Advice needed? What benefits ?

Phil1969

Need some advice as totally lost, I am lucky not to have had to claim state benefits in the last 30 years so a bit clueless on what to do.

I currently work part time self employed and take care of our 3 kids (house husband), I do this because my health is not great now so finding employed work is not easy. My wife was working full time and until recently so we were getting by.

Since December 2017 my wife has been ill with meningitis, she was not entitled to company sick pay or illness benefit (we were told) as she had not worked 104 weeks. We have since applied for supplementary welfare allowance which we may not get or if we do it will only be short term. We are currently living on less than 1000 euros per month which basically covers rent and electricity.

As well as normal living costs for a family of 5 (my wife and I with our 3 kids), we have additional costs of fortnightly visits to the Mater hospital for check ups for my wife (from Wexford costing around 100 euros per month for bus fares), cost of prescriptions for my wife and myself (around 150 euros per month). We still have a hospital bill (800 euros) to pay for. So, I need to find a job and work through my own pain as my wife can definitely not work.

The Intreo office have told me that I should apply for jobseekers allowance but do I need to be fit for all work they offer me? I am sure I will be able to do some jobs but not sure what as can not sit or stand long periods (more than an hour). And, I read something about jobpath companies and ones seemingly to avoid, can you choose which jobpath companies to sign with? Which is the best jobpath company to help me find a suitable job?

Is there a specific person I need to talk too at the welfare office or maybe better to talk to citizens advice or maybe someone else? Any advice appreciated.

Thanks

splinter65

If you are working 19 hours per week or 38 per fortnight you can apply for FIS. Also apply for Medical Card. Go to your CIC to get help with these.
Don’t apply for JSA if your not fit for work.
Edit:
Sorry I’ve just seen your self employed so no FIS.

Phil1969

splinter65 wrote: »

If you are working 19 hours per week or 38 per fortnight you can apply for FIS. Also apply for Medical Card. Go to your CIC to get help with these.
Don’t apply for JSA if your not fit for work.
Edit:
Sorry I’ve just seen your self employed so no FIS.

Thanks. My wife was getting FIS when she was working but when she became sick they stopped it. And, now my wife is not working and I am part time self employed then we can not apply for medical card.

What does CIC stand for? thanks.

Squatter

Phil1969 wrote: »

What does CIC stand for? thanks.

Citizens Information Centre. It's in 28 Henrietta Street, Wexford or there's an outreach in New Ross on Mondays if that's nearer to you.

Phil1969

Squatter wrote: »

Citizens Information Centre. It's in 28 Henrietta Street, Wexford or there's an outreach in New Ross on Mondays if that's nearer to you.

Thanks.

lilblackdress

I have no recommendations regarding social welfare but please get your wife to contact social workers in the Mater. They can help point ye in the right direction and may be able to assist with costs of travel there etc.

Phil1969

lilblackdress wrote: »

I have no recommendations regarding social welfare but please get your wife to contact social workers in the Mater. They can help point ye in the right direction and may be able to assist with costs of travel there etc.

Thank you, I will them a try on next visit this week.

Phil1969

Thanks guys for the information, CIC officer has advised me what I should be doing. Appreciate the advice.