Corona virus and social protection

Away With The Fairies · 07-03-2020 1:30pm #1

If things get worse, what are our entitlements?

I'm not long in a new job, company expecting a downturn, so I might not have a job in a few weeks if things get worse.

Or what about self-isolating and picking up the virus. You could be out of work for a month.

splinter65 · 07-03-2020 4:34pm

Away With The Fairies wrote: »

If things get worse, what are our entitlements?

I'm not long in a new job, company expecting a downturn, so I might not have a job in a few weeks if things get worse.

Or what about self-isolating and picking up the virus. You could be out of work for a month.

If you’re given a temporary lay off then subject to your PRSI record you might get JSB max payment €203 for a single person. Dependents are means tested.
Not enough PRSI? JSA which is means tested.
If you get sick then it will be illness benefit also PRSI based and €203 and dependents means tested.
Sick and not enough PRSI? SWA from the CWO which is means tested.
If you decide yourself that you are not going to work because you’re afraid that you’re at risk then you will have to talk to SW.

Away With The Fairies · 07-03-2020 4:36pm

splinter65 wrote: »

If you’re given a temporary lay off then subject to your PRSI record you might get JSB max payment €203 for a single person. Dependents are means tested.
Not enough PRSI? JSA which is means tested.
If you get sick then it will be illness benefit also PRSI based and €203 and dependents means tested.
Sick and not enough PRSI? SWA from the CWO which is means tested.
If you decide yourself that you are not going to work because you’re afraid that you’re at risk then you will have to talk to SW.

If someone was to get sick, how are they to take themselves down to the social welfare office spreading the virus more.

Gatling · 07-03-2020 4:42pm

Away With The Fairies wrote: »

If someone was to get sick, how are they to take themselves down to the social welfare office spreading the virus more.

They would be isolated so no visit to any welfare office

splinter65 · 07-03-2020 5:42pm

Away With The Fairies wrote: »

If someone was to get sick, how are they to take themselves down to the social welfare office spreading the virus more.

They get the illness benefit forms in the GP office and send them in the post.

Curlysue76 · 12-03-2020 9:19pm

Just been temporarily laid off today until 29th March at least. Will not be getting anything from employer, I’m in receipt of WFP, will I lose this and have to start a new claim when I return to work.

sticker · 13-03-2020 5:59pm

So to confirm, we would need to visit GP, get disgnosed and then post forms for emergency social welfare?

I thought you just self isolate and are entitled to socail welfare payment?

13-03-2020 6:49pm

I am more concerned will they freeze Bill's and mortgages, not the bank way of coming in and pleading your case, but a government intervention to freeze all mortgage payments. That is my biggest concern, I can survive on 200 a week with no bills

splinter65 · 13-03-2020 7:40pm

sticker wrote: »

So to confirm, we would need to visit GP, get disgnosed and then post forms for emergency social welfare?

I thought you just self isolate and are entitled to socail welfare payment?

You can’t have anything confirmed here.

Kenjataimu · 13-03-2020 8:20pm

Anyone know what forms we have to fill if we have to self isolate for covid and what the procedure is to do it?

I've never been sick long enough from work to know what to do.
I'm half thinking I should have the forms filled in and ready to go, if I'm unlucky enough to catch it.

splinter65 · 13-03-2020 9:58pm

Kenjataimu wrote: »

Anyone know what forms we have to fill if we have to self isolate for covid and what the procedure is to do it?

I've never been sick long enough from work to know what to do.
I'm half thinking I should have the forms filled in and ready to go, if I'm unlucky enough to catch it.

Illness benefit forms are only available at your GPs office.

Irishphotodesk · 14-03-2020 8:54am

Anyone have any advice,

I currently work as a contractor in the courts, but an email last night says courts are going into vacation sittings only, which means... I'm out of the job from Monday.

What do I do? From reading online I can't understand what to do, I'm not sure I qualify for anything, will be getting in touch with welfare office on Monday to seek advice ... I haven't been told to self isolate, my boss hasn't even contacted me with regards the email indicating the courts will be on vacation mode , I got the email from a co-worker.

Lashes28 · 14-03-2020 11:11pm

Curlysue76 wrote: »

Just been temporarily laid off today until 29th March at least. Will not be getting anything from employer, I’m in receipt of WFP, will I lose this and have to start a new claim when I return to work.

Did you get anymore information on this??

Curlysue76 · 14-03-2020 11:53pm

Lashes28 wrote: »

Did you get anymore information on this??

