JSA / JSB Waiting times Survey

Dempo1

Recon wrote: »

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.

Yes agreed but I was responding to a very vague series of questions. I am unsure why you were just entitled to €150 on JSB, perhaps your circumstances were taken into account but i was under the impression JSB despite any circumstances was calculated at the maximum rate €196 per week albeit now reduced by the budget, this amount would be applicable for the period your contributions allow for same, i believe it can be 6/9/12 months whereby went the entitlement expires you revert to JSA which is means tested.

I remain confused about being offered an alternative between JSA and JSB on an initial or first claim.

In addition there was confusion as to the role the CWO plays in the process and i endeavored to clarify same!

I am no expert, just learned from my own experiences.

Davexirl

You were told you'd only get €150 a week on jsb cos it goes off what you earned in 2009 if you made claim this year, or if you made claim in 2010 then it's what you earned in 2008. You didn't earn enough to get the €196 so they asked would you like to make a jsa claim so you might get the full whack.

cee_jay

Dempo1 wrote: »

Yes agreed but I was responding to a very vague series of questions. I am unsure why you were just entitled to €150 on JSB, perhaps your circumstances were taken into account but i was under the impression JSB despite any circumstances was calculated at the maximum rate €196 per week albeit now reduced by the budget, this amount would be applicable for the period your contributions allow for same, i believe it can be 6/9/12 months whereby went the entitlement expires you revert to JSA which is means tested.

I remain confused about being offered an alternative between JSA and JSB on an initial or first claim.

In addition there was confusion as to the role the CWO plays in the process and i endeavored to clarify same!

I am no expert, just learned from my own experiences.

If your earnings in the relevant tax year were less than €300 a week, you are not entitled to the full rate of Jobseeker's Benefit - see http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Schemes/JobseekerSupports/JobseekersBenefit/Pages/jb.aspx#Rates3
If you do not qualify for the full rate of Benefit, you can opt for Optional Jobseeker's Allowance if you feel you will qualify for the full rate on that - it is the last question on the application form.

Dempo1

cee_jay wrote: »

If your earnings in the relevant tax year were less than €300 a week, you are not entitled to the full rate of Jobseeker's Benefit - see http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Schemes/JobseekerSupports/JobseekersBenefit/Pages/jb.aspx#Rates3
If you do not qualify for the full rate of Benefit, you can opt for Optional Jobseeker's Allowance if you feel you will qualify for the full rate on that - it is the last question on the application form.

I stand humbly corrected and apologies for any wrong info! I was a novice when i signed on for the first time after 25 years working!:rolleyes:

Recon

Ya that's basically it. I was working for a while in 2009 before going back to college after my contract was up. Finished last June and have been looking for work since. Had my third interview in the same place last Monday, pain in the ass with some of the bigger companies the way they do things...told it'll be a couple of weeks before hearing back.

Edgedinblue

Applied for JSA on the 17th may, had means test on 18th june... still waiting! have been into my sw and questioned it several times. each go was told to go home and wait for a letter/phonecall! honestly i gave up going into them for a while, luckily the cwo has helped alot!

moved address in oct, changed addresses asap in the sw, yet on the 5th jan they sent a letter to my old address with an appointment time to see the inspector. luckily my old landlady contacted me about the letter this week, so was a week late for appointment. but rang and got an apology from them to say it was the sw inspectors fault, that the file was updated in oct, but the sw inspector never bothered to update her files :rolleyes: i was then told they'd be in contact with me soon. what a pain

allandanyways

Applied for JSA orginally in September but my claim was closed when I ended up being fecked about by employers and thought I was going to get a job, and didn't go back with the necessary documents. That happened a few times so I had to go up and re-open my claim on the 17th January.

I have less than a euro in my bank account and my mam isn't getting very much from her job, the girl behind the desk told me I would get details of my first payment in two weeks.

