Jobseekers over 62 exempt from looking for work

Alan2013 · 13-09-2014 5:27pm #1

Hi All,

Is this an accurate assessment of how job seekers over 62 are now being handled by DSP? Is it effectively an early state pension, providing that you abide by the new relaxed rules?

I have tried to add a URL to reference a Sunday Times article written last October, but boards is not allowing me

Any thoughts on this would be appreciated

Al

Balagan · 13-09-2014 5:39pm

Arrangements for older jobseekers
The Department of Social Protection is putting new administrative provisions in place to ease the transition from the labour force into retirement. From 1 January 2014, if you are claiming Jobseeker’s Benefit or Allowance and are aged 62 or over, the following will apply:

You will no longer be required to engage with the activation process and you will not be subject to penalty rates for non-engagement
You can voluntarily avail of a range of supports (for example, training or employment support programmes) from the Department of Social Protection
In addition, most jobseekers aged 62 or over will be placed on a yearly signing arrangement with their local social welfare office (this means that they do not need to sign on regularly) and most will be transferred to Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) payments so payment can be made directly into their bank account. Certain categories of older jobseekers may be required to engage more frequently with their local social welfare office. For example, casual jobseekers of 62 and older must continue to submit weekly dockets of their work patterns.

Note that to qualify for either Jobseeker’s Benefit or Allowance you must be genuinely seeking work and be available for full-time employment and these conditions will continue to apply to older jobseekers.
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/older_and_retired_people/early_retirement.html

enfield · 13-09-2014 5:40pm

Interesting. My wife is 63 and I am 61, does that mean she will retire early? Can I not claim for her on the dole? Does she now go seperate? its getting confusing.

MouseTail · 13-09-2014 5:44pm

No Enfield, this has nothing to do with retirement. Your wife can continue to work up to her retirement date.

enfield · 13-09-2014 5:55pm

Thank you MouseTail, efficent and courteous.
Kind regards.
Tom.

chrysagon · 13-09-2014 5:58pm

so retirement age of sorts is 62?

mp22 · 13-09-2014 6:37pm

chrysagon wrote: »

so retirement age of sorts is 62?

No it is not.

Alan2013 · 13-09-2014 7:02pm

Apologies if I have caused any confusion regarding this question. My query is that given the new relaxed rules relating to the 'activation process' regarding over 62s claiming job seekers payments, is this effectively a early pension providing that they sign on once a year and continue to look for work

mp22 · 13-09-2014 7:30pm

I doubt it,you may be asked to produce evidence of job hunting,when your stamps run out you will have to be means tested for JSA,ect

MouseTail · 13-09-2014 7:49pm

mp22 wrote: »

I doubt it,you may be asked to produce evidence of job hunting,when your stamps run out you will have to be means tested for JSA,ect

Yes, you go through the same process and you are not exempt from jobseeking. It is simply a pragmatic measure so that those who find themselves out of work aged 62+ wont be put under pressure to up or reskill or to join activation schemes such as TUS or Gateway.

Nomis21 · 14-09-2014 10:34am

I noticed a change when I became 60 in July. I now only have to sign on twice a year and have not been called into DSP office or sent to any job interviews since February.

g mc cooey · 25-11-2022 7:46pm

Hi their I have worked 41years on a co council Ipaid classA prsi coordinated supplementary pension. I am 61years old retired now 1month and on jobseekers how long will I get b 4 iam knocked of