Cohabitation / Illness benefit

Hey there

My partner and I are renting an apartment together (both names on the lease though all money comes out of my bank a/c and the esb and phone is solely in my name).

Recently she became ill and won't be able to work for the next few months. She had started a new job late last year but has had to leave it. She has been submitting medical certs to the welfare office for the past few weeks.

However she received a letter stating that her PRSI contributions were not enough to receive illness benefit as outlined here: http://www.citizensinformation.ie/c...nts/disability-and-illness/disability_benefit
(she was out of the country for 6 months working in europe during the relvant tax year, 2005 and worked part time for some of last year).

The community welfare officer also told her she is not entitled to any other benefits because she is living with me.

Do you think there is anything we can do in this situation? Up until a few months ago my partner was an independent person - earning money etc, now she is completely dependent on my income.

Is there any tax relief I can apply for?

How is working abroad for a period worked out in terms of PRSI contributions?
I'm not sure if she sorted out her tax situation abroad as she wasn't earning too much (board and lodge were included in her job).
Would it make any difference to appeal to our local TD or is it the case that "the rules are the rules"?

She has verbally told them she is living with her partner, how much of a grey area is it when it comes to a definition of co-habitation though? Do they check these things out ?

Would there be any repurcussions to her officially moving home and staying over in "my" apartment from "time to time"?

thanks,

reg

If she paid social insurance abroad, that can be used to help her qualify for Illness Benefit. She will need to total 39 weeks between Irish and insurance abroad in 2005, though.

The reason that you are included in the equation with regard to CWO payment is that this is means-tested and your income is taken into account in deciding her overall means. Did she get an officail desision or just a verbal decision. She is entitled to appeal the official decision if she feels hard done by, but have a look at what is included in means on www.welfare.ie

Co-habitation, for SW purposes, is the same as being married to somebody and it is fraud to attempt to cover up the fact. Yes, they do check it out adn there is no "grey area". It is now on record that she is a co-habitee adn any reporting of a sudden change in her circumstances would be treated as highly suspicious and investigated thoroughly, by home visits, watching movements, etc.. cohabitation is more that living under the same roof, it is also socialising and sharing costs (such as lease which her name is on).They do not like people trying to pull the wool over their eyes!