TUS Programme

badker wrote: »

I am due to finish Tus at end August. Do you go straight back on job seekers or do you have to reapply?

Also letter came for renewal of medical card. Does getting the €208 mean you lose it?

I'd have an appointment set up for you with the local office on the Monday immediately following your Friday finish date on Tus. I would have issued you with the appropriate paperwork ans assisted you completing it ( just 2 forms ). You would go directly to a prearranged hatch on the day - no queuing with general population. For those who enjoyed the placement, but unfortunately found no work to avoid signing back on, it's the worse day they have had in long time so we try to make the transition back to DSP payment as painless as possible.

Balagan

badker wrote: »

I am due to finish Tus at end August. Do you go straight back on job seekers or do you have to reapply?

Also letter came for renewal of medical card. Does getting the €208 mean you lose it?

No, the additional top-up amounts paid in respect of Tús, CE Schemes and JobBridge are not taken into consideration for Medical Card means assessments.

I'm employed. My wife is on the Tus Scheme. I lose my job and go on Jobseekers Benefit - Can I claim for her as an adult dependent?

The rules state that you can claim an increase for a QA on the basis they are not getting a payment from the department in their own right.

myshirt wrote: »

I'm employed. My wife is on the Tus Scheme. I lose my job and go on Jobseekers Benefit - Can I claim for her as an adult dependent?

The rules state that you can claim an increase for a QA on the basis they are not getting a payment from the department in their own right.

She's not a QA, as she is getting a payment herself, her TUS payment.

[Deleted User] wrote: »

She's not a QA, as she is getting a payment herself, her TUS payment.

But if she was working outside the Tus scheme (for same money) you would get a payment for her?

myshirt wrote: »

But if she was working outside the Tus scheme (for same money) you would get a payment for her?

If she was in employment that earned her between €100 and €300 a week, I think you would get a reduced rate. However, I don't think TUS, CE Schemes etc are classed as employment.

[Deleted User] wrote: »

If she was in employment that earned her between €100 and €300 a week, I think you would get a reduced rate. However, I don't think TUS, CE Schemes etc are classed as employment.

I think I agree with your assessment.

Here's an example for you guys:

Mick and Mary are on JA, seperate claims.
Mick gets the 188 and Mary gets the 124.
( max 312 per wk assuming no kids )
Mary gets called for Tus and goes to 208
Mick then claims for Mary on his claim
Mick goes to 312 less means
Means calculates at 208. (Tus wage ) less 60 and take 60% of the balance
Means is 89
Take this from Micks 312 ( leaves a bal of 233 )
So the household is up 119 per wk for Mary going onto Tus.

Krimson

Just got a letter from TUS and was wondering if anyone might be able to help with some info!

It seems that I may not be eligible as one of the requirements is to have been receiving Jobseekers for at least 12 months - I just finished a degree so I was getting BTEA until two months ago. I would rather not be forced onto this scheme as I can't imagine anything offered would have anything to do with a degree in musicology. Can I use the 12 month requirement to avoid placement?

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

Krimson

Fred Swanson wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Darn it. I intend to begin a masters in September, should I tell them this?

Krimson wrote: »

Darn it. I intend to begin a masters in September, should I tell them this?

Yes. If you have something in the pipeline, they'll let you finish it off.

myshirt wrote: »

But if she was working outside the Tus scheme (for same money) you would get a payment for her?

Found this on Citizens Advice page http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/unemployment_and_redundancy/employment_support_schemes/tus.html

"Jobseeker's Allowance and Tús: If you get a place on a Tús scheme and your spouse or partner is claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JA) in their own right, he/she can claim an Increase for a Qualified Adult with their JA. Your income from the Tús scheme (as a single person) is then assessed as insurable employment against their JA payment.

Participants will retain any extra benefits and the medical card provided they are still eligible."

fgob

Fred Swanson wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

I have a criminal record and they cleared me

Static_Jak

So do we have 4 weeks holidays in total?

And do we just let our employer know or do we have to get in contact with TUS when we take any holidays?

jos22

Static_Jak wrote: »

So do we have 4 weeks holidays in total?

