JSA / JSB Waiting times Survey

xtradel

Did a means test at the end of May before i finished up on Jsb at the end of June. Called in today and was told that it was approved yesterday and i will be only entitled to €47 a week because of my wifes earnings. I will be due to get €700+ back pay next tuesday.

On the plus side i'm starting my new full time job on the 1st November so i'll take my back pay and they can stick their €47

Squaredude

applied last thursday,collecting my first payment on friday.listowel office.

fat__tony

I finally it very odd that people are still experiencing severe backlogs for processing their claims in welfare offices.

Hasn't the rate of unemployment leveled off in the past few months?

CR 7

Been waiting since March 1st for JSA. About a month ago, I finally received a decision on my claim. Was denied payment because 'my means exceed the payment I would receive'.

I worked for maybe 10 days in total over the summer, and notified them once a week of the days I worked, and every month took in a letter from my work stating the total hours worked and total payment received.

From spending 30 seconds reading the letter, I figured out that the deciding officer had managed to calculate the most I ever earned in one week, for 4 out of the ten days which happened to all be in one week. Then he had said that I was earning that amount for every single week from March 1st until when I signed off, on September 14th or so.:mad::mad::mad:

This is even though they know I only started working in the middle of June, and didn't work any day in July.

I've sent the appeal form away to Dublin, (By registered post, knowing what they're like) and received a reply(probably only because it was registered) saying there's a big backlog, which I was expecting anyway.

There's only 2 possible explanations, (1) The deciding officer can't read english, or read at all or (2) It was done on purpose, in the hope I'd either not notice the mistake, or just give up, cos of how much hassle it'll involve. Either way the deciding officer in the Mallow office, dealing with this case must be incompetent.

Park Ji Sung

Park Ji Sung wrote: »

Been waiting since March 1st for JSA. About a month ago, I finally received a decision on my claim. Was denied payment because 'my means exceed the payment I would receive'.

I worked for maybe 10 days in total over the summer, and notified them once a week of the days I worked, and every month took in a letter from my work stating the total hours worked and total payment received.

From spending 30 seconds reading the letter, I figured out that the deciding officer had managed to calculate the most I ever earned in one week, for 4 out of the ten days which happened to all be in one week. Then he had said that I was earning that amount for every single week from March 1st until when I signed off, on September 14th or so.:mad::mad::mad:

This is even though they know I only started working in the middle of June, and didn't work any day in July.

I've sent the appeal form away to Dublin, (By registered post, knowing what they're like) and received a reply(probably only because it was registered) saying there's a big backlog, which I was expecting anyway.

There's only 2 possible explanations, (1) The deciding officer can't read english, or read at all or (2) It was done on purpose, in the hope I'd either not notice the mistake, or just give up, cos of how much hassle it'll involve. Either way the deciding officer in the Mallow office, dealing with this case must be incompetent.

No DO is going to do something like that on purpose in the hope you wouldnt notice....thats a crazy accusation. Like why would they do that? People working in social welfare offices are normal people like yourself! They have nothing to gain by not paying you your allowance. Just more hassle as they will have to correct it if it is wrong.

And by sending your appeal to the appeals office you've just delayed everything. Why not just send it back to the DO and ask for it to be reviewed, expressing your concerns as to how your means were calculated. If the DO could see they calculated the means wrong, it would be fixed for you on the spot. Now it has to sit in the appeals office and then make its way back to the local office...delaying everything.

Also to answer a question asked earlier, unemployment has leveled out, but the delays are now caused by the huge numbers changing from jobseekers benefit to jobseekers allowance...which is means tested and therefore a bit more time consuming to process. Also dealing with the huge number of appeals (which are very time consuming) when you tell people their means are in excess.
Also a lot of people are going on courses or temp/short term work, which involves them signing off and then a few months later they need to sign back on again.

