Government Benefits Megathread

Really odd decision by DEASP to be calling from mobile numbers but I agree its possible albeit odd given the reasons you outline, mine was also perfectly pleasant.

The OP"s notification of a call is however Not, I believe part of any planned reaching out exercise for those on PUP, they don't clarify if they are on PUP or another payment.

Great, the fact there was an alert that there was a systems issue suggests all will be fine, Plus you have screen shots etc

I'm sure it will be fine, if you can, I'd take a screen shot of original thank you for confirming eligibility and if there's any issue (I don't think there will be), you can email the screenshot over etc etc.

It looks like a very small amount of people affected by this issue and unfortunate absolutely no announcements about it by DEASP, leading to unnecessary concern for those impacted.

I see DEASP has extended by a full week the cut off point to confirm PUP eligibility, new date 27th July

Latest Updates

29 July

August Bank Holiday Payment Arrangements and Opening Hours

Monday 2 August is a Bank Holiday and as a result any Social Welfare payments due to be in your account on Monday 2 August will now be paid on Friday 30 July instead.

Not sure if this includes PUP but last few B/H Weekends it was paid late Friday, early Sat depending on your banks processing days for electronic transfers.

Hi,

My understanding is they'll make contact with those who's rate reduces to the lowest amount, the first tranche is on the 7th September. Students returning to full time education will lose PUP on that date, presumably last payment the following week. It's likely they won't qualify for JSA as this was case before PUP was introduced.

Those moving to €250 on pup will transition in November I believe.

I'd expect either contacts to be made in the coming weeks and there'll be customer notices on the DEASP website very soon.

It really has not been clarified what the process will be, all that's been said is claimants with Transfer to JSA terms but I'd certainly expect an application process, means test etc will be required.

If I see anything I'll post here 😉

Morning, so sorry to hear this. When were you informed of suspension?

So as to be clear, you had occasional work and during those times, you closed your pup payment? and then reapplied?

Was this work recent or more than a few months ago?

SW generally get a monthly update from Revenue of payroll data, it is this that SW cross reference to insure anyone on PUP is not earning taxable income, the time frame not precise so there could be a delay, depending on how an employer submits payroll data.

If you are confident you closed PUP at any stage you were in receipt of Income, I see no reas3why you can not appeal. My initial thought is your employer may have delayed a return and it may appear you were earning whilst on PUP.

I'M a liitle confused about the time sheets your mentioning, the only information SW are looking at is taxable income at the same time as PUP payment.

There is an appeals process listed on the website and I'd follow that, I'd also see if your employer could confirm dates you actually worked ASAP.

I've mentioned this before, any income, holiday pay, owed wages etc that is paid through payroll innocently and ligitimately, whilst on PUP causes serious problems. Hopefully you can get this resolved but it can take time.

Yes, I can see what's happened here and its quite disgraceful people being suspended without at least seeking an explanation. Honestly I think the only way to explain this quickly is to see if your employer could confirm the dates you actually worked, this can then be easily reconciled with the dates you correctly closed your pup payment. Even an email from employer, you could forward to SW by way of an explanation.

I'm confident you'll be reinstated, it's just the time it takes, get cracking with employer ASAP. 😉

Hi, that seems quite extraordinary, the bit from local SW office, they seem to be suggesting, close a pup payment before a person entitled to JSA, or when a person's PUP ends, then apply, seems very bizzare. This would mean people will could potentially go for a period with no income albeit JSA (if approved) is supposed to be back dated to date of application.

Conversely if someone currently on PUP, decides to make an application in advance of it ending, they may potentially have their PUP closed. (basically a person can not apply for a jobseekers payment while on pup)

I'd expect some better guidence on this, later in the week, I'd be surprised if they allow 1000"s of people left high and dry while awaiting a decision on a JSA application. There's also a storm brewing in the entertainment and other industries still fully closed.

At a minimum, I had expected people on PUP that's due to end, would be permitted a brief window to apply for JSA 🤔

Doesn't PUP continue until next year all be it gradually being at a reduced rate?

Hi, not quite, from the 7th September all students returning to full time education loose it, all recepients on the the lowest rate of €203 and €250 essentially loose it and "Transition, as its being mooted , to JSA terms" basically if you reach the €203 payment after reduction, you transition to JSA.

Those ON €300 reduce to €250, those on €350 reduce to €300 on the 7th September, moving on to November, those on €250 reduce to €203 and transition etc etc, basically by Feb 2022, everyone off pup with only a few remaining on it after November 2021.

The problem is, what does transition Actually mean, its assumed an application for JSA is required, but technically you can't apply for JSA until you close your PUP, normally only done if returning to work.

Secondly, there are still a number of sectors still closed and also many self employed on PUP, what is going to happen here 🤔

It's been my understanding that those in receipt of PUP also received a PRSI credit. Essentially so there would be no break in their already paid contributions when the time came for them to apply for dental/optical benefit, pension etc.

I get that students on the lowest rate of PUP and those returning to full time education revert to JSA terms. But I wonder if those PRSI credits are taken into account when calculating those applying for JSB? Which is obviousy not means tested and I would assume a quicker transition.

Unfortunately I don't have full mygovid access as I can't get a PSC card (unless they've changed the process on applying for one).

I didn't know someone applying for Jobseekers had the option between JSA or JSB. Worth remembering should the time come. Particularly, as you rightly state.. JSB uses up contributions. If the option is given, JSA might be the better choice. Although I doubt you would receive a credit while in receipt of JSA so there would still be a break in contributions. Requires further looking into.

That's really a positive development, I'll read shortly, I felt and mentioned it was going to be very difficult to penalise those in sectors still closed or impacted.

So basically rates will reduced as planned from 14th September and those on lowest rate won't have to move (apply) for JSA /JSB.

The Taoiseach hinted at this for those in entertainment industry earlier in the week in an interview on the news at one, it seems they are including every sector which seems fair.

The statement mentions department will write to those affected at the end of September, so at least some guidance will be given and a few extra weeks for those affected to be prepared, seems fair.

I'm curious how self employed on PUP are impacted by all of this, I presume in the same situation, there was a thread re self employed but went very quite months ago. Like Artists, musicians, students etc, I'd assume they may not be eligible for a jobseekers payment 🤔

I think your right 😉 for my sins, I spent most of my career in hospitality, but left that sector 8 years ago 🙄

Correct nothing showing for 2021, I'm referring to the most up to date as in applicable years relevant to a claim, for example if a claim is being made in 2021, they look at previous years, 2019/20 , not current year claim being made , if I'm making sense.

I presume contributions for current year uploaded at years end .

I've seen this happen before. The payment is made a week in arrears. As you closed on a Monday ,you would have been entitled to the full week ahead and your week in arrears so yes, I believe its correct. Basically if you claim for any part of a week (Monday to Friday) they pay the full week .

Hi, it's never been available to anyone on PUP even with rates of payments reduced, its not even available to other payments, such as illness benefit and the rule regarding being entitled to those on JSA remains, in essence only being entitled to it after being on JSA for 12 months ( I thought it was 15 months 🤔) , obviously those fortunate enough to be entitled will welcome the €5 pw increase from midnight tonight.