Covid 19 PUP - Self-Employed only

Dempo1 · 17-08-2020 7:08pm

ATC110 wrote: »

I saw that article and it does seem bizarre that so many would not have confirmed

If its true and I doubt it, the only thing I can think of is people who've left country, but even they would still have access and be able to check notifications.

17-08-2020 7:11pm

Snow_White1987 wrote: »

I don’t have access to that part on welfare.ie as I’m still waiting in my Public Services Card but even though I confirmed eligibility back in July (it also says in my inbox on welfare.ie that I confirmed it), it does make me slightly nervous...

Look at this: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/almost-28-000-lose-eligibility-for-pandemic-unemployment-payment-1.4332440?mode=amp

Surely that many couldn’t have left confirming at the risk of their claims closing? I’m just hoping they haven’t closed random accounts unnecessarily!

I have the same account and received this as confirmation.

17-08-2020 7:12pm

Dempo1 wrote: »

If its true and I doubt it, the only thing I can think of is people who've left country, but even they would still have access and be able to check notifications.

Spot on, that's all it really could be.

17-08-2020 7:13pm

Dempo1 wrote: »

If its true and I doubt it, the only thing I can think of is people who've left country, but even they would still have access and be able to check notifications.

You would think though, with the whole hooha about SW inspectors at the airport, that they would know they have left.

Dempo1 · 17-08-2020 7:24pm

64869923 wrote: »

I have the same account and received this as confirmation.

All good there

Dempo1 · 17-08-2020 7:25pm

64869923 wrote: »

You would think though, with the whole hooha about SW inspectors at the airport, that they would know they have left.

Good point, it's just very odd really, 28k, just beyond credible me thinks

Snow_White1987 · 17-08-2020 7:27pm

Dempo1 wrote: »

O, didn't realise basic accounts don't have access full access, but you can see approved? and see your messages?, you'll be fine, I recall we posted about that. Can you see payment history? Honestly don't worry, once you have to message conf you confirmed, all good

Can’t see anything accept messages which is very annoying so every week in slightly sick waiting for the payment to come through!

Dempo1 · 17-08-2020 7:28pm

Snow_White1987 wrote: »

Can’t see anything accept messages which is very annoying so every week in slightly sick waiting for the payment to come through!

Just curious, can you not see any payment history at all?

17-08-2020 7:29pm

Dempo1 wrote: »

Good point, it's just very odd really, 28k, just beyond credible me thinks

They will be raiding the UCD physiotherapy course because they're going to need some amount of people to massage that figure.

17-08-2020 7:30pm

Dempo1 wrote: »

Just curious, can you not see any payment history at all?

I can't as I have the basic account as well.

17-08-2020 7:35pm

Snow_White1987 wrote: »

Can’t see anything accept messages which is very annoying so every week in slightly sick waiting for the payment to come through!

SnowWhite did you get that notification I posted? If you did it should be listed in the notification dropdown in the top right hand corner after the mywelfare.ie login.

Dempo1 · 17-08-2020 7:37pm

64869923 wrote: »

I can't as I have the basic account as well.

So on basic accounts, once logged in you don't have facilities to check payment history?

Even if you click the pop down menu under your name?, just surprised. I have the full account but even with this, my welfare is a seperate portal.

Dempo1 · 17-08-2020 7:39pm

64869923 wrote: »

They will be raiding the UCD physiotherapy course because they're going to need some amount of people to massage that figure.

LOL

but nothing would surprise me at this stage

17-08-2020 7:50pm

Dempo1 wrote: »

So on basic accounts, once logged in you don't have facilities to check payment history?

Even if you click the pop down menu under your name?, just surprised. I have the full account but even with this, my welfare is a seperate portal.

So mygov and mywelfare are separate portals. With the basic account, this is true for me at least, when you login on the mygov account there's nothing except the dropdown under your name, with a prompt to apply for the verified account, change password and logout, below that are links to the other portals.

On mywelfare the dropdown menu has view account, which loops to a verify account page, change password and logout, with notifications in a box below the dropdown, and that's pretty much it.

Dempo1 · 17-08-2020 7:54pm

64869923 wrote: »

So mygov and mywelfare are separate portals. With the basic account, this is true for me at least, when you login on the mygov account there's nothing except the dropdown under your name, with a prompt to apply for the verified account, change password and logout, below that are links to the other portals.

On mywelfare the dropdown menu has view account, which loops to a verify account page, change password and logout, with notifications in a box below the dropdown, and that's pretty much it.

