Government Benefits Megathread

Dempo1 · 26-06-2021 4:11pm

head82 wrote: »

Cheers Dempo1!
I couldn't help but feel at the time the offer was a deliberately 'crap' offer.
As if he knew full well that I could not accept but at least he was making an offer and that got him off the hook should he be contacted by DEASP or whoever. Which I suspect is what's happening at the moment.

At present I don't believe SW actually contacting employers, but I agree that may change, whether there is data protection issues I can't say, currently employers can report employee's who refuse their Jobs back however being offered a 1/4 of your job back is absolutely not the same as being offered your actual Job back.

To date there's been very little, almost miniscule amounts of employers reporting employee's. My advice is hold fast, if you are contacted by SW, I absolutely and categorically deny you were offered your full time job back and furthermore you potentially persuing a redundancy claim.

Have you a contract of employment? If so is there any provision for your hours to be reduced?, I'm assuming your happy enough you have the service to be eligible for redundancy etc.

It's going to be cases such as yours that are going to create a stink, so hold fast, make no quick decisions.

Lyle · 26-06-2021 4:23pm

head82 wrote: »

Precisely!
Just yesterday I had a conversation with my employer regards returning to work after 15 months of layoff.
He offered me 4 days work per week at 4 hours per day!
A total of 16 hours pay.
This would result in a substantial reduction compared to what I'm currently receiving on PUP ( pre-pandemic, I was a full time employee on an income greater than PUP rates).

He seemed baffled at my rejection of his offer. Even though I explained to him clearly the vast drop in my weekly income.

Now, I don't know where I stand as regarding my potential claim to redundancy as I have effectively turned down a request to return to work.. despite that request resulting in a severly detrimental effect to my basic living wage income.

I've tried to find info relating to this particular situation but as I stated earlier.. there's a serious lack of clarification from the relevant government bodies.

I'm sorry you've to deal with that, it's a serious headache in an already highly unpleasant and uncertain situation. This could end up being an example case study of what we might see going forward... Bring employees back on short term working hours but short term hours are allowed to be questioned after 4 weeks, upon which you need to be guaranteed 13 weeks of unbroken work or you can claim redundancy. But how does that work if redundancies are banned?

These are the real issues with the PUP. While undoubtedly a fantastic thing to be introduced by the government, it was a blunt instrument and aside from demonising it, trying to cut rates and attempting to end the payment entirely on several occasions, the government have put no other thought or energy into it. The blunt instrument remains blunt rather than being refined to sensibly link it with pre-pandemic policy around working hours, lay off, shorter weeks and redundancies. It's maddening to hear of cases like yours, that shouldn't be arising but for the ineptitude of government to apply sense and refine the guidelines of the payment.

I'd hold on if I were you, definitely. Get your ducks in a row, contact Citizens Information and Welfare departments to probe around these issues and try and glean any information you can from them. Although I'd imagine in the end they'll be in the dark about this as much as we are. I feel sorry for the person from Welfare who's going to be calling me next week to check in because I'm going to have more questions for him than he's going to have for me.

head82 · 26-06-2021 4:33pm

Dempo1 wrote: »

At present I don't believe SW actually contacting employers, but I agree that may change, whether there is data protection issues I can't say, currently employers can report employee's who refuse their Jobs back however being offered a 1/4 of your job back is absolutely not the same as being offered your actual Job back.

To date there's been very little, almost miniscule amounts of employers reporting employee's. My advice is hold fast, if you are contacted by SW, I absolutely and categorically deny you were offered your full time job back and furthermore you potentially persuing a redundancy claim.

Have you a contract of employment? If so is there any provision for your hours to be reduced?, I'm assuming your happy enough you have the service to be eligible for redundancy etc.

It's going to be cases such as yours that are going to create a stink, so hold fast, make no quick decisions.

I do have a contract of employment and there is a provision for hours to be reduced in the event of downturn of business which I was aware of and agreed to.

