JSA versus JB

D

donegam

Guest
I was just down at the SW office applying for JB. I was a student last year so I wouldn't have had much prsi contributions built up.
They told me I might be better off applying for the JSA as I would only get something like €160 a week with JB.
So now I have to have a means test. I have savings. Will this affect me? They said they would put in an application for both JSA and JB and I don't really understand why. Obviously I would hope to get the full €204 per week rather than €150 but I don't know if my savings will affect which I get...
 
If your savings are less than 20 000 euro, then you have nothing to worry about, as anything under that amount is disregarded for a means test.

The reason you've been asked to apply for both is because your PRSI contributions may not qualify you for the full rate JB and you might be better off on JA. If, due to the means test, the JA was less than whatever JB you are entitled to, you can claim the JB and put off the means-tested payment for a few months.
 
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