Dempo1

Deleted User wrote: »

No DO is going to do something like that on purpose in the hope you wouldnt notice....thats a crazy accusation. Like why would they do that? People working in social welfare offices are normal people like yourself! They have nothing to gain by not paying you your allowance. Just more hassle as they will have to correct it if it is wrong.

I suspect you are quite naive or perhaps have not being following this thread. Whilst i don't agree bad decisions are made deliberately, there are astonishing examples of complete incompetence at social welfare offices with quite unexplainable delays being faced by claimants. Its complete nonsense to suggest that cause of any delays are as a result of vast numbers going from JSB to JSB, in fact i would suggest these cases should be black and white. As for unemployment leveling off, this is very doubtful from evidence on the ground. The dept had ample warning and time to properly staff welfare offices and its ironic the new minister can now dedicate 600 new inspectors to fish out fraudulent claims. Its a mess all round.

donmeister

Have been waiting for the past 8 weeks for JSA, just off the phone with the manager of the SWO, and Ive been told im not entitled to a penny, my means were over the limit . Absolutely disgusted.

raveni

Waiting 5 weeks for JSA, had a visit from the inspector yesterday, he said its straight forward enough and I should be hearing something in a few weeks. I'm pretty happy so far as this isn't long compared to '08/'09 when I had to wait 24 weeks before any word from the inspector, I complained and was told by the people in the office to ring the him and he did the means test over the phone:rolleyes: Waited 32 weeks altogether that time. Mullingar.

Recon

A friend of mine in Cork, Job Seekers Benefit, she was entitled to the full amount (€196) since she was working for the last few years here. She had all of her forms and papers when she went in, so no messing around. Applied Tuesday last week, interview last Friday. First payment was yesterday.

8 days.

crossmolinalad

Deleted User wrote: »

I find this hard to believe. There must be really exceptional circumstances if it this is true.

Is this really true?? You said you moved back from another country, is it waiting HRC or what? If it is, its hardly waiting since 2.5 years.

Im in the same boat
I applied for JSA on april 09 and march 2010 im gone to the sw office and told me they couldnt find anything
I had to reapply for it
one week later didnt get anything
Put in an appeal should hear from it in july called them then would be october now it would be february before i will hear from them
in the mean time got a letter from the HSE they want to stop SWA within 3 weeks
Dont know what to do now

Johnstan

I went into the SWO, applied, and was told to bring in final docs. Did so the following week, and on the same day I got a supplementary welfare payment from my cwo (community welfare officer). My cwo who paid me the supplementary payment told me to collect following payments in the post office.

I'm not sure what it is I'm meant to be collecting, how much I'm getting (100, or backpaid 200?)
Don't know anything about means testing, and am very confused. Have never been on JSA or JSB before...

david75

Signed on october 21st and still no word. the community welfare officer is a complete nazi and wont help either. all kindsa screwed.

Edgedinblue

waiting 6 months for JSA now. Anytime i go in i get told the same thing "its with an officer and its being sorted through, go home and wait for a phonecall/letter".

have been get money from CWO the last few months, changed my address last week and post office. went to new post office today, no moneys, went to old post office no money there either >.< now i have to wait till next wed before i can get in touch with them. why do they only open 2 days a week!!!!!

IMC042

Wohoo! the woman from the SWO just rang and she is sending me a check in the next week. I know you all hate me now because i've finally gotten mine after 5 months, lol! At least now i can pay off some of my loan with it. Hope everyone else here gets sorted out soon too

Edgedinblue

just got this weeks money sorted with CWO,thats me happy now!

sporting dogs

glad i logged onto this thread today.
i have been waiting 4 months to get my job seekers allowance sorted , no luck yet. nice to read im not alone with this wait .
what on earth are you meant to live off in the mean time tho, i have bills an bills mounting up here.

