Jobseekers and Maternity Pay

Lumina

NOTE: We will be going to CitizensAdvice in time to discuss but wish to be prepared.

Hi all. Posting this in hope that someone has been through this or knows if the solution is sound.

My OH is on JSA whilst working 1 to 2 days per week in a relief position.
She has paid PRSI or UK completely through past 6 years until 2017 when had to go on JSA.

She is planning on becoming a stay-at-home mammy come summer and not to return to work until child goes to school in several years so would no longer be worth staying on JSA.

The websites I've looked at from government state that she cannot be on JSA and maternity benefit together which is fine but she meets the conditions for the better paid/longer duration maternity benefit (http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/3903_How-do-I-qualify.aspx ).


Has anyone who has been on JSA with part-time work managed to get maternity pay and then not continue work (of course stopping JSA)?

infogiver

Lumina wrote: »

NOTE: We will be going to CitizensAdvice in time to discuss but wish to be prepared.

Hi all. Posting this in hope that someone has been through this or knows if the solution is sound.

My OH is on JSA whilst working 1 to 2 days per week in a relief position.
She has paid PRSI or UK completely through past 6 years until 2017 when had to go on JSA.

She is planning on becoming a stay-at-home mammy come summer and not to return to work until child goes to school in several years so would no longer be worth staying on JSA.

The websites I've looked at from government state that she cannot be on JSA and maternity benefit together which is fine but she meets the conditions for the better paid/longer duration maternity benefit (http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/3903_How-do-I-qualify.aspx ).


Has anyone who has been on JSA with part-time work managed to get maternity pay and then not continue work (of course stopping JSA)?

To get maternity benefit she needs to be in paid employment in the 25 th week of her pregnancy and a PRSI contribution being paid on her behalf.
It doesn't matter wether she's part time or full time. If she meets the PRSI requirements she is entitled.
I think your worrying that she can't claim maternity benefit if she's not returning to work?
Absolutely she can, that's no problem whatsoever.
From an employment rights point of view she is accruing annual leave and public holiday entitlement all the time when she is on maternity leave, including the period spent on unpaid leave (up to 16 weeks).
So what she should do is, 4 weeks before her 26 weeks leave ends write her employer and inform him/her that they will be taking 16 weeks at their own expense.
Then 4 weeks before the 16 weeks has ended write again proffering her notice.
The employer can then issue her with her P45 and pay for the holidays/public holidays accrued over 42 weeks.
Remember also that the period your wife spends at home looking after children until the youngest is 12 will be credited to her come pension age (under current legislation).
If you want further confirmation of her annual leave/public holidays entitlement ring 1890808090 on Monday (Employment Rights). Ignore instructions to "press 1 press2 etc. stay on the phone till you speak to someone

Lumina

infogiver wrote: »

To get maternity benefit she needs to be in paid employment in the 25 th week of her pregnancy and a PRSI contribution being paid on her behalf.
It doesn't matter wether she's part time or full time. If she meets the PRSI requirements she is entitled.
I think your worrying that she can't claim maternity benefit if she's not returning to work?
Absolutely she can, that's no problem whatsoever.
From an employment rights point of view she is accruing annual leave and public holiday entitlement all the time when she is on maternity leave, including the period spent on unpaid leave (up to 16 weeks).
So what she should do is, 4 weeks before her 26 weeks leave ends write her employer and inform him/her that they will be taking 16 weeks at their own expense.
Then 4 weeks before the 16 weeks has ended write again proffering her notice.
The employer can then issue her with her P45 and pay for the holidays/public holidays accrued over 42 weeks.
Remember also that the period your wife spends at home looking after children until the youngest is 12 will be credited to her come pension age (under current legislation).
If you want further confirmation of her annual leave/public holidays entitlement ring 1890808090 on Monday (Employment Rights). Ignore instructions to "press 1 press2 etc. stay on the phone till you speak to someone

You seem very knowledgeable. I suppose i want to make sure she doesn't end up on the JSA while with newborn which seems to be just 8 weeks since she has/will meet all other maternity pay conditions.

Thank you for your response.

infogiver

Lumina wrote: »

You seem very knowledgeable. I suppose i want to make sure she doesn't end up on the JSA while with newborn which seems to be just 8 weeks since she has/will meet all other maternity pay conditions.

Thank you for your response.

You can ring maternity benefit 1890 690690 if you like anytime they are very helpful.
Have you wife's PPSN handy.
They won't be able to answer any employment rights queries but are happy to tell you about benefit entitlement.