Seetec, JSA and Disability Allowance

Horatio26. · 09-08-2019 09:16PM #1

I am currently getting JSA but recently spoke to my GP and decided to apply for DA. I just got a letter to attend a Seetec meeting AND a separate letter from the department asking me to prove where I've been applying etc. I think they just send those out now and then to everyone on JSA.

I was applying for jobs until recently (had my last interview last week although that was only PT anyway as I'm not able for FT ) and have email proof but after the chat with my GP, am going to see what happens with DA.

My Q is :

1) What do I do about this letter asking if I'm fit to work and looking for ft work when my circumstances have just changed?

2) Am I meant to still attend Seetec meetings while waiting to hear about DA - it seems a bit of a waste on both ends if I can't be working f/t

3) While waiting to hear about DA will they take my JSA away as it's only meant for job seekers, obviously. I read before that I may get SWA but someone at the department told me that wouldn't be the case so now I'm confused. I'm also wondering what SWA entails - is it the same amount as JSA and what happens to the fuel allowance I would've been eligible to collect this fall? Does that not come with SWA? If I'm getting SWA and my DA application is denied will I be able to keep it during my appeal and if my appeal is rejected will I have to go off it onto nothing?

Any advice appreciated, thanks.

hawthorne · 09-08-2019 11:08PM

That is a difficult one.
If you are unfit for work, you are not entitled to JSA. You are either fit for work or not.
To get DA is a very long process- it can take a year or more. Most people fail to get it and have to apply again.
So you would be left without money for a long time.

SWA is a way out. It has a very strict means test- you are only allowed to have up to Euro 5000. If you have more- you are supposed to use that money up first. If you have nothing at all, you should get SWA without any problems. You would get it until your DA application is decided on. You will loose your FA for the time being. You probably get it all backpaid if you get DA.

I would sent in all your proof for seeking work as requested by the department. The question about "Fit for work" is the difficult one. If you are honest and tell them you are not- you loose your JSA at once. You might just sign "you are fit for work" for the time being.This would buy you some time to find out about SWA.

I would also attend the Seetec meeting. If there is a face-to-face meeting, you might be forced to tell them about your health problems. If there are no questions, you just go on with the thing.

I would contact Citizen Information as soon as possible. Put all your cards on the table. They tell you about all your option. Do it first thing Monday morning.

Good luck anyhow!

Horatio26. · 09-08-2019 11:21PM

I am fit for work depending on the job, really. For instance, the job I applied for last week was only 3 days and 1 of them was admin work that could even be done from home. The other two were a few hours a day supervising maintenance on a holiday property.

As for DA I realize it's a long process but my case officer said it's around 3 months - not a year

I can anticipate that I'll have to appeal it but I of course have the letter from my GP, neurologist etc. so hopefully I get it eventually.

Regarding the SWA means test, I have zero money. I live week to week so am not concerned about that part. I guess my concern is, if I apply for DA and don't get it, can I go back on JSA or am I meant to stay on SWA or I'm just dropped altogether? I will see my case officer before I send the form back in I think - they give you 14 days to do so even though the DON'T date the letter.

I'll attend the meeting but really hate the idea of telling the Seetec ppl my health issues.

Thanks for the reply !

chicorytip · 10-08-2019 12:45PM

Horatio26. wrote:

I am fit for work depending on the job, really. For instance, the job I applied for last week was only 3 days and 1 of them was admin work that could even be done from home. The other two were a few hours a day supervising maintenance on a holiday property.

This does not make sense. In order to qualify for Disability Allowance you need to demonstrate you are suffering from a chronic condition that will prevent from taking up any form of employment at all. You cannot claim to be capable of one particular sort of job but not another or only capable of working under conditions that suit yourself e.g. from your own home or only on certain days of the week.

Horatio26. · 10-08-2019 12:52PM

chicorytip wrote: »

This does not make sense. In order to qualify for Disability Allowance you need to demonstrate you are suffering from a chronic condition that will prevent from taking up any form of employment at all. You cannot claim to be capable of one particular sort of job but not another or only capable of working under conditions that suit yourself e.g. from your own home or only on certain days of the week.

