Going from JSA to DA. Pretty confused!

IrishTeddi

Hey,

I've been on the JSA for about 9 months now, and I'm now in a position where my mental health is now rendering it too tough to work.

If I were to apply for DA tomorrow, how does it effect my current payouts regarding the JSA? For example, I'm due to pick up my dole tomorrow, then what happens after that once the application for the DA goes through?

Is the JSA just stopped until the DA goes through?

Nomis21

It can take up to a year to receive your first money from DA as it takes months to get a decision and likely it will be a refusal which you have to appeal. You will need medical evidence from your GP and a mental health consultant.

You can apply for Supplementary welfare while you are waiting for your decision or you can stay on JSA.

If you apply for DA you are not subject to work activation until you receive a decision.

Prepare yourself for a few hoops to jump through and a long drawn out waiting game.

eastbono

While waiting on a DA decision you continue to receive you JSA payment. There is no need to apply for supplementary welfare allowance.

jmcgill16

Nomis21 wrote: »

If you apply for DA you are not subject to work activation until you receive a decision.

Is this definitely the case? My sister was claiming JSA, and had applied for DA, but was referred to JobPath. When she informed JobPath that she had applied for DA they told her that didn't matter, and she was still obliged to engage with them until she got accepted for DA.

Nomis21

I can only go by my experience. Jobpath companies will try it on, I'm sure.

I complained to my intreo office that I was not well and they gave me an application for DA and I filled it in at the jobpath office and they scanned it into their system. Much to my amazement I was later accepted for DA. It wasn't even in my head to apply for it till intreo suggested it.

Whiplashy

jmcgill16 wrote: »

Nomis21 wrote: »

If you apply for DA you are not subject to work activation until you receive a decision.

Is this definitely the case? My sister was claiming JSA, and had applied for DA, but was referred to JobPath. When she informed JobPath that she had applied for DA they told her that didn't matter, and she was still obliged to engage with them until she got accepted for DA.

JobPath are not reasonable. I'm waiting for illness benefit. I've made contact with them. I've sent them doctors certs. They're still adamant I have to engage. I threw there last letter in the bin. Got a text today saying I missed a meeting with them and to call asap. I'm sure they will contact DSP to get my money cut soon. There's just no getting through to them!

jmcgill16

Yeah, my thought process was exactly that - that JobPath would probably just tell someone anything to get them in the door, even if it was wrong.

I'd love to know definitively whether or not people who've applied for DA are in-eligible though. If someone is mentally fragile (ie as a lot of people applying for DA would be) I can't imagine JobPath's forceful methods will do them any good.

marguerite2000

jmcgill16 wrote: »

Yeah, my thought process was exactly that - that JobPath would probably just tell someone anything to get them in the door, even if it was wrong.

I'd love to know definitively whether or not people who've applied for DA are in-eligible though. If someone is mentally fragile (ie as a lot of people applying for DA would be) I can't imagine JobPath's forceful methods will do them any good.

2 people i know who were on jobpath,when the applied for DA 1 continued to attend jobpath till decision was made but with no pressure,the other as soon as it was up in the systym they were told to not attend till a decision was made ,so id say depends on who you are assigned too,and where you are.

Nomis21

I went in there with guns at full blast making it quite clear that I was not capable of using public transport and the round trip taxi fare was 80 Euro that they would have to pay the driver on my arrival and I was too sick to use the computers in any case

All backed up with Doctor and hospital letters.

Plus the fact that I was 61 years of age, might have given them the idea that they were better off without me.

jmcgill16

The above make it sound like its entirely down to randomess associated with whichever JobPath office you get assigned, which is probably not a great system. Surely the department should set out a firm guideline on whether people who've applied for D.A. are obliged to engage or not.

eastbono

jmcgill16 wrote: »

The above make it sound like its entirely down to randomess associated with whichever JobPath office you get assigned, which is probably not a great system. Surely the department should set out a firm guideline on whether people who've applied for D.A. are obliged to engage or not.

There are guidelines. While someone who has been referred for jobpath is waiting on a decision on their DA application they do not have to engage with jobpath. If they have to appeal DA after being turned down then they do have to engage.