Corona virus and social protection

BanditLuke · 23-03-2020 11:48pm

Got laid off last week and sent off the form last Thursday. Got an email today telling me to collect my pandemic payment in the post office tomorrow. Can't understand this as i put my bank details on the form for im guessing payment straight into the bank??

Seems crazy sending people to the Post office when we meant to be social distancing.

Wanderer19 · 24-03-2020 12:01am

Atavan-Halen wrote: »

Hi just wondering if anyone could advise whether I’d qualify for the emergency payment.

I’m a student working part time in retail as a rep. The stores I work in have closed so I no longer have any shifts to work, but I’m employed directly by the company that makes the product. They haven’t let staff go or anything but won’t be paying us either. They are trying to figure out a way for us to do some work from home so that we can continue to be paid but it’s unlikely as our jobs are not office based and very much about selling in stores.

I’m kind of in limbo at the moment because yes I’m still employed but I have no shifts to work so therefore I’m not being paid for anything. From the payment form it seems the payment is just for people who have ceased employment so That doesn’t technically apply to me. Also being a student I wouldn’t usually qualify for social welfare payments. Any advice? Thanks!

Yes, students are entitled to the payment.

Just be honest and tell them there's no work for you. Your employer will probably need to provide a letter to support this.

Wanderer19 · 24-03-2020 12:03am

Stheno wrote: »

Could anyone tell me if you are not laid off but have compulsory unpaid leave of absence for several weeks do you qualify for social welfare?

Yes, it's a temporary lay off. There's no guarantee of work, but no guarantee there won't be in the future either.

Wanderer19 · 24-03-2020 12:12am

dan786 wrote: »

Quick q on behalf of someone I know. They are employed with a company for almost 5 years but started on a 10 hour contract. However they have been rostered and worked between 30-40 hours every week since. Due to current situation they have had their hours cut back to 10 so basically one day of work.

Can they apply for the short term payment even if their original contract is part time 10 hours ?

He can apply for the emergency payment, long term he can apply for payment for the days he doesn't work. So he'll get 4 days SW instead of 5 - if he's entitled to it.

Wanderer19 · 24-03-2020 12:16am

If hours were reduced because of covid then you can apply for that, if not then apply for jsa as you're effectively working part time.

Wanderer19 · 24-03-2020 12:21am

gary550 wrote: »

Just wondering if anyone could advise what the situation would be for a proprietary director and the covid-up payment?

In the last month I have stopped self employment and started trading through a limited company, I haven't even took a wage yet and its looking like the next few months will be tough & unlikely I will be able to pay myself.

Do you have to have a certain amount of PRSI contributions etc? Will I be treated as an employee rather than self employed?

Yes, you can apply, no stamps needed for emergency payment but JSA will be means tested

Wanderer19 · 24-03-2020 12:28am

Laserb wrote: »

Hi for those of you that have childminders who mind in their home, will you be paying any fees during the lock down? Presumably childminder's can avail of the emergency social welfare payment..

They can only avail of it if they're already registered as self employed.

Wanderer19 · 24-03-2020 12:33am

Link to Citizens Advice - maybe useful to some

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/covid19_and_social_welfare.html#leb0f8

Cliona2012 · 24-03-2020 12:57am

So for the emergency covid 19 payment you get that for the 6 weeks regardless of eligibility for jobseekers benefit or allowance?

Wanderer19 · 24-03-2020 4:54am

Cliona2012 wrote: »

So for the emergency covid 19 payment you get that for the 6 weeks regardless of eligibility for jobseekers benefit or allowance?

Yes, as long as you've lost your job/temporary lay off or had your hours reduced to a certain extent.

amc19 · 24-03-2020 9:15am

Did anyone receive a payment this morning?

LegacyUser · 24-03-2020 9:21am

Wanderer19 wrote: »

Yes, as long as you've lost your job/temporary lay off or had your hours reduced to a certain extent.

Put on a three day week yesterday, was told by the company not entiltied to the covid payment and I need to apply for jobseeker's

splinter65 · 24-03-2020 9:54am

amc19 wrote: »

Did anyone receive a payment this morning?

