Question referring a JSA allowance.

AnimalRights

I just finished a CE course (Community Employment) and applied for dole and was told because I earned so little I'd be better off applying JSA so I said ok.

Everything seemed to go fine and I supplied what I thought was all the relevant forms and I was told I'd get a letter in 7-10 days to see if I was qualified etc

Well I got a phone call at 4.15pm saying I'd need my partner (of 18 months) Bank statements and wage slips.

What I remember was years ago there was a threashold over 20,000 is bad but my question is does that threshold of 20,000 (if it still is that) rise for two people and if so what is it?

It does seem that if you are honest in this country you are penalised.

Thanks for all replies.

Gatling

It's a means tested payment hence why they asked for your partners information

AnimalRights

Yes but is there a threshold?

I know my mate years ago was told it was 20k and if higher you'd get no dole!

NinetyTwoTeam

Yeah the way they have it set up is ridiculous, if you're living with a partner, even if you're not married, presumably mostly to split bills, they expect that the working partner will support the non-working one solely off the one wage!

In many cases the couple would be better off having both persons unemployed when you consider the rent and fuel allowance they would qualify for, and any commute costs for the working person. It's unfair on both the working person who must shoulder all the financial pressure, and the non-working person who has no money of their own.

AnimalRights

AnimalRights wrote: »

Yes but is there a threshold?

I know my mate years ago was told it was 20k and if higher you'd get no dole!

You’ll find all you need here. http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/irish_social_welfare_system/means_test_for_social_welfare_payments/means_test_for_jobseekers_allowance.html

NinetyTwoTeam

AnimalRights wrote: »

Yes but is there a threshold?

I know my mate years ago was told it was 20k and if higher you'd get no dole!

There is but they keep it a mystery, a very average wage seems to be enough for them to reduce it substantially or totally. If so, ask again about the JSB there may be some payment there that they can't reduce.

Otherwise check out if there are FAS courses you can do that way you still get paid the dole while you are stuck unemployed.

njs030

AnimalRights wrote: »

Yes but is there a threshold?

I know my mate years ago was told it was 20k and if higher you'd get no dole!

I don't know about years ago but if you have savings of €20,000 and above the amount you get is reduced as you're expected to live off those savings rather than sit on them.

Balagan

If you and your partner beginning to cohabit happened while you were on the CE Scheme there would also have been this requirement:

In order to avoid any possible overpayments, if there is any change in your circumstances, you should immediately inform your CE supervisor and the local DSP Community Development Officer responsible for your CE scheme. (Your CE supervisor will give you contact details for the local DSP Community Development Officer.) There is more information about change of circumstances in section 3.2.6 of the Community Employment Procedures Manual. http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/unemployment_and_redundancy/employment_support_schemes/community_employment_scheme.html

njs030

Balagan wrote: »

If you and your partner beginning to cohabit happened while you were on the CE Scheme there would also have been this requirement:

In order to avoid any possible overpayments, if there is any change in your circumstances, you should immediately inform your CE supervisor and the local DSP Community Development Officer responsible for your CE scheme. (Your CE supervisor will give you contact details for the local DSP Community Development Officer.) There is more information about change of circumstances in section 3.2.6 of the Community Employment Procedures Manual. http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/unemployment_and_redundancy/employment_support_schemes/community_employment_scheme.html

Good point!
How is this only an issue now op? Have you just moved in together?

AnimalRights

We moved in March 2016, I started CE scheme October 2014

AnimalRights

and it's just an issue now because I only claimed today?
Anyway we decided to be upfront and tell the truth so whatever I get I get
I';; come back to this thread with the results though

njs030

AnimalRights wrote: »

We moved in March 2016, I started CE scheme October 2014

Did you notify the dept that you moved in together? If not you've been overpayed and will need to pay it back.

AnimalRights

I didn't. I had no idea naturally,

AnimalRights

I assumed when you started a CE scheme it was classed as work, I was also told I could've worked even outside of the CE scheme hours and not be penalized.

AnimalRights

We didn't start proper co-habitating until July this year though, I moved in March 2014 as she was a work mate...

Wow such a headache now ..

AnimalRights

AnimalRights wrote: »

I assumed when you started a CE scheme it was classed as work, I was also told I could've worked even outside of the CE scheme hours and not be penalized.

This is the relevant paragraph re change of circumstances

"From March 2017, if the actual social welfare payment (including dependants) you were getting was €193 a week or less, then you will get the minimum CE weekly rate of €215.50 (that is €193 plus €22.50). If your actual weekly social welfare payment (including dependants) was €193.01 or more, then you will get the equivalent rate plus €22.50.

Additional income: If you have any additional income, for example, from part-time work, it will not affect your CE payment. However, the rules on change of circumstances that apply to your original social welfare payment also apply to your CE payment. For example, if your qualified adult gets a job, their income will be assessed as means and your CE payment may be reduced. Your CE payment cannot be reduced below the minimum rate of €215.50.

In order to avoid any possible overpayments, if there is any change in your circumstances, you should immediately inform your CE supervisor and the local DSP Community Development Officer responsible for your CE scheme. (Your CE supervisor will give you contact details for the local DSP Community Development Officer.) There is more information about change of circumstances in section 3.2.6 of the Community Employment Procedures Manual."

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/unemployment_and_redundancy/employment_support_schemes/community_employment_scheme.html

AnimalRights

Maryanne you're a life saver, I only ever did get 215.50 and that clearly states I'm ok.

Gatling

AnimalRights wrote: »

Maryanne you're a life saver, I only ever did get 215.50 and that clearly states I'm ok.

But that's for a qualified adult already on your payment , which going by your earlier posts they were not on your claim before the CE scheme.

And your claim can be reduced I had mine cut to €174 previously.

Is your partner working -

njs030

AnimalRights wrote: »

Maryanne you're a life saver, I only ever did get 215.50 and that clearly states I'm ok.

It doesn't state you're ok, it states you must tell the department if your circumstances change which you didn't do.
You might be OK in that you won't owe them any back payment but by not telling them about your change in circumstances you could have your payment put on hold while they investigate.

It would have been on forms you signed as well.

njs030

Gatling wrote: »

But that's for a qualified adult already on your payment , which going by your earlier posts they were not on your claim before the CE scheme.

And your claim can be reduced I had mine cut to €174 previously.

Is your partner working -

It seems the partner is both working and from the first post in the thread has quite a large amount of savings which would affect the amount the op should have been paid afaik?