And do we just let our employer know or do we have to get in contact with TUS when we take any holidays?

you get 10. 5 days I think. which if taken all together = 1 month off

You should have a time-sheet that you fill out and get your employer to sign.

on that sheet then you just mark off holidays and your employer will sign it. then just hand in the time sheets to your Tus supervisor at some stage. I often wait till I have a month worth of sheets before dropping them back

rsole1 wrote: »

What is your job, and how much is the salary?

I am working in a social needs capacity and my salary is my business. I started Tus in May 2013 after being severely depressed about having no job, not to mention self worth. I was offered this placement, grabbed it with both hands and give it 100%, I even volunteered for various projects under its subsidiary. I loved the position and was dreading having to finish back in may of this year, so I was delighted to be offered a position. It was part time at first and now its full time.

I'm quite upset that I am accused of being from Tus just because I praised the scheme, look back over all my posts regarding this thread and you will see that I was a genuine tus employee

cee_jay

I have deleted quite a few trolling posts - if you have an issue with a post, report it. Please do not rise to the trolls

Rainbow_Bright

Hello,

I got letters "inviting" me to apply for Tus & Gateway programmes. Lots of info in this thread but I'm curious about the schemes as someone on here said that they're very different. How? Is one better than the other? Do I have to apply for both or can I just choose one? Both 19.5 hrs so that's grand but I'd like to know more as both citizens advice and SW sites are quite generic . I'd like real info from people who've been there! I'd like to get back to work so this could b perfect for me and the gap on my cv.

Thanks

Treehorn2077

I got a letter today from the social welfare "asking" if I'd be interested in going on a TUS scheme, seeing as I'd never heard of it before I did some research, which lead me here. Been reading some of the comments and posts by people who have been on it and there are quite a lot of mixed results, that I can see.

A few things did strike me as I read through the comments some people posted. Firstly some people seem to think that losing their job and being on the dole is some kind of social stigma, and go on to say how wonderful it is to get their "dignity" back. Since when did losing a job rob you of your dignity? I for one have no problem with my dignity or self confidence or anything of that nature and I'm just as unemployed as these people. It really says a lot about their view of themselves in society if all they measure a person by is the job they hold.

The second thing I noticed, and I'm not alone in pointing this out, is the number of glowing reviews of TUS placements by some people on here. Now before I get accused of anything, I'd like to point out that I've no doubt that some people are genuine in their positive experiences of TUS and their posts here. However, I do feel like some of "glowing" reviews are just a tad too good to be true, and feel a little fake to me.
Almost as if someone under the employ of a certain Government Department or youth wing of a certain party were writing them under the guise of a partisipant.

I personally feel this is another cynical scam, just like job-bridge, albeit with 30 euros less than that each week. A source of unlimited free labour for companies, to exploit the unemployed into filling, under threat of getting their money cut off. It remains to be seen however how my own suitation will pan out. Obviously I have to accept this "offer" if I am to keep my JA payment, my concern is that I will be put into a suitation where I will get nothing out of this, in terms of training, experience, etc. And simply find myself right back where I started 12 months from now.

I do have a few questions for Galway based people who were on the TUS scheme:

1) What range of jobs were you offered?
2) Were they mostly city or rural based? I ask because I have to rely on public transport
3) Was your experience positive or negative?
4) Did you have any issues signing back onto JA afterwards?

Thanks in advance for your help

Arquinsiel

Treehorn2077 wrote: »

I got a letter today from the social welfare "asking" if I'd be interested in going on a TUS scheme, seeing as I'd never heard of it before I did some research, which lead me here. Been reading some of the comments and posts by people who have been on it and there are quite a lot of mixed results, that I can see.

A few things did strike me as I read through the comments some people posted. Firstly some people seem to think that losing their job and being on the dole is some kind of social stigma, and go on to say how wonderful it is to get their "dignity" back. Since when did losing a job rob you of your dignity? I for one have no problem with my dignity or self confidence or anything of that nature and I'm just as unemployed as these people. It really says a lot about their view of themselves in society if all they measure a person by is the job they hold.