Edgedinblue

you should head to your community welfare officer, they'll help ya out with money until youre claim is sorted through

sunflower27

Due to sign up for JSB in a few weeks. Can I just saying this makes for depressing reading. What are people living on while they are waiting for approval?

sporting dogs

i tried my SWO at the start, she kept sending me to my accountant for different forms and letters. i now owe him money. last time i was in with her she wanted more letters from him, i cant afford to go back and ask him for anything

cee_jay

sunflower27 wrote: »

Due to sign up for JSB in a few weeks. Can I just saying this makes for depressing reading. What are people living on while they are waiting for approval?

You can go to your local Community Welfare Officer while waiting for payment.
However, a lot of offices are working on an appointment system at the moment - you go in on your first day of employment, if you have everything you need (i.e. P45, redundancy letter, ID, Proof of address etc), you are given the relevant forms and asked to come back on a particular day/time to make the claim. Then if it is a straight forward Jobseeker's Benefit, or straight forward repeat Jobseeker's Allowance some offices are able to pay these straight away depending on the circumstances.

A lot of the delays are people waiting for means tests and habitual residence condition decisions.

david75

5 weeks waiting, went to the local office today and the guy at the counter said it's highly unlikely i'll be seen by the inspector before christmas and to go to the CWO. She wont deal with me cos I cant get the letter from my brothers landlord she wants, hed be breaking his lease if he had me here officially. CWO doesnt care and wont help. Anyone got any ideas?

FML

Johnstan

For anyone 'waiting' you are to get supplementary welfare from your CWO. I did that and have not had a single unpaid week since going unemployed. You wont get any backpayments form the CWO, so for those saying 'what are we living on' etc, you will only be paid from the CWO from whenever you go see him/her. Your own loss for not seeing them earlier

david75

My CWO wont help or pay me at all. Can I go down and tell her you said she has to pay me?
If you don't or can't jump through the bureaucratic hoops they set out, you won't get paid.

edit- i went down to the CWO the same day i signed on, same day i became unemployed.

cee_jay

If you are not happy with a CWO's decision, you can appeal to the Senior CWO.

david75

Yeah i'm gonna go down again tomorrow and ask about that. thanks

mrjacko

i was made redundant from my job in june, was claiming my stamps and they ran out in october.
i had my interview with the social welfare inspector on 1st of september to apply for the dole. she wants to come out to my house to interview me , is this normal ? im not hiding anything anyway so dont mind.
but still no sign of my payment
but i went to the CWO the end of october to get supplementary welfare until my payment came through..she approved me for it and i got 4 weekly payments..but i didnt get a cheque last week or this week, so i rang the CWO today as i thought my dole had come through, she gave me an earful down the phone, she was so rude to me , she has stopped my payment of supplementary welfare and told me to get social welfare to deal with it..i think she was mad because i was not home when she called to me and she accused me of working !!! i only wish i was working, i dont want to be on social welfare, i wouldnt be looking for it if i had my own money...i no have no income only €50 a week maintenance payment for my son, we are in a house that i cant afford the rent on and we have no oil in the tank to heat the house..what do i do now, the CWO is telling me to go to social welfare and social welfare is telling me to go to the CWO ??? i feel like i have no options now

hawthorne

See a Councilor or TD at once.
Preferable from the oppostion parties.
They might kick up a stink about it and you get your money very quickly.
Secondly appeal to the CWO decision at the Social Welfare Appeals Office in writing.
Unfortunately there are a lot SWO/CWO clerks out there who love to live out their neurotic aggressions on defenceless people. They are simply bullies and should not be at all in the position they are in now.
Good luck!

david75

Went down today and she was literally running around mental busy and didnt ask me for the letter from me brothers landlord and was very smiley, windswept from running and breathless busy and told me my money would be in the PO on wednesday next.

Will i get the back money though im wondering?

Johnstan

david75 wrote: »

Went down today and she was literally running around mental busy and didnt ask me for the letter from me brothers landlord and was very smiley, windswept from running and breathless busy and told me my money would be in the PO on wednesday next.

Will i get the back money though im wondering?