If you have absolutely no means with which to sustain your family then you need to make an appointment to see the local CWO at your local SW office.

BanditLuke · 24-03-2020 10:11am

amc19 wrote: »

Did anyone receive a payment this morning?

I still haven't recieved anything into bank but got an email asking me to collect payment from local Post Office which is bizarre.

amc19 · 24-03-2020 10:14am

BanditLuke wrote: »

I still haven't recieved anything into bank but got an email asking me to collect payment from local Post Office which is bizarre.

That’s the only thing I have heard of is emails about collecting in post office when did you get that email?

Stressed beyond belief as I’m sure everyone else is .

runawaybishop · 24-03-2020 10:14am

BanditLuke wrote: »

I still haven't recieved anything into bank but got an email asking me to collect payment from local Post Office which is bizarre.

Could be a problem with the bank details

nicrob08 · 24-03-2020 10:24am

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.

Sorry I haven't read the whole thread but just came across your post. I was told I can keep my WFP while getting the temp Jobseekers payment

dan786 · 24-03-2020 10:50am

Someone may know this, there are thousands of foreign people who now hold an Irish Citizenship. I know that if they claim any sort of SW from government that has affect when they apply for a visa etc for a non EU spouse.

I wonder if someone who has never claimed any sort of welfare from the state before but claims just the Covid 19 emergency payment will be affected?

I know a few guys who have been working here 10+ years paying full taxes and never claimed anything who are afraid to claim in time of need just incase it has an affect on approval of visa etc for their spouse in future.

TheKBizzle · 24-03-2020 10:51am

I got €203 today. Put in claim on 15th as was out of work from then.

amc19 · 24-03-2020 10:55am

TheKBizzle wrote: »

I got €203 today. Put in claim on 15th as was out of work from then.

To your bank? DId you get any communication before payment ?

tempnam · 24-03-2020 11:00am

splinter65 wrote: »

Please don’t do that at the moment. The best thing to do is fill in the appropriate application form and post it in.

I haven't actually been laid off (yet), but from the conversation I had with my boss yesterday I got a sense that it may be coming down the line. I'm trying to be proactive here and plan/budget for ongoing expenses so was curious as to what may be available to me.

I did call the Dept. of Social Protection in the end. They were very helpful.

TheKBizzle · 24-03-2020 11:14am

amc19 wrote: »

To your bank? DId you get any communication before payment ?

I got an email yesterday saying to collect it at the post office. I filled in the form online before the simplified form came out and there was an option for post office collection and bank transfer. For some reason it went to post office even though they have bank details as I was on injury benefit for 3 weeks and was due to return to work Last week before getting laid off.

upinthesky · 24-03-2020 11:48am

upinthesky wrote: »

How do you know if you are going to receive the payment or not, i applied when the form first came out and posted it off but have heard nothing since, my partner is working so Im not sure if that affects it, but so far no confirmation.

Received email this morning that payment is in the post office, also gave bank details but not going into the bank.

newbie18892 · 24-03-2020 11:58am

What's the protocol with collecting social welfare payments from the post office while you're self-isolating? I filled in a form to get my JA paid into my bank account but haven't received confirmation that they've received it yet so will have to go today to collect my payment the normal way.

BanditLuke · 24-03-2020 12:01pm

Just back from collecting down the post office. Holy christ iv'e never seen queues like it. Letting 1 person in at a time into post office and straight up to window just held my ID up to window and they gave me the cash which went straight into a ziplock bag. Woman behind window told me social welfare have made a mess of a lot of payments that should have went straight into bank but i guess they are under incredible pressure.

Pauliedragon · 24-03-2020 12:03pm

Dropped my form into the office lastTues (obviously Wed when they would have received it). Money in bank this morning yet to receive an e mail.

amc19 · 24-03-2020 12:06pm

Pauliedragon wrote: »

Dropped my form into the office lastTues (obviously Wed when they would have received it). Money in bank this morning yet to receive an e mail.