Just rang the SW Office in Maynooth and was told that it'd be "a few more weeks" and if I was desperate, to ring the CWO. No details or anything, just "yeah, that'll be a few more weeks. ok thanks bye!". :mad:

dammitjanet

SW Office: Bray
Payment: JSB
1st visit to SWO: 10th Jan
Apointment at SWO: 13th Jan
Recived letter from SWO: Today!
Payment: 17th Febuary

Just glad it's come through, i'm running out of savings!

eastbono

Jsb does come through more quickly than Jsa.. I have seen jsa closed because of people not producing the documentation requested or not turning up for appointments because they are on supplementary welfare allowance. Most of the time that claims are protracted is because the claimant does not produce documents requested from their local swlo or they have not produced documents to the social welfare inspector..people should note that any info requested from swlo has to be produced within 7 days and claimants are asked to sign a form stating they will have this info produced within 7 days it is the responsibility of the claimant to either phone their local swo or go in there to tell them they can not produce the documentation on time.

cute_cow

SW Office: Kilbarrack, Dublin
Payment: JSB
1st visit to SWO: Tuesday 15th February
Apointment at SWO: Thursday 17th February
Recived letter from SWO: Friday 18th February
Payment: 23rd February

steveLFC24

eastbono wrote: »

Jsb does come through more quickly than Jsa.. I have seen jsa closed because of people not producing the documentation requested or not turning up for appointments because they are on supplementary welfare allowance. Most of the time that claims are protracted is because the claimant does not produce documents requested from their local swlo or they have not produced documents to the social welfare inspector..people should note that any info requested from swlo has to be produced within 7 days and claimants are asked to sign a form stating they will have this info produced within 7 days it is the responsibility of the claimant to either phone their local swo or go in there to tell them they can not produce the documentation on time.

Yeah I can confirm this, was told the same thing when I was on JSA for a couple months and had to forward a letter from my University stating that I studies there for the last 4 years. The letter had to come from the UK so I was a couple days late sending it back in. I just rang and told them why it was delayed and everything was fine. I attached a note to the letter just make sure. So if you still waiting on documentation after 7 days make sure you ring them and explain this too them, otherwise your application will be put on hold and you will be waiting longer.

Isse79

To all who've been left waiting far too long.

I was left waiting 5 months to hear back from the dole office in regards to my jsa application. Out of frustration and desperation I wrote a letter of complaint which I also CC'd to two of my local TD's. It didn't even take a week before I got a phone call from the dole office with a personal apology from their supervisor and a confirmation that my money would be in my account within three days. And so it was.

Sometimes kicking up a bit of a stink will actually get things moving.

eastbono

I have to agree with this and it was totally unacceptable that you were waiting for that period of time for your claim to be processed. Were you in contact with your sw office during this time? and if you were what were they telling you.

[Jackass]

Went into Apollo house, Tara Street on Wednesday, qualified for JSB, came back in on Friday with forms completed and was told to go to post office on Wednesday to collect first dole payment - 7 days from walking in until cash in hand. Shocked! :eek:

JSB seems straight forward.

JSA seems like a nightmare.

eastbono

[Jackass] wrote: »

Went into Apollo house, Tara Street on Wednesday, qualified for JSB, came back in on Friday with forms completed and was told to go to post office on Wednesday to collect first dole payment - 7 days from walking in until cash in hand. Shocked! :eek:

JSB seems straight forward.

JSA seems like a nightmare.

Well JSA is a nightmare and there are a lot of jsa claims because people who were on jsb and now their benefit is exhausted are also being processed for jsa and people coming back from abroad also fall into the jsa category and if they are out of the country for any significant length of time they have to be issued with an habitual residence form as well and it just adds to the processing time..its a total nightmare and there is only such much x amount of people in an office can do working flat out.

saoirsebui

I applied for JSA just before Christmas, had my interview 14th Jan and got my first payment on 18th Feb. Not too bad really, I was expecting a longer wait.

.

notsobusy

I had my interview with the social welfare inspector this morning. I actually went into him. He was very nice and it was over and done with in 10mins.

I have been waiting since Oct 09.