I didn't Was expecting it but whatever, I'm not complaining as long as I can live now


To everyone else here having problems with the CWO...just the best of luck, Kicking up a fuss can help if it needs to be done...
Happy xmas to you all and keep wrapped up over the winter. Oil is a ripoff, need to get gas in this backasswards town soon...

mclaughlng

hawthorne wrote: »

See a Councilor or TD at once.
Preferable from the oppostion parties.
They might kick up a stink about it and you get your money very quickly.
Secondly appeal to the CWO decision at the Social Welfare Appeals Office in writing.
Unfortunately there are a lot SWO/CWO clerks out there who love to live out their neurotic aggressions on defenceless people. They are simply bullies and should not be at all in the position they are in now.
Good luck!

Idid this three weeks ago. I was waiting from june, i explained my case and low and behold, on the Monday i got a aletter from the social telling me i have been wiped !!!
Its getting near the time when we stand up and be counted, instead of being walked over by the idiots ruining our once great country.
Problem is that most would not be bothered protesting.

Yillan

4 weeks

notsobusy

I am still waiting!!!! I've been getting payments from the CWO since April and during this time they have closed my claim and re opened it.

I went down to the PO this morning and there was no money so I rang the SWO and they said I had to speak to the CWO about my payment which is grand but I have to wait until to tomorrow to find out why there's no money. My JA is pending so I have no idea why the CWO has stopped my payment.

Dempo1

notsobusy wrote: »

I am still waiting!!!! I've been getting payments from the CWO since April and during this time they have closed my claim and re opened it.

I went down to the PO this morning and there was no money so I rang the SWO and they said I had to speak to the CWO about my payment which is grand but I have to wait until to tomorrow to find out why there's no money. My JA is pending so I have no idea why the CWO has stopped my payment.

WTF? April, Jesus these waiting times show no sign of improving. Surely if the SW are saying your claim is pending, they would have had ample time to make a decision within seven months. I am also surprised the CWO is continuing payments as normally this is only a temporary measure. I suspect your payment this week may have been due to the weather situation, a lot of CWO are not making it to clinics and may not have processed weekly payments. Hopefully you will get it sorted out!

notsobusy

Dempo1 if you think that's bad the original claim was opened Oct 09!!! That claim was closed in August and when I reopened the claim I had to fill out the Habitual Residence form which I didn't the first time round.
I have appealed the first decision to close my claim and I am still waiting to hear back from them.

Boxoffrogs

notsobusy wrote: »

Dempo1 if you think that's bad the original claim was opened Oct 09!!! That claim was closed in August and when I reopened the claim I had to fill out the Habitual Residence form which I didn't the first time round.
I have appealed the first decision to close my claim and I am still waiting to hear back from them.

notsobusy, It sounds like you've been patient up to now but perhaps it is time to go and see a local representative. I had two and a half years of dealings with the Social Welfare (claim made in April 08' and finally processed in October 10') but nothing worked until I got an official involved.

It can well be likened to banging your head against a brick wall at times.

notsobusy

I got the CWO payment sorted out, just a mix up on their behalf. But all sorted and they were very helpful.

hawthorne

Got my first JA last Friday- together with the back payment from the date I handed in my JA application forms. Three days waiting time were deducted from the sum.
Waiting time was 9 weeks.

Edgedinblue

I'm waiting 7 months ive been in and out to the social welfare and the last time i got sent up to the part where they do the means test and where the deciding officer is. was told to go home and wait for a phonecall.... still waiting! surprise surprise! :rolleyes:

legsington

I'm 11 weeks waitin for JA in wexford, got a card in the post 3 weeks ago wonderin if i had worked in the mean time, haven't heard anything since....... has this happened to any1 or am i likely to be waitin much longer??

Isse79

Applied for JA at end of July. Applied for BTEA at the start of September and went back to College at the end of Sept. Had a visit from a SW inspector in Oct and haven't heard a word since. Can't get my BTEA approved since it's pending the outcome of the JA which i only needed for a month = 5 month waiting and no money what so ever.

