Hi DerekMoy
I'll try to work through the list of payments you have set out in your posts.
If you take a voluntary redundancy package you can generally claim for Jobseeker's Benefit. If the package is large you may have to wait some weeks before you qualify for JB. JB lasts up to either 9 or 12 months (most likely 12 months given the information you've posted) after which you will be means-tested to see if you qualify for Jobseeker's Allowance. You can find out more about JB here:
http://www.welfare.ie/EN/OperationalGuidelines/Pages/jb_jobseekben.aspx
With JB you can claim for your partner (an Increase for a Qualified Adult) but not if your partner earns more than €310 per week. If your partner earns between €100 and €310 per week you can claim a reduced amount. You can find out more about this here:
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/c...social-welfare-payment-for-an-adult-dependant
On JB you can also claim for your children but the situation will be more complex for your 18 year old. More information for this here:
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/c...ncrease-in-your-payment-for-a-child-dependant
Getting a Mortgage Interest Supplement (MIS) depends on a large number of factors including whether or not you could afford the mortgage previously and whether or not the Community Welfare Officer considers your mortgage reasonable to meet your needs. You are unlikely to get MIS if your partner works more than 29 hours per week. Also, if you have insurance on your mortgage this may be difficult to claim if you take voluntary redundancy. More information on this here:
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/c...-welfare-schemes/mortgage_interest_supplement
The medical card is means tested. If you don't qualify for a medical card you might qualify for a GP visit card. More information on this here: [broken link removed]
If you have overpaid tax / underused your tax credits you can claim a refund. More information on this here:
http://losingyourjob.ie/money-and-tax-issues/getting_a_tax_refund.html
It is also worth remembering that JB is taxable (except for the first €13) and your redundancy package may also be taxable above the statutory minimum.
The main payment if you want to start a business is the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BtWEA). There is a short-term option which allows you to qualify immediately and receive benefits for one year. You can also keep any secondary benefits you have (eg medical card) - but this does not include the Mortgage Interest Supplement.
The longer-term BtWEA requires a 2 year qualification period and allows you to keep 100% of your benefits for one year and 75% for the second year. More information on this here: [broken link removed]
You can get assistance and advice in starting your business from your local development company or from your City or County Enterprise Board. More information on these here: [broken link removed] and here: [broken link removed]
In terms of further sources of information the Operational Guidelines documents on
www.welfare.ie are very detailled and cover most situations. To get a quick overview, try the Citizens Information site [broken link removed].
I hope this helps a little
Graham Long
Citizens Information