I am 24 years old and currently unemployed. I have been out of the country travelling for the past year. I am now back living with my parents while l try to find a job.
Is it possible to claim social welfare if I am living at home. Both my parents are self-employed.
No harm in trying. Probably best to just apply to your local SW office and they can tell you if you qualify. If you have the necessary PRSI contributions (probably not if you were travelling for a year) then you may qualify for non means tested Jobseeker's Benefit. If not then you can try for means tested Jobseeker's Allowance. See here:
Note that if you have a medical card when you do get a job you are eligible to a reduced rate of prsi. Not sure if this affects future benefits though.
I was in the same situation (twice!) Came back from travelling and spent a month or two looking for a job while living at home. Was getting 150 yoyos per week lodged into the account (once unemployment benefit, the other time unemployment assistance). As I had no expenses it was useful drink money!
Eoghan
Sounds like he was perfectly entitled to it and was genuinely seeking work so what he spent it on was his prerogative. Don't forget that most of us pay PRSI towards this sort of thing and some of us (including myself) sometimes have cause to fall back on it. Welfare don't specify any qualifying conditions on what claimants are allowed spend the money on!