Hi, yeah went into dole office yesterday, going on jsa and they’ll suspend WFP until I can go back to work. Will be on less than half my normal income compared to wages and WFP so hopefully this won’t go on too long,

As long as everyone stays safe that’s the main thing,

Lashes28 · 15-03-2020 12:34am

Thanks I was thinking this would be the case. I'm hoping the government won't close shops,but if they do I am going to be so stuck for money WFP is more than my wages and I'll have neither.

Curlysue76 · 15-03-2020 1:14am

Lashes28 wrote: »

Thanks I was thinking this would be the case. I'm hoping the government won't close shops,but if they do I am going to be so stuck for money WFP is more than my wages and I'll have neither.

I work in a cafe at a museum so we shut on Thursday after announcement was made. The people in dole office were very nice, was a good few people in there on Friday, I doubt there’ll be a lot more next week.

It’s a big drop in income, so suddenly. My week starts on a Wednesday as well so only had 2 days work this week.

kingbhome · 15-03-2020 2:01am

What Happens with the self employed? Are we protected?

eildar · 15-03-2020 5:09am

Came across this on facebook

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2774520279300948&id=100002290105190

sticker · 15-03-2020 10:08am

Agreed - Im self employed also. Do I need to physcailly visit the dole centre?

splinter65 · 15-03-2020 10:18am

sticker wrote: »

Agreed - Im self employed also. Do I need to physcailly visit the dole centre?

If you have symptoms of the corona virus then do not go to your local INTREO Centre, ring your GP instead.
If you don’t have symptoms then yes, you have to go to your local INTREO Centre. Bring photo ID proof of address and 6 months of bank statements.

sticker · 15-03-2020 10:18am

splinter65 wrote: »

If you have symptoms of the corona virus then do not go to your local INTREO Centre, ring your GP instead.
If you don’t have symptoms then yes, you have to go to your local INTREO Centre. Bring photo ID proof of address and 6 months of bank statements.

Thanks

15-03-2020 10:44am

Irishphotodesk wrote: »

Anyone have any advice,

I currently work as a contractor in the courts, but an email last night says courts are going into vacation sittings only, which means... I'm out of the job from Monday.

What do I do? From reading online I can't understand what to do, I'm not sure I qualify for anything, will be getting in touch with welfare office on Monday to seek advice ... I haven't been told to self isolate, my boss hasn't even contacted me with regards the email indicating the courts will be on vacation mode , I got the email from a co-worker.

The ccj is sitting as normal. Can't speak for the rest.

If you haven't recieved anything officially then continue as is. Random mails, WhatsApp messages, etc are just gossip and scaremongering most of the time.

eildar · 15-03-2020 11:36am

My other half was talking to a taxi driver yesterday who went into his social welfare office on Friday. He was told all self employed people will be able to apply online from Monday. Not sure which benefit they apply for though.

drake70 · 15-03-2020 12:07pm

Information can be found here:

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/99104a-covid-19-coronavirus/

previous user · 15-03-2020 2:31pm

I feel anxious about going to the post office and handling cash, would they be paying into bank accounts instead to avoid public gatherings in post offices instead.

Curlysue76 · 15-03-2020 2:42pm

previous user wrote: »

I feel anxious about going to the post office and handling cash, would they be paying into bank accounts instead to avoid public gatherings in post offices instead.

I asked this when I had to go in on Friday. I have asthma and said I wasn’t comfortable going into PO. Lady said it should be ok to get it into bank account and to fill out bank details on the form. I have to go in tomorrow morning with filled out form and bank statements, I’ll ask again to be certain.

previous user · 15-03-2020 4:37pm

Curlysue76 wrote: »

I asked this when I had to go in on Friday. I have asthma and said I wasn’t comfortable going into PO. Lady said it should be ok to get it into bank account and to fill out bank details on the form. I have to go in tomorrow morning with filled out form and bank statements, I’ll ask again to be certain.

That's good, I'm glad for you, this is not good though they should be more organised then this, I'm 43 and I heard cases of people in their 30s and 40s dying from this virus.

sheepsh4gger · 15-03-2020 8:47pm

splinter65 wrote: »

If you’re given a temporary lay off then subject to your PRSI record you might get JSB max payment €203 for a single person. Dependents are means tested.
Not enough PRSI? JSA which is means tested.
If you get sick then it will be illness benefit also PRSI based and €203 and dependents means tested.
Sick and not enough PRSI? SWA from the CWO which is means tested.
If you decide yourself that you are not going to work because you’re afraid that you’re at risk then you will have to talk to SW.

