refused JA because partners income too high.

Hi there,
Just looking for a little outside insight as to wether you think i should have been denied a JA payment based on my partners means.


He is self employed. The officer decided that he earned gross yearly income of 24,701 (475 euro p.w) he did not deduct any expenses, of which my partner has plenty e.g diesel,chainsaw maintenace etc.

We have one child together.

I have a few questions:

• Should he have deducted reasonable expenses when assesing means?
• What is the cut-off yearly amount ones partner can earn before it comletely disqualifies the other one from a payment?...i.e I was expecting a reduced rate of payment...not nothing.

If anyone has been in a similiar position or has any advice for me that would be great.
Thanks.

This is a starting point to read about means of a self employed person. http://www.citizensinformation.ie/e...ed_people/self_employed_and_unemployment.html

Thank you! Some useful information here... The deciding officer definately did not deduct expenses from his gross and I also feel he over estimated my boyfriends potential earning figure.

Did you get a written statement of means from the deciding officer and if so could you post up a few of the figures for AAMers to check( I know its complicated!)

Calculation

The calculation goes as follows:
(Assuming no large amount of capital,2nd house etc)

Spouses gross wage
less PRSI (not USC)
less pension,pension levy
less Union Subs
=Net Income

-Disregard for days worked (e20 per day ,max e60)
leaving x
Weekly means = 60% of x (final figure above)

Welfare payment is max for your situation less weekly means

So........
Wage 475 (assume no pension,union dues)
less prsi 13
= 462
Disregard =e60
Leaving e402
Means 60% of 402 = 241.20
Max welfare= 188+130+30=348 (spouse+dependent adult+child)
Payment= 348-241.2=106.80

All the above are very rough ,top of the head approximations to give you a flavour of how the sums work