However, I was under the assumption that having been laid off for more than 6 weeks I could trigger a redundancy claim.
Granted, that avenue has been blocked off till end of September. But when Sep. ends and I have not returned to work on my original terms and conditions, then I believed I was still eligible to claim statutary redundancy.

Dempo1 · 26-06-2021 4:45pm

head82 wrote: »

I do have a contract of employment and there is a provision for hours to be reduced in the event of downturn of business which I was aware of and agreed to.

However, I was under the assumption that having been laid off for more than 6 weeks I could trigger a redundancy claim.
Granted, that avenue has been blocked off till end of September. But when Sep. ends and I have not returned to work on my original terms and conditions, then I was still eligible to claim statutary redundancy.

I believe you are correct in your assumption, it's going to come down to interpretation of redundancy legislation and how the pandemic has impacted that and like many others you will have an arguable case. In the true meaning and spirt of redundancy legislation 1000"s will be in a similar bind.

A few years ago employers could claim for any redundancy payments made so there was little net cost to them, all that has since changed and now they can't claim any refunds. Currently if an employer fails or is unable to pay redundancy, then the government step in, for an employer to claim they can't afford to pay, they have to prove it.

I had a hope that Government would come up with a mechanism to help employers with this issue but such is the cost of this and the pandemic, it's unlikely. I still believe you should hold fast.

Lyle · 26-06-2021 5:06pm

Dempo1 wrote: »

A few years ago employers could claim for any redundancy payments made so there was little net cost to them, all that has since changed and now they can't claim any refunds. Currently if an employer fails or is unable to pay redundancy, then the government step in, for an employer to claim they can't afford to pay, they have to prove it.

I had a hope that Government would come up with a mechanism to help employers with this issue but such is the cost of this and the pandemic, it's unlikely. I still believe you should hold fast.

I think all they've offered so far is an interest free loan to employers to pay a redundancy from the Social Insurance Fund rather than the pre-pandenic practice of basically having to declare insolvency almost for the SIF to step in and pay the employees package.

https://www.irishtimes.com/business/government-to-offer-interest-free-loans-to-firms-struggling-to-pay-redundancy-1.4583286

“Companies genuinely unable to pay will be able to get an interest-free loan from the Social Insurance Fund,” Mr Varadkar said in the letter.

ICTU have been crawling all over them more than others about these things, so I think the likes of Dr. Laura Bambrick and others high in that organisation are going to play a key part in keeping these discussions live in the media as we progress through summer.

Dempo1 · 26-06-2021 5:12pm

Lyle wrote: »

I think all they've offered so far is an interest free loan to employers to pay a redundancy from the Social Insurance Fund rather than the pre-pandenic practice of basically having to declare insolvency almost for the SIF to step in and pay the employees package.

https://www.irishtimes.com/business/government-to-offer-interest-free-loans-to-firms-struggling-to-pay-redundancy-1.4583286

ICTU have been crawling all over them more than others about these things, so I think the likes of Dr. Laura Bambrick and others high in that organisation are going to play a key part in keeping these discussions live in the media as we progress through summer.

I really hope so, just so depressing hearing stories like people being offered a fraction of their jobs back if at all, it's a shocking thing to say but in one sense its almost better if a business closes or ceases trading ( I don't wish this of course) but you'll get my meaning. I'd heard of tge interest free loan idea but I think we both know, few if any employers will take that offer up.

kennethsmyth · 26-06-2021 6:56pm

head82 wrote: »

Cheers Dempo1!
I couldn't help but feel at the time the offer was a deliberately 'crap' offer.
As if he knew full well that I could not accept but at least he was making an offer and that got him off the hook should he be contacted by DEASP or whoever. Which I suspect is what's happening at the moment.

Cannot change hours and pay without consultation - this is a bare minimum, I'll say there will be plenty of WRC cases next year essentially having to pay statutory redundancy up to the max of 2 years salary as that is the max WRC can apply.