The second thing I noticed, and I'm not alone in pointing this out, is the number of glowing reviews of TUS placements by some people on here. Now before I get accused of anything, I'd like to point out that I've no doubt that some people are genuine in their positive experiences of TUS and their posts here. However, I do feel like some of "glowing" reviews are just a tad too good to be true, and feel a little fake to me.
Almost as if someone under the employ of a certain Government Department or youth wing of a certain party were writing them under the guise of a partisipant.

I personally feel this is another cynical scam, just like job-bridge, albeit with 30 euros less than that each week. A source of unlimited free labour for companies, to exploit the unemployed into filling, under threat of getting their money cut off. It remains to be seen however how my own suitation will pan out. Obviously I have to accept this "offer" if I am to keep my JA payment, my concern is that I will be put into a suitation where I will get nothing out of this, in terms of training, experience, etc. And simply find myself right back where I started 12 months from now.

I do have a few questions for Galway based people who were on the TUS scheme:

1) What range of jobs were you offered?
2) Were they mostly city or rural based? I ask because I have to rely on public transport
3) Was your experience positive or negative?
4) Did you have any issues signing back onto JA afterwards?

Thanks in advance for your help

I got my letter a couple of months back, found this thread, googled around a bit, checked the relevant laws and decided that I'd just write back and politely decline to sign up citing multiple interviews and the like I had coming up that month. I can quote chapter and verse of why they can't make me if it became necessary to do so, but so far I haven't heard a peep, and my Jobseeker's Allowance hasn't been cut, so I haven't had to go kick up a fuss. Your mileage may vary, attempt at your own risk, I am not a qualified legal professional etc etc.

Treehorn2077, I don't see the issue?

You are long term unemployed, the state have been paying you during that period, you haven't found a job unfortunately, and here is an opportunity for you.

There is no scam. No one out to get you.

Totally agree, I felt a lot better being on the dole when I was actually doing something to earn it.

And as for the "dignity" issue addressed by Treehorn - When I said that it gave me my dignity back, I meant it in terms of how my teenage son sees me, nothing to do with my job, I am not defined by that, but I do define myself by how I utilise my time.

I was able to work with no constraints and I wanted him to see that, instead of having him view me as a person who sits on the couch watching TV all day. That might be ok for other people but not for me.

Deleted User wrote: »

I was able to work with no constraints and I wanted him to see that, instead of having him view me as a person who sits on the couch watching TV all day. That might be ok for other people but not for me.

An unfortunate reality, I'm afraid.

Pixie326

I'm currently on a Tus placement and thought I'd share my experience

Firstly I got the letter asking me to sign up for it back in September 2013 and had an Interview in November explaining TUS and then spent 30 minutes with the interviewer going over the types of jobs they had available

I was also told by the interviewer that if your offered 3 jobs and take none of them then you will be considered unable to work and your money will be cut ( I only mention this because I didn't see it anywhere else in the thread)

I got contacted in January from my Tus Leader ( person who finds your placement) offering me a placement and I refused to take it

I was contacted again in February and offered something more suitable so I took it and started a week later

There are other people on TUS working here and the majority of them had positive experiences and are happy to have been asked to participate but there are some of them show up and do the minimum and complain the whole time about how it's slave labor like others on the thread have

I think it's all about the attitude you go in with

It's work experience and something too add to your CV if nothing else and it's only 12 months so if you end up back where you started there's no harm done

5 of the last 6 people in the same placement as me have gone on to get full time jobs through the placement and contacts they made while they worked here and I have heard stories similar in some other placements

I've never been treated badly or anything like that and the majority of people who work here made an effort to get to know me and to get me involved in work outings and activities

This is just my experience I know not everyone has had a good experience with them and maybe it's just the luck of the draw where you get placed and how your experience will be but I'm enjoying mine and I'm glad to be doing it

Treehorn2077

Firstly thanks to those who replied to my questions, much appreciated.

Out of curousity Arquinsiel, what did they say when you refused to sign up? You mentioned interviews you had coming up, did they see that as a proper reason not to stop your payments? I ask because if I get a job between now and when/if I start this scheme, I'm taking it.