And today I paid the CWO officer a visit to ask for help and was told that since I'm back in full time education they cannot help me.

hawthorne

The Department of Social Protection has a very interesting customer charter on it's webpage:
http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Policy/CorporatePublications/HowWeWork/Documents/cust_charter.pdf
There are some infos given how to contact the department when things go wrong- like in many cases seen here under this thread.
May be whoever has the problem with not being paid for months and months without end should make use of the e-mail given (qcs@welfare.ie) and complain about the intolerable situations.
Sometimes the head does not know what the hands are doing. May be there are a few wake-up calls needed !
On my dole receipt I get when I collect my benefit it is stated : I received the sum of xxx- to which I AM ENTITLED !
I believe that everyone is entitled to his/her benefit like the minister and all the emplyees of the DSP are entitled to his/her pay as well.
I wonder how they would react if their pay is withhold for months and months !
Good luck to everyone !

steveLFC24

SW Office: Bishops Square (Dublin)
Payment: Job Seekers Allowance
Application Date: 18 October
Payment: 3rd December

Was waiting a month for the SWO to come to my house then only 2 weeks after that got approved. Pretty lucky compared to some of the ones I read. Hope yee all get sorted before xmas

SW Office: Killbarrack (Dublin)
Payment: Job Seekers Allowance
1st visit to SWO: Tue 14th Dec (Got appointment for next day)
Apointment at SWO: Wed 15 Dec
Recived letter from SWO: Mon 20th Dec
Payment: Tue 21st Dec.


So less than a week :eek:, quite shocked tbh.

I did however, print the application form, fill it in myself, had my P45 and a letter from my previous job stating the dates that i worked. (Was sure to get that when i finished my job)

So when i went to my appointment in the SWO, she pretty much had nothing to do, and they like that

diego ribas

SWO: Tara st
Allowance type: JSA
Received date: 23rd of December

Requested a move of jobseekers allowance from Cork to Dublin as I had a few interviews in Dublin and felt it would be better if I moved into my sisters place in Dublin.

Was told it took one week but it actually took 7 weeks after many phone calls and pressing the issue by taking employees names and dates it was soon resolved.

It seems they sat on it for a few weeks.

Was paid on the 23rd of December, not entirely sure when my next payment date is? In the New Year??

keraunas

Office: South West County Dublin.
Type: JSB/JSA
Applied: Early-Mid November
Status: No word from them for the last 10 weeks:(

My situation..... Went into the office earlier this week to ask what the story was. I was told that the claim had been opened just before christmas. Other than that i would have to come back another day to see the CWO if I wanted to find out what the story is.

So, Its been approx 3 weeks since the claim was first looked at. Does anyone know if this sounds normal? How long does it normally take for a claim to be resolved once its been opened? Is the CWO still hungover from christmas?

Cheers Everyone!

Dempo1

keraunas wrote: »

Office: South West County Dublin.
Type: JSB/JSA
Applied: Early-Mid November
Status: No word from them for the last 10 weeks:(

My situation..... Went into the office earlier this week to ask what the story was. I was told that the claim had been opened just before Christmas. Other than that i would have to come back another day to see the CWO if I wanted to find out what the story is.

So, Its been approx 3 weeks since the claim was first looked at. Does anyone know if this sounds normal? How long does it normally take for a claim to be resolved once its been opened? Is the CWO still hungover from Christmas?

Cheers Everyone!

You don't specify whether your claiming JSA OR JSB? JSB would be pretty quick as its based on your PRSI Contributions so essentially if you have been in full time employment for 2 years it should be sorted automatically assuming you have furnished all documentation including P.45

JSA does require means testing and this can take a little longer including perhaps a visit from an inspector to your home to assess your circumstances.

You mention initially your waiting 10 weeks the three? i reckon in all, JSA would take a minimum of 5 wks and up to 10, in this situation you could apply for payment through your CWO at your local health center.

As explained, JSB is pretty much automatic but perhaps a few weeks processing.

All the above said, there are major delays evident depending what part of the country your living in although i would have assumed Dublin offices are well staffed!

