Government Benefits Megathread

Dempo1 wrote: »

Fully agree but what does a consultation actually entail, an sms thread, a phone call, email etc, I suppose my point being we can certainly expect the norms will potentially be thrown out the window, I for one won't be tolerating it

The norms will be as to the levels employees allow themselves to be pushed to. If there is pushback employers will find themselves without employees and a WRC case to handle regardless. The government has essentially put employers on the line for any issues as they have given the TWSS and PUP but made it so employers will be at fault if they do not keep to regulations. The only regulation changed was the forced redundancy legislation that an employee could push for if they were laid off for 4 wks and or not given 13wks of normal employment once requested. All other employee rights have not changed - even in the pandemic.

EWSS is what it should of been from the start not the TWSS as this did not allow employers to pay full gross pay without losing their funds from revenue as TWSS was net based.

rahmalec wrote: »

Anyone know what the qualifying criteria are for the EWSS after this month???

You might get the answer quicker on this thread

https://touch.boards.ie/thread/2058066571/148/#post117474825

Or search taxation, some discussion there also

Carnmore wrote: »

Is the PUP going to be ending on different dates according to which payment rate you are on?

Just had a chat with a state agency official and they said for those currently on the €203 rate, the PUP will be ending in September, November for the €250 rate and February 2022 for the €350 and €300 rates.

My understanding was that those on say the €250 rate will be reduced to €203 in September and will remain at that rate until the PUP ends for everyone in February 2022.

Does anyone know which is correct?

This is the first I have heard of this, I have searched and cannot find anything to confirm that the above is the case, it only states the rates will be reduced and that the PUP will be ended in February on the basis the economy is fully reopened.

It doesn't sound correct to me as they state in the conditions of PUP now you must be genuinely seeking employment the same as with JB / JSA unless you can say with certainty your work is in such as the entertainment or hospitality industry and that your job will be reinstated within 12 months.

My understanding would be they are going to reduce the payment until who ever is left on PUP in early 2022 will be on the same rate as JB / JSA and then transition them across at that point.

GreenGrass2019 wrote: »

Hi

Has anyone else received the following message when trying to log into mywelfare.ie via mygov login

'The phone number you provided is unreachable or you have hit the limit on the number of verification attempts.'

My phone is not unreachable.

Thanks.

I just came here to post this,
I wonder is it just a notification about the phone scams going on.

GreenGrass2019 wrote: »

Hi

Has anyone else received the following message when trying to log into mywelfare.ie via mygov login

'The phone number you provided is unreachable or you have hit the limit on the number of verification attempts.'

My phone is not unreachable.

Thanks.

I got the expected notification re confirming eligibility, logged in with no problem, about an hour ago, just to check the message, Notifications, haven't completed form yet, will do later in the week

GreenGrass2019 wrote: »

This is the first I have heard of this, I have searched and cannot find anything to confirm that the above is the case, it only states the rates will be reduced and that the PUP will be ended in February on the basis the economy is fully reopened.

It doesn't sound correct to me as they state in the conditions of PUP now you must be genuinely seeking employment the same as with JB / JSA unless you can say with certainty your work is in such as the entertainment or hospitality industry and that your job will be reinstated within 12 months.

My understanding would be they are going to reduce the payment until who ever is left on PUP in early 2022 will be on the same rate as JB / JSA and then transition them across at that point.

Apparently not unfortunately, there's apparently more clarity on the gov.ie website which says people will be contacted prior to their band (rate) reducing to €203 which means ending, in essence, my understanding is as your payment reduces to the €203 rate you'll have to apply for jobseekers before rate is reduced, it was actually mentioned in a heated Dail debate today and I'm not sure it was common knowledge, the only group that will stay on pup until Feb 2022 are those on the current highest rate of €350 that will not reduce down to €203 in feb 2022, I'm open to correction but that's my reading of the situation.

GreenGrass2019 wrote: »

Thanks Dempo - I just got access and same as yourself eligibility request.



I think you're right as I had no problem accessing mywelfare.ie now.



Okay, this is interesting, first I'm hearing about it, I'm surprised it hasn't been flagged on the news or maybe I just haven't seen it, I'll take a look at Gov.ie again as I couldn't find anything the other day.

Would be interested in your understanding of it and yes, I'm sure many people don't realise what's going to be required, in reality if anyone applying for Jobseekers it can take weeks, also wondering how for those entitled to JSB based on contributions will be impacted being on PUP for extended periods. First I became aware was an argument in the Dail earluer, apparently self employed people, taxi drivers already getting calls from SW re upskilling (can you imagine what the response from taxi driver was, colorful I'd imagine,)

Lyle wrote: »

Has anyone else here been receiving a call from a Welfare officer in the last fortnight from a mobile? I've been plagued a bit by 085/087 scam calls and it turns out one of the 087 numbers that called me last week was actually a Welfare case officer. I've tried calling back, leaving voicemails but haven't received a call back and now I've had a message on My Welfare notifying me that I need to confirm eligibility. I'm assuming the two aren't linked but it's a bit of an irritant that DEASP have decide to cold call using a number with a prefix that is currently plaguing the nation with scams instead of using an official number or a landline that begins with 01 or any other county code.

Just be clear, whilst a case officer dealing with a specific issue, enquiry etc might call from a mobile number, the person receiving that call would normally be aware of this. DEASP do not as a rule call people randomly from Mobile numbers, indeed I got a call about 2 months ago from a Dublin number but I was pre notified I would be getting a call as part of process notified to me re PUP, and supports available, many others would have got a call or at the time confirm eligibility through mywelfare. Given spate of spam calls it would be almost negligent of DEASP to be calling people randomly from mobile numbers, I'm not doubting your experience just surprised.

There are many scam calls doing the rounds, the funniest from an 087 number, robotic voice talking nonsense about Garda, PPS Number. I got 4 in a row with a different final digit.

Dempo1 wrote: »

Just be clear, whilst a case officer dealing with a specific issue, enquiry etc might call from a mobile number, the person receiving that call would normally be aware of this. DEASP do not as a rule call people randomly from Mobile numbers, indeed I got a call about 2 months ago from a Dublin number but I was pre notified I would be getting a call as part of process notified to me re PUP, and supports available, many others would have got a call or at the time confirm eligibility through mywelfare. Given spate of spam calls it would be almost negligent of DEASP to be calling people randomly from mobile numbers, I'm not doubting your experience just surprised.

There are many scam calls doing the rounds, the funniest from an 087 number, robotic voice talking nonsense about Garda, PPS Number. I got 4 in a row with a different final digit.

I made a note of all the calls I got that week, and one number called twice, so I called that number back because usually its all different numbers and I got the voicemail "This is *insert name*, Welfare Case Officer, please leave your name" etc etc so it was legitimate alright. Surprised me. I've left a voicemail and called the number back daily but no response or call back yet.

That is correct; it’s on the gov.ie site under COVID 19

Ya, I got two notifications and of course filled it up the second time also, just in case.

It is extraordinary how some people have had this issue and unable to rectify it. I take a screen shot of every step I take when completing these requests, especially the final notification thanking me for confirming etc. I'm sure if you've at least one confirmation all will be fine but take a screen shot just in case

Same here - I have a screenshot of every screen for all my forms, I have sent them on a few screenshots to exemplify the case.

this week I heard of a pub in Dublin who have a number of staff returned to full time work but they are still receiving PUP and getting €50 cash in hand.

is there a way of reporting this?

Here's an idea, mind your own business.