Edgedinblue

Been waiting since May '10, had a social welfare inspector call around last wednesday. Anyone have any idea how long it'll take for them to get back to me?

CaseyBabes

Can understand JSA taking a bit longer, given that a means test might be necessary, but I've been waiting a month now to hear about a JSB claim. Just called my local office now and was told the claim is awaiting a decision and I should hear within the next 3 weeks??

fatsamsdisco

Applied for JSA on July 24, 2010. It was means tested. Had returned from a lengthy spell abroad, had to prove HRC. Got my payment thru after much difficulty on Dec. 22.....so 6 month wait.

I thought the following would benefit similar returned emigrants......

"To assist me if you are a Habitual Resident in the State, I would appreciate if you would forward evidence of the following:

1. Proof of travel to Ireland - flight confirmation details
2. Proof of in employment in USA
3. Proof of USA Social Security Number
4. Proof of termination of employment in USA
5. Proof of Residency in USA
6. Proof of termination of residency in USA
7. Proof of repatriation of personal possessions to Ireland
8. Proof of closure of USA bank accounts & statements
9. Proof of looking for work in Ireland since arrival in State
10 Proof of address - tenancy agreement & ESB bill in your name dated in the last 3 months."

After I provided ALL of the above info, I got a further request for even more proof. It seemed to me that they were hoping you'd just give up. Hope the above helps out some boardies....I know @ the time I could find out very little as to what info they would be looking for when I initially applied. The CWO were unwilling to give me any money in the short term as they also wanted to prove HRC. They told me there would be a lengthy delay in processing the HRC. Only for family, I'd have been fooked.

Chao.

scoobisnacks

Applied Sep 13th 2010

Finally got JSA 23rd February 2011

(in the interim as a family we had Supplementary Welfare Allowance)

Husband started job on 22nd February.

They have stopped JSA to do new means test.

CoolGirl101

Office: Wexford
Time so far: A month, and still counting, which isn't much however I am expecting it to be way longer...

eastbono

scoobisnacks wrote: »

Applied Sep 13th 2010

Finally got JSA 23rd February 2011

(in the interim as a family we had Supplementary Welfare Allowance)

Husband started job on 22nd February.

They have stopped JSA to do new means test.

Go and re apply for supplementary welfare allowance... im surprised jsa was stopped usually there would be an overpayment and they would recoup it... really depends on the office.

LegacyUser

Social Welfare Office: Apollo House, Tara Street
Social Welfare Payment: Jobseekers Benefit
First Visit to Welfare Office: Wed 2nd March
Appointment with Officer: Fri 4th March
Confirmation Letter with payment details received by post: Wed 9th March
Cheque with first benefit payment received by post: Tues 15th March
Weeks from Application to Payment: 1 week and a half

Very quick turnaround, I was impressed!

CoolGirl101

Applied tenth of Feb, and they told me this week it was only sent off on the 14th of this month.....wtf?
So expecting it to be ages, FINALLY got some help from the CWO, at least that is something.

colin110

SW Office: Limerick
Payment: JSA
1st visit to SWO: 19th Oct
Apointment at SWO: 28th Feb !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!after many calls
Recived letter from SWO: STILL WAITING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

rentboy

Hi everyone,

Just a quick question regarding a one off weekly welfare payment in advance. I have just got more bills to pay this week and typically it clashes with rent. Anyway, as I am freaking out a wee bit I am wondering if anybody knows if I can go down to my post office tomorrow, Friday the 25th March, to collect NEXT WEEKS payment? I ask as I am already in arrears with bills and bank letters are getting on top of me. I need to pop down to the post office first thing basically. I am going to ring them later but just thought I'd ask here.

Many Thanks,
RB

Recon

I think that's something to call to the CWO in your welfare office for. I doubt people in the post office will be able to do anything for you.

Do you have a credit card? If so, use that and remember to pay it off next week when you do get your next payment.

ConfusedGuy92

I sent all my information etc. in on November 15th.

