Social Welfare Entitlements

TippCashel

Hi all

My contract in my previous job finished up on 8th Feb - I am starting a new job on 20th March with a different company.

Might be a stupid question but am I entitled to get social welfare for the time in between? Was thinking of going in on Monday to the welfare office. It’ll be the first time I’m ‘unemployed’ since finishing Uni so not sure what way it works. What should I be bringing into the office. I’m only on my phone so can’t really navigate their website very well!

I rent a room in a house in a different county to home where my parents are, so I should I go to the office in my home town or where I’m renting?

Thank you

Pronto63

Go to the local office based on where you live not your parents.

Bring P45, or letter from previous employer, photo ID (passport or driving licence, some proof of address (ESB bill or copy of lease).

If you're unemployed then you should be entitled to something and every little helps!

Also for a brand new claim you are not paid for the first 3 days so you won't get rich :-)

TippCashel

Thank you very much sir!

Hardly a chance it would be backdated to the date I finished? (Or 3 days thereafter).

How long does it take for the first payment after acceptance etc?

Thanks a mill - I’m genuinely doing this without any clue. I should’ve sorted it earleie

wifey28

You wont be backdated to yourlast dayof work, your claim starts from the moment you walk into the dole office. Way they look at it is its not their fault you didnt go sooner.
The delay on payment depends on when they give you an appointment for. Could be tomorrow could be 2 weeks. For hubby I think it was almost 3 weeks till he got paid

raxy

Job seekers benefit can be backdated up to 6 months provided you can prove you qualified for the benefit for the period your looking for and you have a valid reason for the delay in applying.

Pronto63

TippCashel wrote: »

Thank you very much sir!

Hardly a chance it would be backdated to the date I finished? (Or 3 days thereafter).

How long does it take for the first payment after acceptance etc?

Thanks a mill - I’m genuinely doing this without any clue. I should’ve sorted it earleie

It's really at the discretion of the Deciding Officer. There is a section towards the end of the form asking if you wish to be backdated. Answer yes and explain that you didn't realise that you had an entitlement as you have a job lined up.

Most DO's are human will backdate you.

Pronto63

wifey28 wrote: »

The delay on payment depends on when they give you an appointment for. Could be tomorrow could be 2 weeks. For hubby I think it was almost 3 weeks till he got paid

Was he paid for the 3 weeks?

If you are unemployed and present to the office and they can't see you for 3 weeks they should at the very least backdate you to the day you walked in. It's not your fault that the office is busy.

TippCashel

raxy wrote: »

Job seekers benefit can be backdated up to 6 months provided you can prove you qualified for the benefit for the period your looking for and you have a valid reason for the delay in applying.

Thanks v much. That clears it up (assuming the above poster saying it's not backdated is incorrect).

Should I be telling them I have a new job sorted and know the start date?

amtc

Yes it can be backdated. Apply from your current address. Under no circumstances mention the new job as you have to be looking for work.

beechwood55

amtc wrote: »

Yes it can be backdated. Apply from your current address. Under no circumstances mention the new job as you have to be looking for work.

So you are advocating that the op commits SW fraud then?

Nomis21

As long as the the op is looking for work until he starts his new job, the fact that he has a job starting next month is not relevant. The job in March may fall through. As long as he signs off when he starts a new job then he is not commiting fraud.

splinter65

beechwood55 wrote: »

So you are advocating that the op commits SW fraud then?

That’s not fraud. The poster may have a job lined up but technically he can be still looking for work.