Claiming a payment

Making a Claim for Jobseekers Allowance/Jobseekers Benefit

It is extremely important that you have your application organised before approaching the Department of Social Protection to make a claim for a Jobseekers payment. It will aid the process and ensure that there are no unnecessary or avoidable delays in processing your application:

Documentation: You should ensure that you have all the necessary documentation organised in advance of making your claim.

Identity: You will need to provide proof of identity which can include: passport, driver's licence, Post Office book, bank statement, building society statement, credit union book, bank card, rent book, Child Benefit Book

Residence: You will also be required to provide proof of residence which can include: recent bills from utility companies e.g. electricity, telephone (landline or mobile), gas, cable television, waste charges, etc.; recent statements/correspondence from banks, building societies, credit unions, credit card companies or other financial institutions; recent letters addressed to you from insurance companies, local authorities, government departments or the Revenue Commissioners or a local authority rent book, mortgage or leasing agreement.

If you do not have any of the above documents to prove residence, you can provide bills in the name of a parent, spouse or partner which may be accepted.

Please note: In all above documents, photocopies will not be acceptable

For Jobseekers Benefit:

You will need to bring your P45 or a letter from your employer saying when you finished work. If you can supply a letter from your employer explaining the reasons for losing your job, through no fault of your own, it may speed up the processing time of your claim.

You will also need to provide your P60 and, if you have been made redundant, your RP50 form.

There are a number of other steps you should take before making your application:

1. Genuinely Seeking Work: You will be expected to provide proof of your efforts to Genuinely Seek Work upon your application for a Jobseeker's payment. This means that you need to show the Department of Social Protection that you have, and are, making reasonable efforts to find employment. The following steps outline a number of ways you can meet the GSW requirements as part of your ongoing jobseeking activities.

2. FÁS: FÁS are the state training and employment agency. There is an expectation that you will use this service to look for work and at training options as part of your jobseeking activities. You should be registered with FÁS as a Jobseeker before you make your claim and have copies/details of any jobs or training courses that you have applied for.

3. Jobs Clubs: Jobs Clubs are available as a support to jobseekers who require assistance in preparing their CV's, photocopying and e-mailing CV's. FÁS can provide information on your local Job Club. Having an up to date CV and use of Job Club facilities to find work will demonstrate your genuine efforts to seek work.

4. Employment Agencies: Another indication that you are 'genuinely seeking work' would be to register with employment agencies. You will find lists of Recruitment Agencies in the Golden Pages and on the internet through search engines such as Google and Yahoo. As most of these agencies have websites or e-mail addresses you can send in your C.V. by e-mail. Remember to keep copies of your e-mails as proof of your jobseeking efforts.

5. Newspapers: You will be expected to use the jobs sections in the newspapers to look for work. You should keep copies of all job advertisements you have replied to and any correspondence received.

6. Personal Contacts: You should keep records of all efforts to find work using your personal, family and business contacts. General details of who you spoke to, when you spoke to them and any outcome will prove useful

Lack of response to Job Applications:

A common concern expressed by jobseekers is that they do not receive any acknowledgment of an application for employment, and do not receive any correspondence if they are unsuccessful securing a job. For the purpose of Genuinely Seeking Work you, the jobseeker, should not be penalised if an employer does not acknowledge your application or does not advise you that you have been unsuccessful in obtaining the position.

Checklist for making your claim

1. You should apply for your Jobseeker's payment as soon as you can when you finish work, i.e. the first day you are unemployed. You will not get paid for the first three days of your claim. If you are finishing work in the near future, you should start organising your documentation for your Jobseeker's payment application while you are still working. This will help to speed things up.

2. You will be asked about the type of work you are looking for, what times you are available for work and the efforts you have made in seeking work. Be flexible in your answers and always think through the implications of what you are saying. You must show that you are looking for full-time work and that you are willing to accept any reasonable offer of employment based on your skills, qualifications and experience. In addition you must also show that you are willing to look at different types of work

3. If you have children you will need to explain your child-minding arrangements to the Department. They will want to be sure that you can take up a job at short notice. Bring a letter from a child minder saying that they are available to look after your children. If the Department think you do not have sufficient childcare arrangements your claim may be refused because you are not 'Available For Work'.

4. While you are waiting for a decision on your Jobseeker's claim, and if your income is not enough to meet your needs, you can apply for a means tested Supplementary Welfare Allowance payment. Applications for SWA payments should be made to the Community Welfare Officer at your local Health Centre.

• Community Welfare Officers may not make 'interim' Social Welfare payments while awaiting decisions. If you are refused an SWA payment you should apply to the CWO for either a Basic Weekly Payment, an Exceptional Needs Payment (ENP) or an Urgent Needs Payment (UNP) (see chapter 2) on the grounds that you have no income or means of support through no fault of your own. If you are refused you have the right to appeal - contact your local Centre for the Unemployed for information and assistance.

5. If you are in receipt of full-rate One-Parent Family Payment, Widow's or Widower's Pension or Deserted Wife's Benefit you can still claim JB (if you have the right number of contributions & satisfy the normal JB qualification conditions). In this case you would receive half the personal rate of JB and still hold on to your other Social Welfare payment in full. You will be required to satisfy the Genuinely Seeking Work conditions.