EDINBRO

West Cork

1st Visit: 26th of Oct

First payment: 14th of Jan

(11 Weeks)- Not acceptable

keraunas

Dempo1 wrote: »

You don't specify whether your claiming JSA OR JSB? JSB would be pretty quick as its based on your PRSI Contributions so essentially if you have been in full time employment for 2 years it should be sorted automatically assuming you have furnished all documentation including P.45

JSA does require means testing and this can take a little longer including perhaps a visit from an inspector to your home to assess your circumstances.

You mention initially your waiting 10 weeks the three? i reckon in all, JSA would take a minimum of 5 wks and up to 10, in this situation you could apply for payment through your CWO at your local health center.

As explained, JSB is pretty much automatic but perhaps a few weeks processing.

All the above said, there are major delays evident depending what part of the country your living in although i would have assumed Dublin offices are well staffed!

My apologies for not being clear.

I went into the SWO in early november. What I gathered from the girl at the desk is that first one applies for JSB following that one has the option to apply for JSA. I took the option to go for JSA. I completed all the forms for the means tests and handed all the required documents in the next day. (all this still in early november)

So, last week (mid january) i went back to the office because I had no contact from them for over 10 weeks. I was told that the file had been opened on christmas week but still have received no word.

If I want to find out I have to see the CWO. Is it worth the visit or does anyone think its will be resolved shortly anyway.

The basic question is....How long does it take for a CWO to decide on a case after its been looked at for the first time? You say 5- 10weeks?

I may have to go to the health centre...

Thanks Dempo.

The bureaucracy seems endless in every government department. As someone said before me.....Not Acceptable.

Dempo1

keraunas wrote: »

My apologies for not being clear.

I went into the SWO in early november. What I gathered from the girl at the desk is that first one applies for JSB following that one has the option to apply for JSA. I took the option to go for JSA. I completed all the forms for the means tests and handed all the required documents in the next day. (all this still in early november)

So, last week (mid january) i went back to the office because I had no contact from them for over 10 weeks. I was told that the file had been opened on Christmas week but still have received no word.

If I want to find out I have to see the CWO. Is it worth the visit or does anyone think its will be resolved shortly anyway.

The basic question is....How long does it take for a CWO to decide on a case after its been looked at for the first time? You say 5- 10weeks?

I may have to go to the health centre...

Thanks Dempo.

The bureaucracy seems endless in every government department. As someone said before me.....Not Acceptable.

Now I am completely confused and you have been miss informed. Firstly you don't get a choice on what to claim, if you have worked full time for two years or more and have been laid off, you are entitled to JSB subject to the usual requirements. JSA is essentially applied for if you have not worked the sufficient amount of time to have paid PRSI contributions or if you have not worked at all, perhaps just left school, college etc. The only other proviso is when someone uses up their earned JSB claim (approx) 12 months unemployment, they then revert to JSA which is means tested.

Your JSB/JSA CLAIMS are assessed on PRSI Contributions not on the whim of SWO.

You are also perhaps confused about what a CWO is or does? The Community welfare officer is employed by the HSE and they facilitate emergency payments whilst Claimants await a decision on their JSB/JSA claims. They have discretion to assist or not, depending on your circumstances. Amongst other things they assess is Rent Allowance, Mortgage interest supplement etc. The CWO has immediate access to the SW systems and your claim will show up when they check your details. Please note the CWO does not make any decisions on your JSA/JSB claim and if they decide to pay you, it will be deducted from any arrears that build up while your claim is being processed. Please also note you need to find out when your local CWO has a clinic at your local Health center, they do not accept appointments and be prepared for a large Q. Also insure you bring ID, PPS number details, Proof of address etc.

Recon

Dempo1, that's not necessarily true. I was able to choose. My PRSI contributions entitled me to ~€150 a week with JSB. The girl who was processing my claim said that if I liked I could go for JSA, be means tested and I may be entitled to more, which turned out to be the case.