Ah, I see, really odd that, if anything it helps track payments etc, I can also check weekly to see if payment coming etc, usually check on a sat.

The main thing for now is everyone has confirmed eligibility, I took screenshot of the message confirming just in case.

amd1982 · 17-08-2020 9:35pm

So just checked account and back to the higher rate of €350 and the 6 weeks arrears are in my account. No contact from PUP rerate ...

Hope everyone else is sorted soon

Dempo1 · 17-08-2020 9:41pm

amd1982 wrote: »

So just checked account and back to the higher rate of €350 and the 6 weeks arrears are in my account. No contact from PUP rerate ...

Hope everyone else is sorted soon

Well done, delighted for you, great result

Snow_White1987 · 17-08-2020 10:31pm

Dempo1 wrote: »

Just curious, can you not see any payment history at all?

Nope!

Snow_White1987 · 17-08-2020 10:32pm

64869923 wrote: »

I have the same account and received this as confirmation.

This is the exact same for me.

WhatNext? · 18-08-2020 12:07pm

Hi all, just looking for some advice!

Fairly new to being self employed, in fact I was working as an employee (PAYE) all year, and this stopped in June (when I switched over to self employment). So this is my first year.

I have not yet registered as self employed. Will this affect me if my current business is affected by COVID? For example, will I be able to apply for the PUP? I haven't paid any tax yet on my self employed earnings, since i imagine they're due next year. Will I be put on the lower PUP rate because of this?

My concern is that it'll look like I haven't worked since June (PAYE) on their system, even though I began trading as self employed following this, and I haven't stopped since. I'm worried they will count me as ineglible for the PUP as I am not in employment.

Any advice will be appreciated!

Dempo1 · 18-08-2020 12:15pm

WhatNext? wrote: »

Hi all, just looking for some advice!

Fairly new to being self employed, in fact I was working as an employee (PAYE) all year, and this stopped in June (when I switched over to self employment). So this is my first year.

I have not yet registered as self employed. Will this affect me if my current business is affected by COVID? For example, will I be able to apply for the PUP? I haven't paid any tax yet on my self employed earnings, since i imagine they're due next year. Will I be put on the lower PUP rate because of this?

My concern is that it'll look like I haven't worked since June (PAYE) on their system, even though I began trading as self employed following this, and I haven't stopped since. I'm worried they will count me as ineglible for the PUP as I am not in employment.

Any advice will be appreciated!

Really difficult one to advise on. Firstly my guess would be registering as self employed for PUP purposes would definitely mean lower payment as initially they were working off 2018 returns but ammended this to allow 2019, both you won't have.

Even though your now self employed, you mention you've not registered, if this is the case and your last PAYE employment was June, they are working off earnings from Jan/Feb 2020 so I'm going to suggest, register as an employee (others may have differing advice), I suggest this as PUP was for those employed prior to March 2020,cwhich you were. When applying, you will be asked for your employers details, just name etc.

If this is not an option, you would have to go the JSA route which is cumbersome and means tested.

The above my humble opinion

18-08-2020 1:53pm

So I signed up for the DEASP verified account, it's very good. Really handy to see everything laid out in before me.

Dempo1 · 18-08-2020 1:54pm

64869923 wrote: »

So I signed up for the DEASP verified account, it's very good. Really handy to see everything laid out in before me.

Great, makes it a little easier to see payments etc

18-08-2020 3:55pm

Dempo1 wrote: »

Great, makes it a little easier to see payments etc

Does the next payment you're to receive appear a few days beforehand or is it the night before or even after this?

Dempo1 · 18-08-2020 4:04pm

64869923 wrote: »

Does the next payment you're to receive appear a few days beforehand or is it the night before or even after this?

I normally check on Saturday mornings and it's updated there, for example it should show payment 11th August at the moment, next sat it will be 18th if that makes sense, being paid a week in arrears

WhatNext? · 18-08-2020 7:44pm

Dempo1 wrote: »

Really difficult one to advise on. Firstly my guess would be registering as self employed for PUP purposes would definitely mean lower payment as initially they were working off 2018 returns but ammended this to allow 2019, both you won't have.

Even though your now self employed, you mention you've not registered, if this is the case and your last PAYE employment was June, they are working off earnings from Jan/Feb 2020 so I'm going to suggest, register as an employee (others may have differing advice), I suggest this as PUP was for those employed prior to March 2020,cwhich you were. When applying, you will be asked for your employers details, just name etc.