@Myshirt:
I'm well aware I was picked at random and that "no one is out to get me", paranoia is not something I suffer from. My issue however is being forced into doing 20 hours a week of free labour, for little over 1 euro an hour, under threat of having my JA cut if I refuse. Don't get me wrong I'd take a decent paid job right now if it was offered, but realistically my chances of getting anything permanent from this scheme seem pretty slim. Quite simply, why would any employer hire me at minimum wage when he can dump me after my 12 months are up and replace me with another person fresh on the scheme? Business isn't my strong point, but I know all about saving money and cutting costs.

@fiestywonder
Your discription of people on the dole as those "who sit around all day watching TV" is both naive and offensive. I've faced that same judgemental and narrowminded point of view from people when I was first made unemployed. Things like "you must be so bored" or "how do you fill the time" really annoy me. Sure there are those who choose to sit on their arse all day, but I'M NOT ONE OF THEM! The fact is I've been filling my time as much as I can, I'm out of the house most of the day, rarely watch TV, and have been attending various courses since I started on the dole. It's how you choose to use your time on the dole that matters, I chose to use it wisely. Prehaps you wouldn't have lost your dignity if you didn't sit around all day watching tv and acutally did something with your time.

@Pixie326
thanks for the input Pixie. Can I ask, what kind of placements did they offer you?
It may have been that those you found doing the minimum and complaining, may have got a worse job than you. I'd imagine not all involved are going to be placed where they'ed like to be.
It's been my experience lately that work experience counts for **** on your CV, as most of the time they never bother to read them. I have the skills and experience, but when an unpaid intern is filling that position for nothing, why would an employer pay to hire me? All the experience in the world can't match free labour.
You sound quite fortunate in your placement, I hope I'll be as lucky.

Treehorn2077 wrote: »

Firstly thanks to those who replied to my questions, much appreciated.

@fiestywonder
Your discription of people on the dole as those "who sit around all day watching TV" is both naive and offensive. I've faced that same judgemental and narrowminded point of view from people when I was first made unemployed. Things like "you must be so bored" or "how do you fill the time" really annoy me. Sure there are those who choose to sit on their arse all day, but I'M NOT ONE OF THEM! The fact is I've been filling my time as much as I can, I'm out of the house most of the day, rarely watch TV, and have been attending various courses since I started on the dole. It's how you choose to use your time on the dole that matters, I chose to use it wisely. Prehaps you wouldn't have lost your dignity if you didn't sit around all day watching tv and acutally did something with your time.

.

for a start I have NEVER EVER judged, looked down on, condescended etc etc on anyone on the dole. If you look back on any of my posts you will see this. I was on the dole long enough for it to absolutely kill my confidence and it took me an awful long time to get that back.

I was extremely depressed and had zero self worth. The point that you are taking up wrong is I was defending the use of the word "DIGNITY" (which you found fault with) in regards to being placed on a tus scheme - where I didn't have to continue on receiving the dole for nothing and that I don not apologise for stating that it gave me my dignity back. As I said I am not defined by my position but by my use of time. I never generalised about other people welfare watching TV all day,I didn't want it for me. I said I did not want my son, at an impressionable time of his life, to see that I had no work ethic - because it was through no fault of my own that I was made redundant.

I jumped at the chance to take this placement and only saw the positives. I would never judge anyone - I was there long enough. I once heard a man on TV say that people on the dole are "excluded from life" - That's how I felt for too long
Tus may seem like forced labour to you, but it was a stepping stone to getting my confidence and DIGNITY back for me

Treehorn2077

You won't be working for €1 an hour. You will be working for €10.40 an hour (208/20 = €10.40). That is very good money when despite searching morning, noon, and night 7 days a week for over a year, you couldn't find a job. It's a great opportunity in that respect, and secure for 12 months. I say grab it.

Secondly, no one is forcing you. This is not Nazi Germany. If you get a job elsewhere, you can leave Tus. Though my advice would be to stay on, given the state helped you with this job, and also were there for you with money for over a year while you had no job. It's a social utility type thing if you like, giving back to the community.

But if you got a job elsewhere, that'd be great. You wouldn't be shackled to Tus.