Jobseekers when married/cohabiting

teemo

Hi,

I currently receive one parent family allowance and live with parents. I’m getting married next year and myself and my partner will be moving in together hopefully within the next few months. I won’t be entitled to opf once we move in together and I’ll be looking for part time work (I have to wait and see where we will live first though as I don’t drive and can’t travel too far). Would I be entitled to Jobseeker’s Allowance while looking for work? He earns 34k per year before tax but we’re struggling to find somewhere decent to rent on just his earnings alone and could use some supports while we get settled and I find a job. I’ve been looking online and can’t seem to find out whether or not I’ll receive anything at all and if so how much. We don’t have any other income, savings or property and he also has a child from a previous relationship who he pays maintenance for and will stay with us on weekends if that makes any difference at all.

TooTired123

Hi

If you were to look for JSA you’d have to say you were looking for full time work, there’s no payment for those only available for part time. In any case you would only be in receipt of €20 at best. He’s not entitled to WFP either.

What you need to do as a family immediately is apply for the housing list in your area. That way when you do find somewhere to live you might be entitled to HAP.

I hope I don’t sound patronising but if you’ve been living at home with your parents for some time with your child then you’re going to find life quite difficult paying rent electric oil/gas bins TV/WIFi car tax/insurance/fuel/repairs groceries etc on one modest wage. It would be great if you could get a job but only if you don’t have huge childcare/travelling to work costs?

teemo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118958134#Comment_118958134

Thanks for your reply. And yes we’re well aware of how difficult it would be on one income. When adding up all necessary expenses like rent, bills, food, car etc we’d actually be in a deficit every month. We are both already on the housing list in the same area but separately. Do you know if it’s possible to combine us on the list or would we have to start a whole new application? I’m only on the list for 2 years and was told average wait time is around 8 years so I don’t expect to be offered a place anytime soon but HAP would come in very handy for us.

TooTired123

The best thing to do is to ring your local authority and explain what’s happening to them and they’ll see what they can do for you.