FIS if spouse gets JSA?

evais

My husband is unemployed and receiving jsa which includes a qualified adult payment for myself and child increase for two children. I work part time and don't earn a lot. However I will be starting a new job next week working 30 hours a week and earning €475 per week. I am really confused by the different calculations for jsa and fis. Basically, I am wondering can I claim fits while my husband claims jsa or will he have to sign off and then I claim fis only?

Conall Cernach

evais wrote: »

My husband is unemployed and receiving jsa which includes a qualified adult payment for myself and child increase for two children. I work part time and don't earn a lot. However I will be starting a new job next week working 30 hours a week and earning €475 per week. I am really confused by the different calculations for jsa and fis. Basically, I am wondering can I claim fits while my husband claims jsa or will he have to sign off and then I claim fis only?

For 2 children the family income limit is €612 per week. If you're getting 475 and your husband gets 198 without increases for you and the children then it looks like you'd be way above the FIS limit. But his JSA will be means tested because of your new income and I reckon he'll only be entitled to a payment of around 131 max so you'd be ever so slightly under the FIS limit so you'd get €20 as a FIS payment and your total family income would be 626 or so. If he signed off altogether then your FIS payment would be easier to calculate as 82.20 per week. Your total family income in that case would only be 557.20 so he'd be mad to sign off.

evais

Thanks so much for taking the time to do those calculations. That has made it a lot clearer.

splinter65

€88.20 FIS if your hubby gives up his JSA (based on your €475 being after tax? FIS is more or less calculated on your take home pay).
The good news is if he does give up his JSA you are just in time to qualify for the Back to Work Family Dividend which means you will continue to get the €29.80 (soon to be €31.80) for each child for a year and 1/2 that for second year.
Don’t forget you will continue to get both those payments at that rate even if you earn more or hubby gets a job.

evais

splinter65 wrote: »

€88.20 FIS if your hubby gives up his JSA (based on your €475 being after tax? FIS is more or less calculated on your take home pay).
The good news is if he does give up his JSA you are just in time to qualify for the Back to Work Family Dividend which means you will continue to get the €29.80 (soon to be €31.80) for each child for a year and 1/2 that for second year.
Don’t forget you will continue to get both those payments at that rate even if you earn more or hubby gets a job.

Am I wrong in thinking that the back to work family dividend is only payable if my hubby finds work or are we eligible if he just signs off jsa?

splinter65

evais wrote: »

Am I wrong in thinking that the back to work family dividend is only payable if my hubby finds work or are we eligible if he just signs off jsa?

No all he has to do is sign off completely. You have found the job.
The BTWFD is not included in the men’s test for the FIS.
He is applying for the BTWFD though, not you.

evais

splinter65 wrote: »

No all he has to do is sign off completely. You have found the job.
The BTWFD is not included in the men’s test for the FIS.
He is applying for the BTWFD though, not you.

I have been employed part time all along, working 12 hours per week. This is just starting a new job with more hours and pay. Would we still qualify? Sorry for all the questions!

splinter65

evais wrote: »

I have been employed part time all along, working 12 hours per week. This is just starting a new job with more hours and pay. Would we still qualify? Sorry for all the questions!

Ah that’s ok it’s no bother! Yes you’ll still qualify as the most important thing is that he and you both are completely signed off Jobseekers so yere off the live register.

evais

splinter65 wrote: »

Ah that’s ok it’s no bother! Yes you’ll still qualify as the most important thing is that he and you both are completely signed off Jobseekers so yere off the live register.

Thanks for your help!