Unemployed on Job Seekers Allowance now wife has been made redundant

[times]

Hi,
Ive been unemployed for 18 months now & I'm on Job seekers allowance, the value of which was dictated by my wife's income, now my wife has been made redundant, how does one proceed,

does my wife claim her Job Seekers benefit & if so, is my Job seekers allowance adjusted to reflect the loss in the household income
or
is my wife's welfare benefit included in my allowance
We have 2 children.

Thanks

Times

 

[gipimann]

Your wife can sign on and make a claim for Jobseeker's Benefit (JB) and you can ask for a review of your Jobseeker's Allowance (JA).

Financially, it'll make no difference whether you claim for your wife & children on your JA claim, or if she claims JB in her own right and you continue your JA claim.

Because you're on a means-tested payment, the maximum amount you can get between you is the JA rate for a couple with 2 children.

If your wife is available for and looking for full-time work, then she should make a JB claim - it'll keep her PRSI record up to date if she signs on herself, which may count in later years when PRSI contributions are counted for pension purposes. Her PRSI record would not be kept up to date if she were included on your claim.