Job Seekers Benefit - expiry

sub3wannabe

Hi all,

Long story short I have resigned from my job after 5 years.

I believe I will have paid sufficient contributions in order to be able to avail of the max 9 months of support.

My question is, does the 9 months start counting down from the day I became unemployed or does it only start ticking the day I sign on?

I have some savings and will hopefully find a job soon but if the 9 months is ticking then maybe I should just sign on straight away?

Tks

Mrs OBumble

If you have voluntarily made yourself unemployed, then you have a 9-week stand down, during which you are not eligible for welfare.

There are ways around this, including resigning on medical advice or talking an employment complaint.

Maybe ask on the state benefits forum for advice.

ari101

You should contact your local social welfare office and apply for job seekers. They may say you are entitled to nothing for the first 9 weeks as you left your job voluntarily (unless you had a good reason; their discretion what counts as a good reason), and by the time you are entitled to benefit you may have another job, but they tend to get sh*tty if you turn up at the end of the 9 weeks to apply, having not informed them you were unemployed because you expected to not be able to claim...🤦😅

sub3wannabe

Thanks mate thats helpful.

Basically the way I see it is that I have decent savings to get me through say 6 months of living expenses and I'd be hopeful within that period that I'd be able to find employment. My concern would be that worst case scenario in 6 months time I'm still unemployed and would have to sign on and then only have 3 months left of JSB. If I knew that on that date I could still sign on and begin my 9 months then I'd be content with that.

To sum it up, do your PRSI contributions remain as a credit to be used at anytime or does it expire.

Cheers

gipi

In the main, when deciding JSB entitlements,DSP look at what they call the governing contribution year (gcy). The PRSI you paid in the gcy will determine whether you're entitled to a benefit payment.

For 2022, the gcy is 2020. In January 2023, the gcy changes to 2021.

So your PRSI won't "last for ever" in terms of jobseeker payments.

Signing on will also maintain your PRSI record for pension purposes - not signing will leave a gap which might become important in years to come.

sub3wannabe

Thanks mate that's useful info.

I'll probably live off expenses for the moment and hopefully find something soon. JSB is a nice safety net I guess.

accensi0n

Just save yourself the worry and sign on immediately man. You've worked for years, you obviously quit for a good reason and plan to get a new job, don't be stubborn about "not taking advantage of the system."

ari101

If you are unemployed and not claiming benefit you are not getting PRSI contributions. If you are on jobseekers you get a credited PRSI contribution on your record. Gaps in contribution over the years added up can effect the value of an old age contributory pension, so better to apply always if you are unemployed.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119863050#Comment_119863050

You may also be able to claim jobseekers allowance which is means tested.

You will need to sign on now and can claim for supplemental welfare payment if you have no money to keep you going for 9 weeks. A lot of people forget they have savings when applying.