If this is not an option, you would have to go the JSA route which is cumbersome and means tested.

The above my humble opinion

Thanks ever so much for your suggestion, what you've said makes a lot of sense!

Dempo1 · 18-08-2020 7:50pm

WhatNext? wrote: »

Thanks ever so much for your suggestion, what you've said makes a lot of sense!

I used to be a counsellor but I'm OK now

your welcome, its the best I can think of, good luck

ttoppcat · 07-09-2020 10:15am

Just wondering are there many still waiting to be put back on the higher rate? I'm 3 weeks with no word and not feeling hopeful.

mallowgarry · 07-09-2020 10:59am

ttoppcat wrote: »

Just wondering are there many still waiting to be put back on the higher rate? I'm 3 weeks with no word and not feeling hopeful.

Eight weeks and waiting. Tried to call DEASP in Waterford, was told they are not accepting phonecalls.

As per Government Ombudsman, you have to exhaust all avenues of appeals (or an excessive delay) before they will get involved. Emails don't seem to hold much water with them, so

You need to send a formal appeal in writing to:

Covid 19 Unemployment Payments Appeals
PO Box 12896
Dublin 1

If you don't get any satisfaction there, then you can get the Ombudsman involved.

I wrote in three weeks ago and will be referring it back to the Ombudsman in a few days

Dempo1 · 07-09-2020 12:08pm

Sorry this still hasn't been resolved, just extraordinary. I'm wondering what's going to happen after the 17th September with Rates reducing, is it going to be another round of paperwork etc. I've seen no reporting on how rate reductions will affect self employed.

ttoppcat · 07-09-2020 1:02pm

Damn 8 weeks!! That's not good. Between this and the 14 weeks I had to battle to get the JS self employed payment at the beginning, I'm really getting the feeling that the self employed are being royally shafted. It's very frustrating as I had clearly outlined several times that mistakes had been made while calculating my 2018 income and flagged this when applying for the covid payment. These warnings were duly ignored and everyone in the dept tells you about the "backlog" and overwhelming numbers. Perhaps if they actually listened to the applicant they wouldn't be wasting resources and time in the first place. Sorry, just needed to rant. I'm grateful for the 200 but the unfairness of how we are being treated really upsets me

Dempo1 · 07-09-2020 1:10pm

ttoppcat wrote: »

Damn 8 weeks!! That's not good. Between this and the 14 weeks I had to battle to get the JS self employed payment at the beginning, I'm really getting the feeling that the self employed are being royally shafted. It's very frustrating as I had clearly outlined several times that mistakes had been made while calculating my 2018 income and flagged this when applying for the covid payment. These warnings were duly ignored and everyone in the dept tells you about the "backlog" and overwhelming numbers. Perhaps if they actually listened to the applicant they wouldn't be wasting resources and time in the first place. Sorry, just needed to rant. I'm grateful for the 200 but the unfairness of how we are being treated really upsets me

Whatever about over whelming numbers originally numbers have come way down and there's no reasonable excuse to justify delays and lack of communication. On another thread, SW were quick to stop payments to people who had claimed credits prior to lockdown, absolutely no warning, a mistake was accepted pretty quickly and payments restored fully within a few days.

ttoppcat · 07-09-2020 1:28pm

You're right, there is no excuse at this stage

cd76 · 11-09-2020 1:26pm

Hello,

- I am self employed (employee of my own limited company) and applied for the PUP payment on July 1st.
- Like other Self employed people I got rejected on the basis of apparently not having the correct PRSI contributions.
- I checked all of this and I had the relevant contributions. I appealed to PUPReRate@welfare.ie and after chasing it via email and on the helpline they confirmed that I have the right PRSI contributions and I was eligible and should not have been refused.
- Weekly payments of €350 started to come through from August 4th and they said I would get the ~5 weeks missing back payments covering Jul 1st to Aug 4th. As of Sept 11th I am still waiting.
- Since then I have been chasing the missing payments. I have emailed PUPReRate@welfare.ie and called the helpline twice. Not getting any response from the emails but on the phone they have said back payments will take "some time".
- Today I called them and they said they don't know how long and that they were going to do it in Aug. But, they added now that the scheme has been extended to April '21 that it may not happen until after that date.

Is anyone else waiting on back payments and just wondering if there is an alternative route I can go to get the ~€1500 I am due ? I really don't want to wait until May '21 !