I called back on February 16th and was told nothing more than "Still pending."

It is now March 29th and I have still recieved no word 4 months later.

Is this normal and if not wtf do I do?

Johnstan

ConfusedGuy92 wrote: »

I sent all my information etc. in on November 15th.

I called back on February 16th and was told nothing more than "Still pending."

It is now March 29th and I have still recieved no word 4 months later.

Is this normal and if not wtf do I do?

Go to your Community Welfare Officer (CWO) and tell him exactly that. He'll give you a Supplementary Welfare Allowance which should equal JSA each week.
If you're really lucky he may even backdate the payments, but don't rely on that, as long as you start getting money to survive.

ConfusedGuy92

Johnstan wrote: »

Go to your Community Welfare Officer (CWO) and tell him exactly that. He'll give you a Supplementary Welfare Allowance which should equal JSA each week.
If you're really lucky he may even backdate the payments, but don't rely on that, as long as you start getting money to survive.

My other thread no feels useless .

Yeah I was told like an hour ago to the CWO (although I thought it was SWO lol). I think he is in tommorow which is pretty convinient. When I go will I need to bring any information or anything? I had a card in which I was told to bring to him but it expired on February 15th.

Also, I was told by other people previously on the JSA that your money backdates to the time that you applied for it, is this true?

Things are always more difficult for me lol, anyone else said they applied and like within two months they had the money and it backdated and everything, no issues. I guess that's why I'm ConfusedGuy and they are not lol.

lil-ms-vodka

Feb 2011 - Dublin 15 office
Went in on a monday afternoon had my claim approved immediatley & collected my money that week, no issues at all

notsobusy

After waiting since October 09 I have finally been approved for JSA!!!! I had a means test about 5 weeks ago and I dropped into the SWO to ask about a letter I had received from the DO....They told me my claim had been approved! Very excited and very happy. I am working 3 days a week at the moment and I suppose that must have clinched the deal!

Hokuto

Applied for the Jobseekers Allowance in Blanchardstown SWO on 31/12/2010
I went to the office on February 2011 to ask about my claim, they said that it was 'still pending'
April 2011- still nothing and I was told to go to the office on a specific date to join the queue.

Why does it took them so long to process my claim? Should I go ring the office again to see what's the story with it?

sporting dogs

the best thing to do is to get in touch with your local TD.
i was waiting months for my claim to be settled, got in touch with a local Blanchardstown TD and within 3 weeks my claim was settled

CoolGirl101

Applied on tenth of Feb
Recieved actual JSA on 6th April, and got backdated.

Getting there

Iv been waiting 2 months since applying in Cork City....

My savings are disappearing fast! Paying next months rent will be an issue:(!

What happens if you get a job and cancel your claim, do you still get the backpay from when you first opened your claim? Or just wave goodbye to savings?

eastbono

Getting there wrote: »

Iv been waiting 2 months since applying in Cork City....

My savings are disappearing fast! Paying next months rent will be an issue:(!

What happens if you get a job and cancel your claim, do you still get the backpay from when you first opened your claim? Or just wave goodbye to savings?

Yes you should once you qualify. While you are waiting for your claim to be processed you can go to your community welfare officer and apply for supplementary welfare allowance. Any money you receive from the cwo will be paid back from your jobseekers claim when it comes through.

ahfeckted

gosh i have been lucky...my JB took an hour to sort out. they checked my credits and since they were sufficient , i was put on JB straight away. picked it up the next day.

JA (when credits ran out)took 3 weeks.

upinthesky

Social Welfare Office: meath
Social Welfare Payment:waited 2 weeks for jsb now going onto jsa
Application Date:may 4th may
Date informed of means test appointment, if applicable*:
Date of means test appointment:
Weeks from Application to Payment:1 week

wow cant beleive how quick my payments went through
waited 2 weeks for my jsb payment now my credits have run out so am going onto jsa
my last payment was last wedensday feb 27the and iv been informed i will have a payment in the post office friday and every tuesday after that very quick

Getting there

Seriously? wow, Iv been waiting more than three months now and still nothing!

upinthesky

i know right? went into them to get a letter because i was going to go to the c.w.o untill my payment went through and they said why are you going to him your payment is through already nearly dropped had to ask them were they sure!