One of the lucky ones , thanks for the update ! What bank are you with out of interest? Im TSB and nothing (applied same day as you)

sooty1 · 24-03-2020 1:37pm

Daughter applied Monday 16th - money in her account this money.

glen123 · 24-03-2020 2:15pm

dan786 wrote: »

Someone may know this, there are thousands of foreign people who now hold an Irish Citizenship. I know that if they claim any sort of SW from government that has affect when they apply for a visa etc for a non EU spouse.

I wonder if someone who has never claimed any sort of welfare from the state before but claims just the Covid 19 emergency payment will be affected?

I know a few guys who have been working here 10+ years paying full taxes and never claimed anything who are afraid to claim in time of need just incase it has an affect on approval of visa etc for their spouse in future.

I am sure they'll use common sense when it comes to that visa application and they'll look at the overall history of the person. They've even extended this emergency payment to foreign students and non-documented workers with no intention of penalising anybody or sharing information with DOJ.
https://www.mrci.ie/2020/03/18/covid-19-emergency-payment/
" The Irish Government has confirmed to MRCI that all people – documented or undocumented – can apply for and look for information from social welfare services free from fear during COVID19. These services will not share your information with the Department of Justice and Equality. It is safe to apply for payments and to look for information from these services."

Pauliedragon · 24-03-2020 2:23pm

amc19 wrote: »

One of the lucky ones , thanks for the update ! What bank are you with out of interest? Im TSB and nothing (applied same day as you)

AIB. I'd be surprised if you didn't get it today at some stage or tomorrow at the latest. They had most apps processed by the weekend apparantly.

ToddDameron · 24-03-2020 3:32pm

I filled out the Pandemic for and got an email yesterday stating that it is to be collected at the Post office today despite the form asking for bank details. I am at high risk to Covid-19. No one is answering the phones as I imagine they are swamped. Anyone experienced similar?

Edit. See a lot of people in the same boat. Suppose should have predicted they'd cock it up one way or another.

kennypowers · 24-03-2020 3:33pm

amc19 wrote: »

That’s the only thing I have heard of is emails about collecting in post office when did you get that email?

Stressed beyond belief as I’m sure everyone else is .

Got the same e mail yesterday. Thought it was strange because I m sure I put down bank details .It appears as paid on welfare ie site .
Called the hotline .Agent explained that basically its a bit of a balls up <understandable enough given the volume >and will be rectified by next week .In the meantime many of us will be making our first and hopefully last trip to the post office.

hardybuck · 24-03-2020 4:28pm

I have an Indian friend on a working visa who has lost his job.

Chap says visa holders aren't entitled to any welfare from the state and is a bit worried about his general situation.

Is it true that those on visas can't get welfare if they lose their jobs?

beautyqueen · 24-03-2020 4:34pm

amc19 wrote: »

One of the lucky ones , thanks for the update ! What bank are you with out of interest? Im TSB and nothing (applied same day as you)

I applied on monday 16th, no email or payment yet, I am with Tsb.

I'm lucky my job paid me for the first 2 weeks of march before we closed so not in desperate need at the moment, but am eager to know its sorted at the same time going forward.

AdrianG08 · 24-03-2020 5:29pm

It now seem that if you were laid off (permanently) for Covid 19 reasons, you will be entitled to €350 in unemployment payment.

My understanding is that this distinct from the circumstances where those laid off will be paid 70% of their wage (emergency wage subsidy) in order to maintain link with their employer.

It now seems that there are 2 levels of welfare recipients. Say you lost your job (through no fault of your own, not corona related) in January, you still only receive €203. Whereas, someone let go a month later due to corona receives nearly €150 more.

I have no issue with the emergency wage subsidy, where there is a link maintained with employer, but how can they justify the first payment?

24-03-2020 5:32pm

I believe the elderly, carers and disabled people should get something extra in these hard times also.

AdrianG08 · 24-03-2020 5:34pm

Deleted User wrote: »

I believe the elderly, carers and disabled people should get something extra in these hard times also.

I don't see the justification for the higher rate if you have been permanently let go to be honest.

Absolutely, a top up is fair once link with employer is still maintained. Also very unfair on those who found themselves out of a job earlier in the year and have to get by on the lesser rate than the newly unemployed.

tritriagain · 24-03-2020 5:37pm

AdrianG08 wrote: »

It now seem that if you were laid off (permanently) for Covid 19 reasons, you will be entitled to €350 in unemployment payment.