Yeah amazing. My paranoid boss just laid off the whole company until further notice.

So I went to the new welfare website and tried to apply but they say 'you need to visit a local Intreo center to verify your phone number'.

Amazing, so now I have to join a line of people to apply which defeats the point of social distancing.

Or are these Intreo centers now closed?

Lashes28 · 15-03-2020 9:24pm

sheepsh4gger wrote: »

Yeah amazing. My paranoid boss just laid off the whole company until further notice.

So I went to the new welfare website and tried to apply but they say 'you need to visit a local Intreo center to verify your phone number'.

Amazing, so now I have to join a line of people to apply which defeats the point of social distancing.

Or are these Intreo centers now closed?

I can't even get on to the website

splinter65 · 15-03-2020 9:30pm

sheepsh4gger wrote: »

Yeah amazing. My paranoid boss just laid off the whole company until further notice.

So I went to the new welfare website and tried to apply but they say 'you need to visit a local Intreo center to verify your phone number'.

Amazing, so now I have to join a line of people to apply which defeats the point of social distancing.

Or are these Intreo centers now closed?

If you want to apply for Jobseekers then you have to present yourself at the Intreo Centre.
Please remember that the staff in the Centres are not to blame for you being laid off, and that they don’t make the rules.
No, they’re not closed.
It’s amazing.

Lashes28 · 15-03-2020 9:41pm

splinter65 wrote: »

If you want to apply for Jobseekers then you have to present yourself at the Intreo Centre.
Please remember that the staff in the Centres are not to blame for you being laid off, and that they don’t make the rules.
No, they’re not closed.
It’s amazing.

Can you not apply online. I'm trying to sort it out for my dad.

Irish_peppa · 15-03-2020 10:11pm

Why dont they make all social welfare payments via banking online instead of queing in post office for next few weeks or until further notice?

I have to collect my JSA next week from post office and those post office ques will only be getting longer and standing inline in a cramp post office with people possibly with the virus is scary :eek:

Necro · 15-03-2020 10:22pm

Irish_peppa wrote:

Why dont they make all social welfare payments via banking online instead of queing in post office for next few weeks or until further notice? I have to collect my JSA next week from post office and those post office ques will only be getting longer and standing inline in a cramp post office with people possibly with the virus is scary

You are now able to get your Jobseekers payment into your bank account.

Contact your local office in the morning and ask for the form to be sent out to you.

Irish_peppa · 15-03-2020 10:25pm

Necro wrote: »

You are now able to get your Jobseekers payment into your bank account.

Contact your local office in the morning and ask for the form to be sent out to you.

Really is that a new thing? I asked last week in post office they said getting paid into bank was not allowable for JSA only Illness benefit and JSB but not JSA

sheepsh4gger · 15-03-2020 10:34pm

Lashes28 wrote: »

Can you not apply online. I'm trying to sort it out for my dad.

I wonder if I can wait for this to pass and then collect my money in April? Will they know that 2 weeks weren't paid?

sheepsh4gger · 15-03-2020 10:38pm

Leo Varadkar just gave employers carte blanche to screw over their workers. I knew there will be unintended consequences.

Lashes28 · 15-03-2020 10:45pm

sheepsh4gger wrote: »

I wonder if I can wait for this to pass and then collect my money in April? Will they know that 2 weeks weren't paid?

Why wait?? Got sorted on the my gov website for him. Was really slow to load the pages but thats because they probably have a high volume.

So strange they are recommending to claim jobseekers when nobody will be actively looking for a job. They will be just waiting for the pubs to open back up.

Necro · 15-03-2020 10:48pm

Irish_peppa wrote:

Really is that a new thing? I asked last week in post office they said getting paid into bank was not allowable for JSA only Illness benefit and JSB but not JSA

No it's for all now, post office wouldnt have up to date info.

Tbf to them though the circular was only released on Thursday I think

sheepsh4gger · 15-03-2020 11:04pm

Lashes28 wrote: »

Why wait?? Got sorted on the my gov website for him. Was really slow to load the pages but thats because they probably have a high volume.

So strange they are recommending to claim jobseekers when nobody will be actively looking for a job. They will be just waiting for the pubs to open back up.

Leo said not to gather to avoid spreading the virus.
I can't use the website because it's telling me I need to visit an Intreo center to verify my number (haven't been unemployed for many years).