Edgedinblue

Finally got sorted with JSA

Applied 20th may 2010 in galway city
means tested 18th june
social welfare inspector paid a visit in march
got letter in post yesterday claim sorted.

nearly a year waiting :mad: not impressed with how long it took and how little information/help they gave me over the last year.

LegacyUser

i applied for jobseekers allowance 7 weeks ago it took 3 days before i could get an interview which was fine..i have rang and rang but they wont answer the phones so i have decided im going to go down to the office to find out whats happening haven't even recieved a letter..
im really pissed off as i have no means of income what so ever and im way behind on bills etc does anyone else have this problem?
will it get back dated to the time i applied?

ConfusedGuy92

I ****ing hate reading this ****.

SWO: Meath
SWP: JSA
Application: 15th November
Payment: 12th May

And Im pretty sure they just ****ing told me I'm getting 41euro, why the **** would they make me wait 7 months for money I could find looking in the ****i ng couch

Twiggy007

SWO: Swinford
JSA:
I applied on the 21st of febuary, i finally got means tested today but still don't know how long i have to wait. i will be waiting 12 weeks on monday. i also sent an email to Joan Burton T.D the minister for Social Protection and it seems to have got the wheels in motion.

notsobusy

Edgedinblue wrote: »

Finally got sorted with JSA

Applied 20th may 2010 in galway city
means tested 18th june
social welfare inspector paid a visit in march
got letter in post yesterday claim sorted.

nearly a year waiting :mad: not impressed with how long it took and how little information/help they gave me over the last year.

Know how you feel, I had been waiting since OCT 09 and I reckon it only came through in March 11 when it did because I got a part time job!!!!

JM91

Last april after dropping out of college I applied for JSA and was told to bring in bank statements, a Letter proving I was no longer in college and because I am under 24 accounts from the business my parents are renting (they are self-employed and I am living with them). She told me to ring up if I couldn't gather everything within a week and they would arrange another meeting to hand it in. I couldn't get alot of the stuff and tried to ring them several times and got no answer.

So for the next few months I kept looking for work and got some random jobs but nothing official. I went back to the SWO in December 12th and re-applied and explained that I couldn't get through and did some random work. I waited 4 months before getting a letter saying I got an interview with the Social Welfare Investigator the following week 11th April and had to bring the same documents I showed them. The account information I had given him was not enough so I had to go back in a drop the accounts back in. He told me all the info I had given him would be passed on to the deciding officer. Because it took a while for the accountant to get them finished for me I only just dropped them in today.

Just wondering if anyone knows if the deciding officer will come out to visit me? How long does that usually take? and will my claim be back-dated to the 12th of December?

Thanks

xxzaraxx

I applied for jobseekers allowance in the Finglas branch on a Thurs 12.5.2011. Saw me straight away and were very helpful. I got an acceptance letter the following Wednesday 18.5.2011. My first sign on is Tues 24.5.2011. They are very good in the Finglas branch:)

Jackalxx

Social Welfare Office: Newbridge
Social Welfare Payment:jb
Application Date:11 april
Date informed of means test appointment, if applicable*:
Date of means test appointment:
Weeks from Application to Payment:6 weeks

payment came yesterday for 313 euro,
payment date on slip 14 april - 18 may went into the office in newbridge today and was told that payment was for 10 days which if i did my sums is 31.30e per day and 3.91e per hour (9-5pm) for the 3 days im not working during my 3 day week.
Does that sum seem odd to anyone else because it does to me lol.

When I first went in to apply for jb i was told I was entitled to the full rate which is 188e. Today when I went in the lady said they deduct the days I work from the 188e etc.

Anyone else claiming jb can probably help me out alot, please reply me as I would greatly appreciate it.