBoatface wrote: »

If you're 12months or longer unemployed and having no joy finding a job you could contact Local Development Partnership in you county and see if you can self refer onto one of thier TUS placements, you're social welfare case officer can help you to do this too. Part time work helping a local charity or community group and you'll get €210.50 each week, 1 year contract.

I can't do Tus as I've already done Jobbridge.

Mr McBoatface

Kelleherqueen wrote: »

I can't do Tus as I've already done Jobbridge.

After 12 months you can.

You might be eligible for the jobplus employer incentive as things stand as time on jobs bridge is eligible as far as I know

Kelleherqueen

Mr McBoatface wrote: »

After 12 months you can.

You might be eligible for the jobplus employer incentive as things stand as time on jobs bridge is eligible as far as I know

I just finished my Jobbridge about 6 weeks ago. Thanks for your help but I don't intend waiting around on the dole another year

Kelleherqueen

Kelleherqueen wrote: »

I just finished my Jobbridge about 6 weeks ago. Thanks for your help but I don't intend waiting around on the dole another year

I'm eligible for job plus. I've contacted employers telling them this. But they still have to pay part themselves so they aren't really interested.

Reati

Kelleherqueen wrote: »

I'm fully capable of work and am always implying.

What did you study? Where are you applying for jobs? If you are applying as much as suggested here and not getting anywhere, you need to look at your methods. Something needs to be adjusted.

Kelleherqueen wrote: »

What they're doing is wrong and discrimination.

If it's applied equally, then no it's not. If it's just targeted at you personally because of your age or gender then it would be. Feel strongly about it? Bring it to the EU court of human rights.

January

Kelleherqueen wrote: »

And if you are living independently as an under 25 year old, you still get 100€ a week. Regardless of if you're married with kids or not. And if you look up the definition of age discrimination, you will find this is exactly that.

This is wrong, if you have child dependents you will receive the full adult payment as well as qualified child and adult increases.

Freddio

In my day if you moved out of the nest, you were treated as a normal Joe soap. Not sure if it's still the case

Dardania

The age element happened around 2010 I think - budgets needed to be trimmed

Pkiernan

Kelleherqueen wrote: »

The fact under 25 year olds get 100€ a week regardless of circumstances is called age discrimination. And I mean morally wrong.

Why do you think it's morally right for getting money to do nothing?

Reati

Pkiernan wrote: »

Why do you think it's morally right for getting money to do nothing?

Bit of a strawman there. We as a society are past letting people who lost/can't find a job starve or turn to crime for survival. The system is there to help those who need it and you'd be grateful of it if you needed it.

Social welfare as a concept is not a problem. It's the failure of the system we have that allows people to make it into a career that is.

The OP doesn't seem like one of these people. I'm sure if a job came in the morning, the OP would take it. Cheers for the valuable input though.

Killergreene

try a springboard course OP. Probably the wrong time of year for it but you can get a full Masters Level 9 paid for by the state and get to keep your dole if it's termed 'Part-Time'.

ainecaine

Lots of springboard courses have January intakes, I work in NCI, we are the largest provider of springboard courses. We have lots of free ICT skills courses available to graduates and people in employment. It's worth a look at to upskill, especially if you are finding it difficult to get a job. Some of the courses have placements so you leave with a level 9 qualification and experience, in a field that has jobs available all the time.

childsplay

Kelleherqueen wrote:

I'm fully capable of work and am always implying. And I didn't post for insults! I don't need to prove my worth on an online forum. What they're doing is wrong and discrimination. You can pull the "get a job" card all you want.

Wasn't insulting you; l disapprove of judging others and was asking other posters to dismount from their high horses and contribute to the conversation rather than kick a body who may be down.

njs030

What grounds would you appeal on? It's a series of calculations nothing to do with you personally.
You're living with your parents and while they don't hand you cash they do provide a roof over your head and according to the sw calculations they can afford to help you with food and bills.
It's not personal, there has to be a line somewhere because there simply isn't money to pay everyone the same amount regardless of circumstances. When you're working you'll be able to help your parents out some more.

Kelleherqueen

notjustsweet wrote: »

What grounds would you appeal on? It's a series of calculations nothing to do with you personally.
You're living with your parents and while they don't hand you cash they do provide a roof over your head and according to the sw calculations they can afford to help you with food and bills.
It's not personal, there has to be a line somewhere because there simply isn't money to pay everyone the same amount regardless of circumstances. When you're working you'll be able to help your parents out some more.