Dempo1 · 11-09-2020 3:43pm

cd76 wrote: »

Hello,

- I am self employed (employee of my own limited company) and applied for the PUP payment on July 1st.
- Like other Self employed people I got rejected on the basis of apparently not having the correct PRSI contributions.
- I checked all of this and I had the relevant contributions. I appealed to PUPReRate@welfare.ie and after chasing it via email and on the helpline they confirmed that I have the right PRSI contributions and I was eligible and should not have been refused.
- Weekly payments of €350 started to come through from August 4th and they said I would get the ~5 weeks missing back payments covering Jul 1st to Aug 4th. As of Sept 11th I am still waiting.
- Since then I have been chasing the missing payments. I have emailed PUPReRate@welfare.ie and called the helpline twice. Not getting any response from the emails but on the phone they have said back payments will take "some time".
- Today I called them and they said they don't know how long and that they were going to do it in Aug. But, they added now that the scheme has been extended to April '21 that it may not happen until after that date.

Is anyone else waiting on back payments and just wondering if there is an alternative route I can go to get the ~€1500 I am due ? I really don't want to wait until May '21 !

Glad you were able to get approval, sadly, numerous reports on inordinate delays on back payments owed, some going back as long as March, also disgraceful delays in appeals on payment reductions, look back on some posts here.

11-09-2020 8:17pm

mallowgarry wrote: »

Eight weeks and waiting. Tried to call DEASP in Waterford, was told they are not accepting phonecalls.

As per Government Ombudsman, you have to exhaust all avenues of appeals (or an excessive delay) before they will get involved. Emails don't seem to hold much water with them, so

You need to send a formal appeal in writing to:

Covid 19 Unemployment Payments Appeals
PO Box 12896
Dublin 1

If you don't get any satisfaction there, then you can get the Ombudsman involved.

I wrote in three weeks ago and will be referring it back to the Ombudsman in a few days

I received an email, literally one day short of nine weeks, reinstating the higher rate and stating that the arrears would be paid. From what I have seen they informed those who were not going to get the higher rate and then started on those likely to be rerated. So if you haven't heard anything your chances of being rerated are decent.

Also, I was in contact with the DEASP and was told that the team dealing with it have been cut down to nothing and there are only a few souls dealing with a huge amount of claims and attached documentation.

Hope this is of some help.

torrevieja · 20-09-2020 11:32am

Pandemic Unemployment Payment could be restored to full €350 per week

https://www.dublinlive.ie/news/health/pandemic-unemployment-payment-restored-dublin-18965442#ICID=Android_App_DublinLiveAppShare

Toptips1 · 22-09-2020 8:40am

Just letting people know I got all my arrears for been placed wrongly on reduced rate paid today, I didnt get any email or notification.

Dempo1 · 22-09-2020 9:51am

Toptips1 wrote: »

Just letting people know I got all my arrears for been placed wrongly on reduced rate paid today, I didnt get any email or notification.

Fantastic, delighted for you

I-Bleed-White · 24-09-2020 1:50pm

I don't know if it has been brought up on this thread already but is anybody waiting on the PUPRerate? My problems are of my own making as despite paying my 2018 tax via DD I did not put my return through my return for a variety of reasons until July. Rev said they would be unsure how long before the confirmation appeared on Welfare. I've sent my return to PUP rerate but waiting months now for reply. Welfare and DEASP say nothing they can do as PUPRerate only have email. Told if i'm stuck for money I should go on Jobseekers but I will not be able to claim any arrears off Covid not to mention the money I could have made had I went on Jobseekers months ago. My current plan is to sit down, twiddle my thumbs and wait as I finacially bleed to death.

Dempo1 · 25-09-2020 10:11am

I-Bleed-White wrote: »

I don't know if it has been brought up on this thread already but is anybody waiting on the PUPRerate? My problems are of my own making as despite paying my 2018 tax via DD I did not put my return through my return for a variety of reasons until July. Rev said they would be unsure how long before the confirmation appeared on Welfare. I've sent my return to PUP rerate but waiting months now for reply. Welfare and DEASP say nothing they can do as PUPRerate only have email. Told if i'm stuck for money I should go on Jobseekers but I will not be able to claim any arrears off Covid not to mention the money I could have made had I went on Jobseekers months ago. My current plan is to sit down, twiddle my thumbs and wait as I finacially bleed to death.

