JA / back to work confusion, please advise?

redredder

Hi all,

I would really appreciate any feedback on the following matter. Please do not read into this the wrong way, as I am not trying to scam and am certainly not greedy.

I lost my job last April/beginning of May 2009 and had to receive social welfare benefits since. I was on a fairly high wage in my previous job and to say the least it was a devastating difference (as it is for ANYONE) and living on my own it was a huge struggle and so began a downfall of debt. I've been able to keep up with certain minimum payments and had to sacrifice on other things, and have no savings whatsoever as I have been living paycheck to paycheck.

I had an interview last week and got the job which I am obviously delighted about - but since my rent is due weekly, and I've started in this job working on a back month, is it possible to still receive payments from the social welfare until my back month is up? If so, I'm assuming I can pay back the payments received bit by bit? If not, what are my other options for the next 3 or 4 weeks?

Thank you soo much for any feedback either professional or from previous experiences.

Take care,

R

Balagan

You'll have to sign off from the date you start work but you can ask the Community Welfare Officer at your local HSE office for a repayable exceptional needs payment to get you by till payday. Congrats on the job!