Does having a child affect Jobseeker benefit period?

I

ivannomonet

Registered User
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Any advice appreciated thanks...
My wife resigned from her job in February 2008. Reason not relevent here.

She signed on for Jobseekers benefit on April 17th 2008 after the 9 week wait applicable in these circumstances.

She had our third child in December 2008. Obviously the department of social welfare were informed of her pregnancy and they advised her she was excused from signing on between December 08 and April 09.

All fine. She has now received a letter advising her that due to budget changes the allowed payment ranges have been reduced from 15 month to 12 months and 9 months depending on contributions paid. The letter states she has 400 contributions paid and so at the end of 12 months her benefit will cease.

Two questions here...

1) Since she signed on in April 2008 shouldnt she be allowed 15 months benefit not just 12 months?

2) Regardless of whether its 15 months or 12 months, would she be entitled to a maternity benefit during December to April thus prolonging the original period anyway?

She intends to contact the department to clarify but any advice welcome so we know what her entitlements should be.

As an aside she is actively seeking work and has been attending interviews in her field but outside of short term contracts has not managed to secure full time employment yet.
 
How long can I continue to get the payment?
Jobseeker's Benefit may be paid for up to 234 or 312 days of unemployment. However, the duration of benefit varies according to the class of qualifying contribution and the number of total contributions paid since a person started working (see below).
  • If a customer has 260 contributions paid they may be paid a total of 12 months (312 days). From 15th October 2008 all new claims and claims with less than 6 months (156 days) are paid a maximum of 312 days. If a customer had 6 months or more (156 days) paid on 15th October 2008, they may be paid 15 months (390 days).
  • If a customer has less than 260 contributions paid they may be paid for a total of 9 months (234 days). From 15th October 2008 all new claims and claims with less than 3 months (78 days) are paid a maximum of 234 days. If a customer had 3 months or more (78 days) paid on 15th October 2008, they may be paid 12 months (312 days).
If your wife was on jsb for less than 6 months on 15th october then she will only be entitled to payment for 12 mths!

The period was changed in the new budget in oct 08! it used to be 15 mths, but they put it down to 12 mths for anyone who was on jsb 6 months or less!
 
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