Dempo1 · 26-06-2021 6:59pm

kennethsmyth wrote: »

Cannot change hours and pay without consultation - this is a bare minimum, I'll say there will be plenty of WRC cases next year essentially having to pay statutory redundancy up to the max of 2 years salary as that is the max WRC can apply.

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

kennethsmyth · 26-06-2021 7:42pm

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 · 28-06-2021 2:49pm

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

Dempo1 · 28-06-2021 3:00pm

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 · 05-07-2021 12:32pm

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?

GreenGrass2019 · 05-07-2021 1:51pm

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 · 06-07-2021 7:21pm

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.

airmax87 · 06-07-2021 7:55pm

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 · 06-07-2021 8:05pm

airmax87 wrote: »

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

It is a bit of a coincidence especially after the cyberattack on the HSE!

I'm going to keep an eye to mywelfare until tomorrow and then call them if there has been no change.

Dempo1 · 06-07-2021 8:18pm

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

Dempo1 · 06-07-2021 8:20pm

GreenGrass2019 wrote: »

It is a bit of a coincidence especially after the cyberattack on the HSE!

I'm going to keep an eye to mywelfare until tomorrow and then call them if there has been no change.

Just responded, no issues for me logging in about an hour ago, I'm wondering was there a lot of traffic due to the email notifications being sent out and 1,000"s logging in at the same time?

Dempo1 · 06-07-2021 8:26pm

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 · 06-07-2021 9:29pm

Dempo1 wrote: »

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

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

Dempo1 wrote: »

Just responded, no issues for me logging in about an hour ago, I'm wondering was there a lot of traffic due to the email notifications being sent out and 1,000"s logging in at the same time?

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

Dempo1 wrote: »

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.

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.

Dempo1 · 06-07-2021 10:09pm

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 · 06-07-2021 10:19pm

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.

Dempo1 · 06-07-2021 10:31pm

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.

GreenGrass2019 · 06-07-2021 10:55pm

Dempo1 wrote: »

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,)

I'll have to take a look and see what I can find - but it is news to me, I was definitely working on the assumption because they now have the caveat of genuinely seeking employment under PUP that they would be waiting until next February when everyone who is left claiming it is on the flat rate of €203 and then begin the process of transitioning them to Jobseekers or alternatively back into training / education / reskiling.

But maybe they're taking the approach of moving people in tranches?! ... is there anywhere to watch back the Dail debate you mention you saw earlier today?

Lyle · 06-07-2021 11:13pm

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.

GreenGrass2019 · 07-07-2021 12:00am

Dempo1 wrote: »

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,)

GreenGrass2019 wrote: »

I'll have to take a look and see what I can find - but it is news to me, I was definitely working on the assumption because they now have the caveat of genuinely seeking employment under PUP that they would be waiting until next February when everyone who is left claiming it is on the flat rate of €203 and then begin the process of transitioning them to Jobseekers or alternatively back into training / education / reskiling.

But maybe they're taking the approach of moving people in tranches?! ... is there anywhere to watch back the Dail debate you mention you saw earlier today?

Okay so I've done a fair bit of Google searching and finally came across this that if you can believe the Irish Mirror - you're right ... dependent on your PUP rate you will be moved across (automatically from what I can see) to Jobseekers once you reach the standard rate of €203 - I cannot find anything on Gov.ie or another government site detailing the following.

"Here are the details of all PUP end dates:

If you are getting the COVID-19 PUP at a rate of €203 per week, you will be kept on this rate of payment until September 7 - then you will transfer to the standard jobseekers’ terms.

If you are on a rate of €250 per week, you will stay on the same rate of payment until September 7 - when your rate of payment will change to €203 on September 14.

Then, you will transfer to the standard jobseekers’ terms from mid-November.

If you are getting €300 per week, you will stay on the same rate of payment until September 7, and will then change to €250 on September 14 and €203 in mid-November.

