Living in a rural area

LegacyUser

Is there any scheme set up for people living far away from the social welfare office and post office?
I've been signing on for a couple of months now, living about 7 or 8km away from the post office with no bus services, the social welfare office is about 20km then, but there's a bus from the village where the post office is.
My father was unemployed and is starting a job tommorrow and I just realised I've no way of getting up to sign on or collect my money.
I'm under 24 so really not getting enough money to get taxis in and out and I don't know the neighbours very well, and have no other family around.
I can drive but no car at the moment

hawthorne

Sorry- no sheme.
I was in the same situation. SW office 25 kms away, no car. Had to use the bicycle, a bus and train and was gone for the best part of the day. No refund, no free ticket.
Welcome to the pain everybody has to share....well- some anyway.

Balagan

If you live more than 10 miles from the SW office, you usually would only be signing on every 12 weeks (see below), which would cut down significantly on the journeys. Also, remember that SW payments may still be in the PO on a Saturday morning (assuming it's open) when your father may be able to give you a lift. Ask at your PO if it will still be there on Saturdays.


In some cases you may sign on more or less frequently. Usually if you live up to 10 miles from the nearest Social Welfare Local Office you will sign on every 4 weeks. If you live over 10 miles from the nearest Social Welfare Local Office you will sign on every 12 weeks.http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/unemployed_people/signing_on.html

LegacyUser

Thanks for the help guys..
I have to sign on Tuesday so I'll find out about the 12 weeks then, I assume you just ask in the sw office, without having to go to the cwo or anything?

hawthorne

Great- it was not possible in my time to sign on every 12 weeks. I had to go every 4 weeks. Good news.