Wife in arrears of 3,600 euro to the state

Del007

My wife is currently out of work due to corona virus.

She contacted the social welfare as she was missing a few payments, they informed her that she was in arrears of 3,600 euro.

They told her that her work claimed for her during the first lockdown while she was also claiming.

It's currently under investigation, has anyone had this happen to them?

Thanks

SourSessions

I think the first thing you need to find out is, were her work claiming for her when she wasn't working? Is it a clerical error or deliberate? Regardless, if there's been an overpayment it will have to be paid back but it seems you need to find who to blame first.

BowWow

Was she working and being paid by her employer during the first lockdown?

Dodge

BowWow wrote: »

Was she working and being paid by her employer during the first lockdown?

This is the only question that needs answering

If she was working, she owes the money

If she wasn’t working, her employer owes the money

Dempo1

Del007 wrote: »

My wife is currently out of work due to corona virus.

She contacted the social welfare as she was missing a few payments, they informed her that she was in arrears of 3,600 euro.

They told her that her work claimed for her during the first lockdown while she was also claiming.

It's currently under investigation, has anyone had this happen to them?

Thanks

Zero reports across boards on this happening as it shouldn't given Revenue and SW cross check, it's possible if someone was on PUP and employer then decided to avail of TWSS or EWSS, but from what I've seen, SW contact recipients on PUP almost immediately to close their PUP payment.

I can't get my head around €3600 in arrears (this by the way. won't include tax liability), this amount equates to almost 10 weeks of the highest PUP Rate of €350 pw.

Employers are required to show any TWSS/EWSS Payments on payslips. If your wife was being paid and on PUP there's no arguing the SW assertion. If she was not being paid by employer and claiming PUP this is easily proven but I'd be recommending have all documentation ready and bank statements for the period in question.

Worth pointing out that even the smallest payment (income) to a PAYE employee can result in PUP suspension, for example owed holidays, owed hours etc. Whilst ligitimate payments it's a mistake and will be picked up by SW. I mention this as its beggars belief 10 weeks of duel TWSS/ESS & PUP was not picked up.

Del007

Her work was closed during the first lockdown so as a result, she wasn't working.

She was getting the pup payment from the government but wasn't being paid from work. (not sure if her wages were being topped up or not)

The lady from social welfare said that she's not able to contact the team that do the investigations so not sure when we'll find out about it.

capefear

if she got the PUP she will more than likely have a tax bill but 3600 seems alot.

Did you check the revenue website https://www.ros.ie/myaccount-web/sign_in.html?execution=e2s1

you might be able to see how much PUP was received and payroll etc.

Dempo1

Del007 wrote: »

Her work was closed during the first lockdown so as a result, she wasn't working.

She was getting the pup payment from the government but wasn't being paid from work. (not sure if her wages were being topped up or not)

The lady from social welfare said that she's not able to contact the team that do the investigations so not sure when we'll find out about it.

The problem is that it doesn't matter if her work was closed, these wage subsidy schemes allowed employers to pay staff even if they were furloughed or business closed.

As long as she can prove absolutely no wage payments, she'll be fine but employer might be in a spot of bother over this.

Can she contact employers?, just be sure to have her get documentation ready, last payslip before she first claimed pup, bank statement (assuming she was paid through bank)

Don't be worried, as long as she recieved no wages while on PUP she'll be fine. Just a pain as investigation could take weeks