I understand. My problem is that there's people getting 188€ a week living with their parents unquestioned for being a few years older. It's simply unfair. Why should I pay the price and not them? It's not personal to me; it's personal to young people.

tfitzgerald

You should always appeal.

Kelleherqueen

January wrote: »

This is wrong, if you have child dependents you will receive the full adult payment as well as qualified child and adult increases.

I know a single parent my age who gets about 144€ a week.

Edups

Kelleherqueen wrote: »

I know a single parent my age who gets about 144€ a week.

Plus child benefit. You can't claim increase for adult or child as a lone parent. They should in fact apply for the latter payment.

Kristopherus

Kelleherqueen wrote: »

I know a single parent my age who gets about 144€ a week.

No doubt she's living the life of Reilly on that amount:D.

Edups

sugarman wrote: »

Do a Fas course, you will be entitled to €188 plus possible travel expenses.

FAS is dissolved. Courses for the sake of courses is stupid as well, imo. OP attend Turas Nua if you can. They can help with CVS etc

Also I fear your trouble in getting a job may be experience or lack thereof. You graduated college maybe you can use that as a route into employment?

Kelleherqueen

Edups wrote: »

FAS is dissolved. Courses for the sake of courses is stupid as well, imo. OP attend Turas Nua if you can. They can help with CVS etc

Also I fear your trouble in getting a job may be experience or lack thereof. You graduated college maybe you can use that as a route into employment?

Sadly my degree is in media production and employment opportunities are scarce. My degree seems to mean nothing. Most jobs in my field require a minimum of 2 years prior experience.

Kelleherqueen

Thanks for your help. I might consider down the line id I'm still unemployed.

sugarman wrote: »

Do a Fas course, you will be entitled to €188 plus possible travel expenses.

Theres plenty of useful courses to add to your degree on your CV that will make you more appealing to employers.

I done an Engineering degree myself, worked for a while after College and was then made redundant a few months down the line.

I inquired about courses and ended up doing 3 consecutive IT courses, whilst getting €200 a week and came out with 3 very good, recognized certs in I.T.

When I went job hunting they were all very impressed that I continued to upskill whilst job hunting / on welfare and ultimately led to getting back into employment.

I started an Engineering job initially, but I also look after elements of IT within the company because of that.

You've nothing to lose, only gain.

utmbuilder

You've learned a good lesson the state is scum. It's unfair the amount they are giving you very unfair. You do all you can to get a job, work twice as hard, do what it takes to make things fair and get employment.

This state has let a lot of people down, think of the poor people on the streets on this freezing night. You have to fight take and make what you want in this world.

endacl

Kelleherqueen wrote: »

The fact under 25 year olds get 100€ a week regardless of circumstances is called age discrimination. And I mean morally wrong.

Not really. It's a cut off point. It's crappy if you're on the wrong side of it, but it's not discrimination.

Edups

utmbuilder wrote: »

You've learned a good lesson the state is scum. It's unfair the amount they are giving you very unfair. You do all you can to get a job, work twice as hard, do what it takes to make things fair and get employment.

This state has let a lot of people down, think of the poor people on the streets on this freezing night. You have to fight take and make what you want in this world.

So pay more tax then they can afford to pay this gentlemen and the other serval couple hundered thousands of people under 25 who draw the dole. I'm sure you and everyone else doesn't mind.

I understand it's frustrating OP but it's not any kind of ageism. the fact is most people under 25 live at home if they're unemployed.

manofcavan

The Journal.ie had a story a couple years ago about a guy under 25 who couldn't get rent allowance I think and he had a solicitor wright a letter to them asking for the full amout of jobseekers allowance and back payment or he'd take them to court and he turned up to the post office one day and got the full amount and a few hundred extra.

Stealthfins

Now it's time to spread your wings move out get a cosy bedsit,claim rent allowance.
You'll get living alone allowance,fuel allowance,medical card amongst other allowances.

You can still visit your parents and stay with them,and also have Your Own space where you could share quality time with friends and a partner.

If the system fcks you over,fck the system......

Wanderer78

Jebus, where are we going with this? Best of luck op