Hi, I see what you're saying. I've been a retail manager for 20yrs and have a slipped disc from being on my feet. I also have stressed induced seizures and have developed severe anxiety so yes, jobs that don't require me to be around ppl 40hrs a week or on my feet would be suitable. On DA you can still work but are not expected to work ft. Seeing as how I could still do the work in that job if I couldn't leave the house that day, it does make sense.

thenightman · 10-08-2019 01:10PM

Go to Seetec, all they will want you to do is update your CV and apply for jobs you've no chance of getting. They are only interested in claiming their 'bonus' from the gov for finding you employment, so will attempt to shoehorn you into any job no matter how unsuitable. As an example, I have bad arthritis in my knees and they were directing me to apply for warehouse work and site work instead of work I was qualified and experienced in, where I eventually got myself employed in again. Disclose nothing about your medical conditions to them.

Go to the meeting with the department and bring evidence of all the jobs you've been applying for. I printed off all my emails to do with job applications and bunged them in an envelope and handed them over, they guy didn't even look at them & gave them back to me, happy that another box had been ticked. Disclose nothing about your medical condition unless directly asked.

Continue on with your DA application, which may entail using SWA eventually.

Horatio26. · 10-08-2019 01:17PM

thenightman wrote: »

Go to Seetec, all they will want you to do is update your CV and apply for jobs you've no chance of getting. They are only interested in claiming their 'bonus' from the gov for finding you employment, so will attempt to shoehorn you into any job no matter how unsuitable. As an example, I have bad arthritis in my knees and they were directing me to apply for warehouse work and site work instead of work I was qualified and experienced in, where I eventually got myself employed in again. Disclose nothing about your medical conditions to them.

Go to the meeting with the department and bring evidence of all the jobs you've been applying for. I printed off all my emails to do with job applications and bunged them in an envelope and handed them over, they guy didn't even look at them & gave them back to me, happy that another box had been ticked. Disclose nothing about your medical condition unless directly asked.

Continue on with your DA application, which may entail using SWA eventually.

Thanks - do you reckon I should even tell Seetec about DA or just jump through their hoops?

I don't want the dept asking why I co-operated with Seetec knowing I can't work ft

thenightman · 10-08-2019 02:08PM

If you don't co-op with Seetec they'll report that back to DSP who will sanction you by cutting part/all of your payment. I'd play ball, they are being phased out at the end of the year I believe:

https://mattiemcgrath.ie/winding-down-of-jobpath-and-turas-nua-is-a-very-welcome-development-mattie-mcgrath/

Cherry Blossom · 10-08-2019 02:47PM

The case officer advised me that i would stay on JSA while waiting for my DA claim to be processed so thats what i did. No issues, no sanctions, no problem.

Horatio26. · 10-08-2019 03:18PM

thenightman wrote: »

If you don't co-op with Seetec they'll report that back to DSP who will sanction you by cutting part/all of your payment. I'd play ball, they are being phased out at the end of the year I believe:

https://mattiemcgrath.ie/winding-down-of-jobpath-and-turas-nua-is-a-very-welcome-development-mattie-mcgrath/

Yes I asked about this on another thread but was told there was no decision made. I also read they'd stop taking new clients but nope!

I have no issue playing ball, going to meetings etc but just don't wanna be made out to be a fraud because I'm in between two allowances (one that says I must be looking for work and one that says I can't) as the decision to apply for DA was only just made

Horatio26. · 10-08-2019 03:19PM

Cherry Blossom wrote: »

The case officer advised me that i would stay on JSA while waiting for my DA claim to be processed so thats what i did. No issues, no sanctions, no problem.

Interesting, I'll ask her about this but don't want it to come back to bite me in the ass with a "my word vs. the dept" type thing

Horatio26. · 11-08-2019 12:43AM

Cherry Blossom wrote: »

The case officer advised me that i would stay on JSA while waiting for my DA claim to be processed so thats what i did. No issues, no sanctions, no problem.

Did your DA get approved or you're still waiting?

Cherry Blossom · 11-08-2019 05:28AM

Horatio26. wrote: »

Did your DA get approved or you're still waiting?

I applied in December, got first payment in April.

Liamo57 · 02-01-2020 07:43PM

Most people not working presently have no interest in working and Seetec know this. They hear the same lies and sob stories day in day out. Jobpath means you are suppossed to be actively seeking full time work. If you are not and Seetec annoy you then phone them to leave the Jobpath programme.

Seetec, JSA and Disability Allowance

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