Necro · 15-03-2020 11:10pm

sheepsh4gger wrote:

Leo said not to gather to avoid spreading the virus. I can't use the website because it's telling me I need to visit an Intreo center to verify my number (haven't been unemployed for many years).

Call your local office in the morning and get them to post you the forms maybe?

They are accommodating this more now given the current situation.

Gloomtastic! · 15-03-2020 11:16pm

“ If you’re given a temporary lay off then subject to your PRSI record”

If you’ve just received your PPS number because you are new to working in Ireland. How does this affect you?

Asking for someone, who’s just moved here a couple of months ago, from Italy......

Necro · 15-03-2020 11:26pm

Gloomtastic! wrote: »

“ If you’re given a temporary lay off then subject to your PRSI record”

If you’ve just received your PPS number because you are new to working in Ireland. How does this affect you?

Asking for someone, who’s just moved here a couple of months ago, from Italy......

Likely it would be Jobseekers Allowance they would be applying for in this case as they base it on their social insurance record from I think 2018 for 2020. Not sure with Jobseekers do they take into account working in other EU countries off the top of my head.

Jobseekers Benefit is based on PRSI (social insurance record)

If you didn't qualify for that theyd then assess them for Jobseekers Allowance.

Jobseekers Allowance is means tested so PRSI wouldnt come into it.

previous user · 16-03-2020 12:23am

Lashes28 wrote: »

I can't even get on to the website

Man that's crazy

Irish_peppa · 16-03-2020 8:38am

Necro wrote: »

You are now able to get your Jobseekers payment into your bank account.

Contact your local office in the morning and ask for the form to be sent out to you.

An Post will allow a proxy to pick up social welfare payments on behalf of people who cannot venture out because of the coronavirus.
In the event of a customer not being able to collect their Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection payments personally at the post office, a nominated person (temporary agent) can be nominated to collect the payment on their behalf.
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/an-post-to-allow-temporary-agents-to-pick-up-welfare-payments-1.4203470

sticker · 16-03-2020 9:31am

I have an appointment on Friday in Blanch Social Welfare Office. I do not have a PSC.

Has recent changes last night meant I can claim for support online? If so, whats the link> I cant seem to find it.

Necro · 16-03-2020 9:56am

sticker wrote:

Has recent changes last night meant I can claim for support online? If so, whats the link> I cant seem to find it.

There is going to be a press release from the Department today and it will be announced in the papers for people to avoid local offices unless absolutely necessary

There are going to be shortened Jobseekers claim forms available online in the coming days as well.

sticker · 16-03-2020 9:57am

Necro wrote: »

There is going to be a press release from the Department today and it will be announced in the papers for people to avoid local offices unless absolutely necessary

There are going to be shortened Jobseekers claim forms available online in the coming days as well.

Thanks - What website is best to check for updates?

previous user · 16-03-2020 10:09am

Irish_peppa wrote: »

An Post will allow a proxy to pick up social welfare payments on behalf of people who cannot venture out because of the coronavirus.
In the event of a customer not being able to collect their Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection payments personally at the post office, a nominated person (temporary agent) can be nominated to collect the payment on their behalf.
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/an-post-to-allow-temporary-agents-to-pick-up-welfare-payments-1.4203470

Yes but and I think this is relevant, post offices have large crowds of people, would that not be a place where people would catch the Corona Virus from someone and pass it onto a half dozen people in the same room?

Necro · 16-03-2020 10:50am

sticker wrote:

Thanks - What website is best to check for updates?

Gov.ie is the best place to keep up to date imo.

Curlysue76 · 16-03-2020 11:19am

Was in at my local SW office just this morning. Was there 45 mins before they opened, by time they’d opened about 100 there.

They were only letting in 10 people at a time and then letting one out one in. They gave us a form to fill out for an emergency payment. The first 10 in were allowed to fill it out in there but they said they would just hand it out to everyone else and they can drop it into post box later.

The security guy said they would ‘not entertain anyone coughing, they would have to do it online’. They all looked overwhelmed to be honest. It’s going to be a very busy time for them.

HTH anyone going down today, wrap up, be ready for a long wait outside.

redunited · 16-03-2020 11:20am

Been laid off, cant go to a social welfare office keep away im told.
Cant use online because they need to verify my mobile number which must be done at a social welfare office.
Cant get a mortgage holiday because I have no proof of a social welfare claim.

Bascially im stuffed because nobody in govemrent or the banks have prepared despite telling us they have prepared.

Corona virus and social protection

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