Social welfare suspended and means tested

emilymemily

Hi im an NQT, just finished college at the end of June and signed on straight away after finishing the course. Ive been applying to lots of different jobs and was lucky enough to receive 2 weeks full time teaching work in a Summer school.
Before I accepted I went down to social welfare to ask them how my payments would be effected, as the work was short term I didnt want to be left with no money after it finished. I explained it was full time work, monday - friday.
The guy in social welfare told me my payment would be suspended for the two weeks and I was told to get a letter from my employer with my start and finish date and once I bring that in the suspension will be lifted.
I was also told that any money I earn wont be means tested because im not technically signed on when I earn it. All sounded very straight forward so I went and accepted the job. The next day I went back to social welfare to inform them that I had taken the temp employment and as I was speaking to somebody different, I double checked with her, just to be sure and asked what I should bring to have the suspension lifted, she said just bring a letter from the employment with start and finish date.

So I completed the two weeks work, went back to social welfare today with the letter from my employment with the dates I started and finished but the lady in S/W told me my money will be means tested and they consider it to be 4 weeks employment, not 2 because they consider Monday and Tuesday a separate week and I wont get a full S/W payment now because I worked full time for 2 weeks (or 4 weeks in their terms).
She also asked about some form that I was supposed to get filled out by the employer? first time id heard of it and I said I didnt have a form filled out. I asked her how long would it be before I could get the suspension lifted and she said how ever long it takes for the employer to fill out the form that I was to give them. The employer is a 2 hour bus journey away from me and costs 30 euro to get there and back - I dont have my wages as I used them to pay my college fees so because I took that employment im now in a financial hole.

I explained this to her and she went off, came back and told me she spoke to the manager, the suspensions lifted and I can collect my money this week. I was so grateful and relieved, I left feeling much better but then thought I better go back and check that theres nothing I have to do like sign on or anything, as theyd previously given me all the wrong information I just thought I should double check that so I went back an hour or two later and asked at the reception and the man said I dont have to sign on but he checked my claim and said the suspension wasnt lifted. I explained what the lady said to me earlier and he said to me that she might just do it later. Now im worried the suspension wont be lifted and ill be left with no money. Im also worried about going back in and rocking the boat as id been working full time for the 2 weeks I now might not be entitled to any money from S/W if it ends up being means tested.

What would you do in that situation?

lolo62

Why are you being means tested? Do you not qualify for jobseekers benefit?

Del2005

Can you email/fax or post the form to your employer?

Cash_Q

Sorry to hear that they've given you so much hassle, it nearly puts people off taking up short term work because of the hassle involved and financial risk.

Accept what she told you about the claim not being suspended anymore and hope for the best. If your payment isn't there when expected, then go back to them

emilymemily

Thanks everyone, I went back in today just to check, the guy told me the suspension is lifted and there'll be 60 euro for me to collect tomorrow. So i've 60 euro to get me through the week because I took on two weeks employment after they told me in social welfare that I wouldnt be means tested. I also have to pay them back 198 for the first week as id no money to get to and from my place of employment. Ive no problem paying that back but to think theyve cut my money now too, how am I supposed to get that 198 together now? Feels like im being punished for taking up work and being honest with them about it. I will be very reluctant to take on temporary employment again in the future which is a shame as being an NQT its nearly impossible to find full time permanent work.

Turnipman

emilymemily wrote: »

Thanks everyone, I went back in today just to check, the guy told me the suspension is lifted and there'll be 60 euro for me to collect tomorrow. So i've 60 euro to get me through the week because I took on two weeks employment after they told me in social welfare that I wouldnt be means tested. I also have to pay them back 198 for the first week as id no money to get to and from my place of employment. Ive no problem paying that back but to think theyve cut my money now too, how am I supposed to get that 198 together now? Feels like im being punished for taking up work and being honest with them about it. I will be very reluctant to take on temporary employment again in the future which is a shame as being an NQT its nearly impossible to find full time permanent work.

Dealing only with the repayment question: They'll send the details of the €198 overpayment to their repayments section who will eventually write to you and invite you to repay it. If you reply that you can't afford to, then it will be taken back from your JA over a number of weeks.

The rest of your post baffles me - I suggest that you ask for the details of the means test calculations in writing - you are entitled to this - and then upload them so we can see what they have done. Then you can ask for a review - or just go to Citizens Information and they'll FoI your file for you and ask for a review if it's wrong.