Jobseekers Credit Only - How often do you sign on ?

M

Madramor

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I finished my jobseekers benefit in January and signed online in early February. It states that this was for January 8th to February 7th. The MyWelfare site has me stated as signing for credits only which is fine. Thing is, I haven't been asked to sign since. Does anyone know how often I should be asked to sign ? I don't want to find out in a few months that I was scratched off as I need all the PRSI stamps I can get.
 
I’m been made redundant soon at 55 , I’ll get enough to keep me going for 2 years but obviously I’ll be claiming jobseekers benefit for 9 months ….my wife earns 30k so that’ll probably mean I won’t qualify for Jobseeker’s Allowance after that if I’m still unemployed.
Couple of questions … do you have to go to post office every week or can you get job seekers benefit paid into your bank account ?
If I qualify for no payment JB Allowance after 9 months due to wife working do I have to pay for credits you speak of for state pension ?
 
You have to collect your weekly JB payment from the post office.

Prsi credits are free of charge.
 
Was made redundant on April 5. I collected Jobseeker's Benefit on Monday 15th for 9/04/24 - 10/04/24 92.80 euro - it actually said Extra Days Paid: 2 and today Wednesday for 11/04/24 - 17/04/24 232 euro and it said Extra Days Paid: 6. How much is a day as I can't reconcile both payments. Is a day 46.40 euro? Any help appreciated?
 
Yes the payment is 46.40 euro per day. A full week of Jobseekers is paid for 5 days so 232 euro.

They then complicate the whole procedure by counting the total term in days that you receive Jobseekers Benefit, based on a 6 day week.

You have probably been awarded 39 weeks of Jobseekers Benefit.
This is counted as 234 days.

What they are saying is that you currently have been deducted 2 days for the first week and 6 days for your second week.

Your total remaining period of Jobseekers Benefit is now 226 days.
 
I signed on yesterday for the first time for Jobseekers Benefit in a Intreo Centre. The guy told me to come back in August and I asked - 'Can I sign online?' - He didn't seem familiar with the process but said it shouldn't be a problem and said he will ask his Supervisor and I should get an e-mail or maybe a notification online in my account. Is online signing common or would I be in the minority doing this?
If I have to go to an office that's fine.
 
You get 52 credits for a full sign on year. The 39 credits might relate to the first year when you received Jobseekers Benefit for 39 weeks.

The updating of your Prsi record can be very slow. It might take 6 months or more into the next year before your previous years credits appear on your record.
 
I got a text from My Welfare this morning saying my Declaration is due tomorrow and I can log in tomorrow after 8AM to submit. I was pleasantly surprised and this will save me a trip. It says to ignore date on post office receipt which is actually correct.
 
So I got my final payment for Jobseekers Benefit - 195.20 for 4 days 02/01/25 to 06/01/25.
I calculate as follows 4*46.40 + 4 days increased rate - 4*2.40 ( 12 euro increase for 5 days) equals 195.20
I applied online for Jobseekers Assistance but I don't think I'll get any due to savings.
I intend to sign on for 'credits' but just currently waiting on a decision about Jobseekers Assistance since early December.
 
Check on MyWelfare next Monday to see if there's a payment there for you. Quite often the default goes to giving you the JA till they check their sums. The down side is you'll have to pay it back if you're not eligible. This can take the DSP a while sadly.
 
I actually have a phone meeting with my case officer next tuesday (Pathways to work) - explain I'm still looking for work, what I am doing etc. and I sign on next Wednesday. I presume I can do this online as I have done now twice previously. I normally get a text the day before and maybe an e-mail about a notification.
 
I'd still check, they're not known for joining dots and in fact it was my case officer who gave me the credits only form and told me to hand it in to them just in case.
 
"If you do not qualify for a Jobseeker’s Allowance payment, or if your means are in excess, you should continue to sign for Jobseekers Credits provided you satisfy all the other conditions. Credits are very important and may help you get benefits and pensions in the future. If you wish to sign for credits, please contact your local Intreo Centre / Branch Office."

The above was on a notification I got start off December and I immediately applied for JA. I find the wording highlighted in black not very helpful. Do I wait a few weeks and phone them about signing for credits? Will I have to call into the office? Can you not do it online?
I'll ask my case officer on Tuesday. The process could be made a bit clearer.
 
There are various training courses available for Jobseekers.
Some of these pay a training allowance equal to Jobseekers Benefit. Ask about these at your Intreo meeting.

My wife did a paid training course while she was a Jobseeker.
This course was a Low level (as in altitude) walk leaders course.
It consisted of being taken out for a series of low level (Forrest tracks) walks. Navigation, Safety, First aid, Fauna and Flaura and local curiosities etc.

She had a great time, was paid and was doing what she enjoyed.
There are lots of other courses. Something for everybody.
 
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I just checked MyWelfare account online and my JA claim was disallowed. They advised they will send out a letter. Anybody know at what amount off savings could you re-apply for Jobseekers Allowance? I hope I won't have to do this but just curious.
 
theresa1 said:
Anybody know at what amount off savings could you re-apply for Jobseekers Allowance?
Click to expand...
That information should be available here:

Jobseeker's Allowance

A means-tested payment to people who are unemployed and looking for work.
www.citizensinformation.ie

Means test for Jobseeker's Allowance

To get Jobseeker's Allowance you must satisfy a means test. A means test examines all your sources of income. However, some income is not included when calculating your means.
www.citizensinformation.ie
 
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