Madam, – I wish to compliment Tom Farrell (October 1st) for his timely and well-expressed letter; for I am also one of the new “disappeared”.
I was made redundant through no fault of my own from the financial services in September 2008 (around the time of the banks bailout). I did get the jobseeker’s allowance for 12 months. When this was means tested after the year was up, I was told that my wife was earning more than the huge sum of €375 a week, so I was eligible to 0 euro. The fact that I have two huge mortgages that are in negative equity didn’t matter. The fact that I have paid taxes for almost 20 years doesn’t matter either.
I also went to claim mortgage allowance and was told that my wife worked over 30 hours (the cheek of her working!) and I was not eligible either.
Please include myself and Mr Farrell the next time you have to announce the new jobless figures. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – There seems to be some confusion among those writing to you about discrepancies in the numbers of people signing on.
Tom Farrell (October 1st) claims that those who do not pass the means test due to a partner or spouse’s earnings are not included in Government figures. In fact, everyone, regardless of means, who has been making PRSI contributions for a set period and then becomes unemployed receives job seeker’s benefit for up to one year. After which they become entitled to job seeker’s allowance, which is means-tested. If they do not pass the means test they are entitled receive PRSI credits for their time spent in unemployment. In order to do so they must sign on and are then included in the live register.
Mary O’Keeffe (October 6th) maintains that those who were formerly self-employed are “entitled to nothing” when their businesses collapse. While it is true that self-employed people are not entitled to Job Seeker’s Benefit, they are entitled to job seeker’s allowance if they pass the means test. If they do not pass the means test they can sign on for PRSI credits.
I suggest that anyone who is confused about their entitlements should use the Citizens Information service. There is an informative website and a phone line with very helpful men and women to answer queries. – Yours, etc,