Once you reach the €203 rate in November, you will transfer to the standard jobseekers’ terms.

If you are at a rate of €350 per week, You will stay on the same rate of payment until September 7, but then your rate of payment will change to €300 on 14 September and €250 in mid-November.

In early February 2022, your rate of payment will then change to €203, when you will transfer to the standard jobseekers’ terms."

https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/social-welfare-update-pup-end-24347489

ATC110 · 15-07-2021 3:25pm

https://boards.ie/discussion/comment/117610600#Comment_117610600

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

ATC110 · 15-07-2021 3:32pm

Has anyone confirmed their PUP claim more than once before 20th July deadline?

I've confirmed this three times now - the first time proactively when I heard the government public service ad, then from a MyWelfare emailed request (received the same day as the first confirmation) and another yesterday stating I have yet to confirm my claim.

Each time I received a notification of receipt of my confirmation.

Has anyone else been asked to confirm their claim more than once, without any reference to their previous confirmations?

I have also yet to receive confirmation that my claim has been allowed. Is this normal?

I've tried to call the helpline but can’t get through.

hblock21 · 15-07-2021 7:09pm

https://boards.ie/discussion/comment/117615015#Comment_117615015

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

GreenGrass2019 · 16-07-2021 2:41pm

https://boards.ie/discussion/comment/117616368#Comment_117616368

Same here - I've emailed and sent a chaser today as no reply, to confirm all in order now. Very disconcerting to receive a second request stating you have not confirmed when in fact you have and the evidence of the prior confirmation is there in notifications on mywelare.ie!

I also tried calling two SW offices today to discover they close at 1pm now! So I'll put a call in Monday morning.

Dempo1 · 16-07-2021 3:06pm

https://boards.ie/discussion/comment/117620082#Comment_117620082

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

ATC110 · 16-07-2021 4:37pm

https://boards.ie/discussion/comment/117620082#Comment_117620082

Which email address did you use? I’ve confirmed three times now and haven’t had confirmation my claim is valid, just notification of receipt

GreenGrass2019 · 16-07-2021 9:55pm

https://boards.ie/discussion/comment/117620204#Comment_117620204

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.

GreenGrass2019 · 16-07-2021 9:56pm

https://boards.ie/discussion/comment/117620644#Comment_117620644

I use info@welfare.ie

Relax brah · 17-07-2021 1:43pm

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?

Zhane · 17-07-2021 2:46pm

I reckon the Revenue would be the place to start. If anything they’ll point you in the right direction.

Swaine · 17-07-2021 2:48pm

Here's an idea, mind your own business.

uptherebels · 17-07-2021 3:06pm

https://boards.ie/discussion/comment/117624139#Comment_117624139

Seeing as we all have to pay the money the government has to borrow It is their buisness

Relax brah · 17-07-2021 3:12pm

https://boards.ie/discussion/comment/117624139#Comment_117624139

I’d like to but my tax money is funding this fraud. So it’ll be actioned accordingly

Rows Grower · 17-07-2021 3:20pm

https://boards.ie/discussion/comment/117624242#Comment_117624242

"Alleged fraud", don't be so certain that the source of the rumour is accurate, many's a slip twixt cup and lip and even more slips between pint glasses and lips.

Dempo1 · 17-07-2021 3:36pm

I sense a spot of PUP recepient bashing here, previous attempts and outlandish claims put back in their boxes quickly.

Hearing a rumour does not make it true. Both Revenue and DEASP involved in monitoring PUP payments and it would be both a foolish employer and employee to be actively defrauding the state, a Rumor generally starts with gossip, I also doubt anyone involved in such behaviour would be advertising that fact.

And just to finish, the Hospitality sector has spent the last few months moaning about staff refusing to return to work, this the very sector who could have retained staff by availing of wage subsidy schemes, but no, they dropped staff like bad habits and now making absurd claims about lack of staff, guess what, they've moved on and I'd doubt they'll ever return.