My understanding is that this distinct from the circumstances where those laid off will be paid 70% of their wage (emergency wage subsidy) in order to maintain link with their employer.

It now seems that there are 2 levels of welfare recipients. Say you lost your job (through no fault of your own, not corona related) in January, you still only receive €203. Whereas, someone let go a month later due to corona receives nearly €150 more.

I have no issue with the emergency wage subsidy, where there is a link maintained with employer, but how can they justify the first payment?

I'm in that boat. Let go in early Feb. Been trying to get work but no hope now. Yet people let go now are going to better off than me. Not very fair. That's life.

Cliona2012 · 24-03-2020 5:38pm

How many weeks does the CVID payment last for? Is it til April 21st (6 weeks after announcement) or 6 weeks from date when first applied for? (Say if I apply on April 6th one would get the payment for the subsequent 6 weeks)

ShooterSF · 24-03-2020 5:38pm

No sign of getting this today so. Does anyone know will it be another week or are their other days it could get paid in. Not used to this stuff.

Gary kk · 24-03-2020 5:40pm

Friday i think

AdrianG08 · 24-03-2020 5:40pm

tritriagain wrote: »

I'm in that boat. Let go in early Feb. Been trying to get work but no hope now. Yet people let go now are going to better off than me. Not very fair. That's life.

Its a crazy measure.

A higher calibre of job seeker it seems. I'd say someone will argue about the hole in this policy.

Cannot stress enough, the employer subsidy is a great idea, but this emergency payment seems really unjust for those recently unemployed.

FVP3 · 24-03-2020 5:45pm

Deleted User wrote: »

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

They should do this for laid off people, for sure. Then theres no need for the 70%. Child benefit could be increased if needed.

marguerite2000 · 24-03-2020 5:49pm

Is there anything in place for people on Disability allowance who lost their jobs ,i really depended om my 2 days pay.But it seems nothing at all paid in this intance

Ianobeano · 24-03-2020 6:45pm

Necro wrote: »

No.

Payments are running as normal for Jobseeker's this week.

Next week there will be a double payment when Jobseeker's move to fortnightly payments.

Certain payments are starting to move to fortnightly this week but Jobseeker's is not one of them.

Details on this have been confusing depending on what documents I've read, so just because I'm flustered with the information and to confirm with myself, there's definitely a payment tomorrow for previous Jobseekers Benefit/Allowance then next week another payment that then moves it to a double week ?

Cork Boy 53 · 24-03-2020 6:49pm

marguerite2000 wrote: »

Is there anything in place for people on Disability allowance who lost their jobs ,i really depended om my 2 days pay.But it seems nothing at all paid in this intance

Regina Doherty will be interviewed on RTE Radio 1 shortly. She may clarify the measures announced today.

amc19 · 24-03-2020 7:29pm

Gary kk wrote: »

Friday i think

Why do you think that?

amc19 · 24-03-2020 7:29pm

ShooterSF wrote: »

No sign of getting this today so. Does anyone know will it be another week or are their other days it could get paid in. Not used to this stuff.

Let me know if you find out I’m in same boat waiting

punisher5112 · 24-03-2020 7:33pm

amc19 wrote: »

Why do you think that?

Stated on news, payments Friday

marguerite2000 · 24-03-2020 9:05pm

People getting existing social welfare payments such as Jobseekers allowance/Benefit , One Parent Family ,Carers payments and Disability Allowance and who have lost employment should not apply for the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment.
Instead, these people should contact the Department to tell them that they have lost employment and the Department will, if appropriate, increase their personal rate of payment to €350 .
Community Employment (CE) participants will continue to get a CE payment – they should not apply for the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment.
The application form asks the applicant to declare “I declare that I am not being paid by my employer at the moment.” So it seems it should not be applied for if your hours have been reduced. (But this is not what the Dept have previously said in online communications)

Is this correct ,it says iF you are already on a reduced payment and loose your job it will be increased to 350 ?? Read on money guide.ie
Can anyone cofirm this

Corona virus and social protection

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