UP15 form

stevennnn

Hi,

I have currently made a claim for Jobseekers Benefit and have all the paperwork filled in and sent off. Then today I recived a letter in the post asking for a UP15 form. Anyone know what this is exactly? I understand it's to clarify if there's been a loss of working hours.

I have just returned to Ireland after working abroad for 3 months. I was working part time before I left, 2-3 days a week, 20-30 hours and working full time while abroad.

I qualify for Jobseekers Benefit apparently as I had enough 'stamps' built up.

I'm just wondering why welfare are looking for this letter if I'm over 25 and have the correct amount of 'stamps'? Why does it matter how many hours I was working 6 months ago as I have had a substantial loss of employment, I went from 3 days a week to 0.

Any help from anyone on here would be very much appreciated thank you

splinter65

The form is for your last employer to fill in in respect of your work pattern prior to your departure from that employment.
Did you leave or were you let go?

stevennnn

splinter65 wrote: »

The form is for your last employer to fill in in respect of your work pattern prior to your departure from that employment.
Did you leave or were you let go?

The employement ceased so I was technically let go.

I don't understand why they need that information. (my working days and what I was paid for the last 13 weeks of my old employment) My old employer is on the other side of the country and I'd say I'd be waiting a while to get a fax back from them if I were to fax them.

It seems like irrelevant information considering I was part time, I was claiming for part time work so they would have all my dockets etc, I've got enough PRSI contributions for JB and I went from 3 days a week to being fully unemployed so I don't understand why it's important.

Can they deem working 3 days a week not being a substantial loss of work and not grant me JB? Do PRSI contributions depend on earnings?

michael_b_

Jeeez don't all shout at once.

You won't get too much help on here with social welfare topics, most are too busy worrying about you defrauding the state to give some helpful advice.

I was in a similar position to yours last year. I had become unemployed and my employer had gobe out of business. Welfare wouldn't accept that I was unable to fill out the UP15 form even though my old employer wasn't around any more. If your employer is still active I'd suggest hopping in your car and driving to them or you could be in for a long few months, or else do what I done and find a job in London

stevennnn

I did go foreign and found work but it only last 3 months and the employer also went out of business.

The problem is I don't own a car and the trip to my employers would likely take 8-10 hours round trip on public transport if even all possible in the same day. What I don't get is why they need this information. I was casual at the time so they have the dockets of the hours etc I worked.

I was earning just over 250 a week which I wouldn't have thought was enough for my PRSI contributions but apparently I do qualify for jobseekers benefit. I also don't understand why they need to clarify my working hours before as I'm completely unemployed now. So whether it was 5 days a week or 2 it's now 0 so it's a substantial loss of hours

Also something that caught my attention that I don't think was on the others was "In accordance with the Freedom of Information act, information supplied by me may be shown to other interested parties" This seems very odd and a huge breach of privacy.

Squatter

stevennnn wrote: »

Do PRSI contributions depend on earnings?

Yes. The more you earn, the more PRSI you pay!