Jobseekers Benefit Overpayment

Siobh73

I have just been to the SW office to let them know that I am back home as I was away last week and couldn't pick up my payment. They have told me that a cap was not put on my Jobseekers and I have been paid about 60 days too much!

The lady said this was just picked up when I filled in the form with the dates I was away. She has sent my claim to be "assessed for assistance" and I will get a letter about it. She said it was their mistake that the cap wasn't put on but basically there will be no money for me til it is sorted.

I knew my time was running out but was unsure when as I was on a 3 day week for some of the time. I got the Benefit Ending letter about 4 weeks ago and met with the Means Test inspector about 10 days ago to see if I qualify for Jobseekers Allowance. None of this was my fault but I am now so worried about how they will seek to get the overpayment back. It looks like it will be a total of about 10 weeks at E196 a week!

Will it make any diference that it was their mistake and there was no fraud on my part?

gustafo

Siobh73 wrote: »

I have just been to the SW office to let them know that I am back home as I was away last week and couldn't pick up my payment. They have told me that a cap was not put on my Jobseekers and I have been paid about 60 days too much!

The lady said this was just picked up when I filled in the form with the dates I was away. She has sent my claim to be "assessed for assistance" and I will get a letter about it. She said it was their mistake that the cap wasn't put on but basically there will be no money for me til it is sorted.

I knew my time was running out but was unsure when as I was on a 3 day week for some of the time. I got the Benefit Ending letter about 4 weeks ago and met with the Means Test inspector about 10 days ago to see if I qualify for Jobseekers Allowance. None of this was my fault but I am now so worried about how they will seek to get the overpayment back. It looks like it will be a total of about 10 weeks at E196 a week!

Will it make any diference that it was their mistake and there was no fraud on my part?

I can't see it making a difference if its there mistake or not you will still have to pay back the money but ususlly they will come up with a payment plan something like you paying back 10 or 15 euro a week until its cleared.

30lady

if you qualify for full job seekers allowance of €196 per week then you should have been entitled to it from the time your job seekers benefit entitlement ran out, therefore you wont owe social welfare any money

if you don't qualify for job seekers allowance or get it at reduced rate and do owe social welfare money for an overpayment you can negotiate repayment based on what you can realistically afford... €5 - €10 / week depending on your own situation. Don't let them tell you a figure. Have your income and expenses listed to show what you can afford without having to do without food/miss electricity payments/go without heat etc.

Have you applied for supplementary welfare allowance while waiting to hear on your job seekers allowance

Siobh73

I don't think there is much hope of me qualifying for the full amount 30lady - I'm just hoping I qualify for something to reduce the amount to be re-paid.

I'm not sure what the clerk meant when she said my file had been sent for assistance assessment? Could that be the supplementary payment you mean? I am still a bit in shock about it and waiting for the letter....