Swaine · 17-07-2021 3:40pm

https://boards.ie/discussion/comment/117624242#Comment_117624242

Billions upon billions of our tax money is currently been pissed away on a so called deadly virus but you're worried about a lad getting €50 under the table.

Hilarious.

Relax brah · 17-07-2021 4:00pm

https://boards.ie/discussion/comment/117624279#Comment_117624279

It’s not a rumour, I was told by an employee working in the place. They are 20 years of age and being taken advantage of and were told if they did not accept them conditions than they would not have a job to come back to.

Relax brah · 17-07-2021 4:06pm

Well your “senses,” are entirely incorrect.

I have no issue with PUP, a lot of people have been hit badly by this pandemic and they deserve/require help, equally, I acknowledge that pubs have suffered gravely too.

However, taking advantage of employees in this manner is fraud and absolutely wrong.

Ironically, you are the one making assumptions without all of the facts here.

ozmo · 17-07-2021 4:13pm

I received a letter to my house for receipt of pup payments / to a name i did not recognise.

reported it. Someone was using my address.

Dempo1 · 17-07-2021 4:29pm

https://boards.ie/discussion/comment/117624425#Comment_117624425

So assuming and just assuming this 20 year old is a student, he's likely on the lowest rate of PUP @ €203 per week, if he is a student, he loses this on 7th September. Wether they are on pup or not, it's more likely the employer actually cares less and is just paying under the table. PUP has infact actually nothing to do with employers with the one exception whereby they can report an employee on pup for refusing to return to work. Last time I checked, 85 employers did so at a time over 280k were in receipt of the payment, out of that the DEASP found little or no evidence of breaches. The original POST seem to hint at the employee misbehaving, now it's being suggested the employer is, ultimately I'm not doubting some abuses occurring but very, very, very few and this according to the actual Department overseeing the PUP scheme and be under no illusions, thouragh checks including eligibility confirmation ongoing and regular

is_that_so · 17-07-2021 4:49pm

https://boards.ie/discussion/2058199305/abuse-of-the-pup

It is inevitable there'll be some. Report it if you wish but bear in mind a publican's thinking after such a long shutdown. It will all begin to unwind from September/October anyway.

rajqo · 18-07-2021 8:54pm

I got an email saying that I have received a notification from mywelfare stating that someone from welfare will be calling me in a week commencing 19th of july.. Does anyone know what number they're calling from and what they want? I don't pick up random calls as I got many scam calls recently from every kind of Irish phone numbers.. is there a way to call them instead of someone calling me?

Dempo1 · 18-07-2021 10:17pm

https://boards.ie/discussion/comment/117629392#Comment_117629392

At a guess this may be similar to calls made after an announcement on the 26th May that some people would be contacted, offering supports, options if you have lost your job completely, however this was flagged under customer notices on the DEASP website, I don't see any such announcements regarding your notification, have you confirmed eligibility? I don't believe you need to worry it maybe just confirm your employment situation is etc.

The calls made back in early June came from a Dublin number, its highly unlikely DEASP will call from a mobile number and NO you can't call them re this notification.

head82 · 19-07-2021 10:51am

I received a call from a DEASP officer on Tuesday 6th.. from a 087 number (having been previously notified thru MyWelfare.IE that I could expect a call after the 5th July).

I agree, it is a little bizarre DEASP allowing officers use mobiles to make official calls considering peoples reluctance to answer unknown numbers in light of the current wave of spam calls.

The officer I spoke to was a lovely lady. No way pushy at all.

I got the impression she was operating according to script.. informing me of retraining/upskilling options available etc. In fact, she went out of her way to caution me about signing off PUP until I was assured of my return to work as from 7 July I could not reapply and would be reduced to Jobseekers. We even had a little chat about the possibility/threat of another Wave!

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