Question About Terminating Job Seeker's Allowance and Re-applying at a Later Date

LegacyUser

Hi, I have a question about Job Seeker's Allowance and how it is treated if you terminate it for a period but intend to reapply for it in the near future.

Basically I've been out of work for a few months and have found it a little harder to find another position than I had first envisaged. I'm now looking at alternative options in terms of the types roles to apply for, i.e. slightly side-stepping from my previous role but positions where my skills and experience would still have relevance. The reason for this thread though is that I'm thinking on using some of my savings to go back-packing for 6-8 weeks while I try to clear my head and reevaluate things but this would involve terminating (or only suspending if possible?) my Job Seeker's Allowance and I'm wondering how I would then be treated as a candidate if I were to reapply for the benefit when I'd return?

I want to be clear that I have no intention of trying to collect JSA while simultaneously be travelling and hence not searching for work but would I be eligible to receive any benefit if I were to reapply upon returning home or would I no longer then have the required no. of stamps and be entitled to nothing?

Or is there simply a way of suspending your JSA benefit and not be treated as a new applicant?

Many thanks to anyone with any insight.

TL;DR: Currently on JSA but haven't been able to find a job again as quickly as I'd hoped. Thinking about travelling for 6-8 weeks while I have the natural career break. Would I be eligible for JSA when I'd or return?

Squatter

JobSeekersQuestions wrote: »

Hi, I have a question about Job Seeker's Allowance and how it is treated if you terminate it for a period but intend to reapply for it in the near future.

Basically I've been out of work for a few months and have found it a little harder to find another position than I had first envisaged. I'm now looking at alternative options in terms of the types roles to apply for, i.e. slightly side-stepping from my previous role but positions where my skills and experience would still have relevance. The reason for this thread though is that I'm thinking on using some of my savings to go back-packing for 6-8 weeks while I try to clear my head and reevaluate things but this would involve terminating (or only suspending if possible?) my Job Seeker's Allowance and I'm wondering how I would then be treated as a candidate if I were to reapply for the benefit when I'd return?

I want to be clear that I have no intention of trying to collect JSA while simultaneously be travelling and hence not searching for work but would I be eligible to receive any benefit if I were to reapply upon returning home or would I no longer then have the required no. of stamps and be entitled to nothing?

Or is there simply a way of suspending your JSA benefit and not be treated as a new applicant?

Many thanks to anyone with any insight.

TL;DR: Currently on JSA but haven't been able to find a job again as quickly as I'd hoped. Thinking about travelling for 6-8 weeks while I have the natural career break. Would I be eligible for JSA when I'd or return?

First, JSA isn't a "benefit" rather it's a means-tested allowance, meaning that it's based on your income (or lack of same) rather than on your PRSI contributions.


This is the position on JA and travelling abroad as set out in the "welfare.ie" site:

Absence from the State

A person shall be disqualified from receiving JA while s/he is resident, whether temporarily or permanently, outside the State.

There are two exceptions to this disqualification:

Holidays Abroad

(a) A person may receive JA for 2 weeks holidays in any calendar year. These holidays may be taken abroad. S/he is required to inform the Intreo Centre or Branch Office 2 weeks in advance of his/her departure and to complete the form UP 30. All holiday payments should be made retrospectively, It is not necessary for persons to present themselves at the Office after their holidays in order for normal payments to resume and arrears due to be issued. If a person goes on holiday for longer than 2 weeks, s/he may be paid in respect of the first two weeks, but should be disqualified for any period abroad in excess of this.

Persons who have been approved for unpaid holiday leave outside of the standard periods i.e. are away for longer than 2 weeks, should be asked to attend upon their return. It should also be noted that offices retain the discretion to invite any person to return to the Office after their holiday period where it is considered that there is a valid reason for doing so.

Link: http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Jobseekers-Allowance.aspx

So it appears unlikely that they'll facilitate you in taking an 8 week gap in your JA payment. Although you have nothing to lose by asking them!

LegacyUser

I'm in the same situation going abroad for three weeks for my brothers wedding, would I have to start a new claim after the 3 three weeks? or how does it work?

Pronto63

GoingAbroadtwo wrote: »

I'm in the same situation going abroad for three weeks for my brothers wedding, would I have to start a new claim after the 3 three weeks? or how does it work?

For a short period of time it is possible to suspend a claim. If they won't accommodate you in this way you just reapply when you get back.
Keep flight tickets to prove when you left and returned. Also bank statement to show your saving financing your trip.

Shouldn't b a problem either way.