Some have had results but it seems to be an adhoc, pick a number out of a hat approach. There appears no obvious logical approach as to how these issues are being dealt with and whilst I know not helpful, it really looks like a waiting game. The excuse of vast numbers being dealt with is worn a little thin by now.

mallowgarry · 02-10-2020 10:18am

After I initially contacted the Ombudsman, I received a reply from their Early Interventions person, advising that I had to put my complaint in writing to:

Covid 19 Unemployment Payments Appeals
PO Box 12896
Dublin 1

Following a reponse, or an unreasonable delay, I was invited to then re-contact the Ombudsman.

I did as requested, and quoted my Ombudsman Case Reference number.

Several days later, I received a message via MyWelfare, telling me that there had been a review of all PUP recipients in the State, and that they were now giving me the best possible deal and lodging €1470 to my bank account (which has appeared).

I initially contacted PUPRerate on 7 July, and it is now nearly 7 October, so 4 months to get action.

I wasn't stuck for the money, but others on here are.
My advice is to put your appeal in writing to the address given above at the earliest opportunity. Wait three weeks, then contact the Ombudsman.
Their forms and website are simple to follow. If they get involved, I would suspect your case will go the top of the pile, and they will be involved in any subsequent haggling if you are not happy with the result.

Best of luck to anyone else chasing back money

Dempo1 · 02-10-2020 10:25am

mallowgarry wrote: »

After I initially contacted the Ombudsman, I received a reply from their Early Interventions person, advising that I had to put my complaint in writing to:

Covid 19 Unemployment Payments Appeals
PO Box 12896
Dublin 1

Following a reponse, or an unreasonable delay, I was invited to then re-contact the Ombudsman.

I did as requested, and quoted my Ombudsman Case Reference number.

Several days later, I received a message via MyWelfare, telling me that there had been a review of all PUP recipients in the State, and that they were now giving me the best possible deal and lodging €1470 to my bank account (which has appeared).

I initially contacted PUPRerate on 7 July, and it is now nearly 7 October, so 4 months to get action.

I wasn't stuck for the money, but others on here are.
My advice is to put your appeal in writing to the address given above at the earliest opportunity. Wait three weeks, then contact the Ombudsman.
Their forms and website are simple to follow. If they get involved, I would suspect your case will go the top of the pile, and they will be involved in any subsequent haggling if you are not happy with the result.

Best of luck to anyone else chasing back money

Well done for sticking with this, absolutely disgraceful any government department allowed to behave in this shoddy manner and astonishing not a mention of it in various Dail debates or by various politicians and Journalists covering the entire PUP story. But congratulations to you, delighted

ATC110 · 02-10-2020 1:35pm

Has anyone whose PUP rate was reduced in July successfully appealed and had their rate increased based upon their 2019 tax return?

I’ll be submitting my 2019 return this month.

torrevieja · 02-10-2020 9:39pm

just wondering if there paying out the people who didn't get there payment straight away had to wait a week or two ,

who do you appeal to for that ?

theglobe · 04-10-2020 12:56pm

I received a back payment last week even tho I have been signed off the pandemic payment for a few months. Is everyone receiving a back payment based on the new rates?

torrevieja · 06-10-2020 12:06am

is this thread closed ill try again :

just wondering if there paying out the people who didn't get there payment straight away had to wait a week or two ,

who do you appeal to for that ?

I-Bleed-White · 06-10-2020 12:50pm

Still haven't got the payment but apply for it every week. I notice that the email address for a review is has changed from puprerate@welfare.ie to pupearningscheck@welfare.ie . I was talking to someone in the DEASP and she said she had no idea about the email change. I'm wondering if they might be doing something to address the backlogs.

Dempo1 · 06-10-2020 6:29pm

torrevieja wrote: »

is this thread closed ill try again :

just wondering if there paying out the people who didn't get there payment straight away had to wait a week or two ,

who do you appeal to for that ?

As mentioned previously, they seem to be putting this particular issue on the long finger and it's even been suggested people won't get these payments until PUP ends, There's been no other updates I'm aware of.

Dempo1 · 06-10-2020 6:32pm

I-Bleed-White wrote: »

Still haven't got the payment but apply for it every week. I notice that the email address for a review is has changed from puprerate@welfare.ie to pupearningscheck@welfare.ie . I was talking to someone in the DEASP and she said she had no idea about the email change. I'm wondering if they might be doing something to address the backlogs.

What are you referring too? New PUP claim or appealing rate reduction? If its rate reduction, some previous posts suggest some progress but only after ombudsman intervention, check back on previous posts.

Covid 19 PUP - Self-Employed only

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