Pregnancy and Job Seekers Benefit

All ladies who are pregnant (even those who are heavily pregnant) are entitled to Job Seekers benefit (dole).

"Pregnancy is not an illness and in the absence of any complications of pregnancy or other illness, a pregnant woman (who may not be entitled to Maternity Benefit) satisfies the condition of being capable of work for the purpose of Jobseeker's Benefit throughout her pregnancy and in the period following the birth. She will also satisfy the availability condition unless there are other factors which could call her general availability for work into question. She must, however, continue to look for work throughout her pregnancy and in the period after the birth of her child in order to satisfy the condition of genuinely seeking work. On an administrative basis a woman will not normally be requested to prove that she is genuinely seeking work in the 4 weeks immediately before the expected date of birth of her child or in the 8 week period following the birth. She will not be required to attend at the Local Office for signing purpose during this period provided she tells the Local Office of her pregnancy."

So do we need to bring photo ID to post office or not?

So! Do we need to bring photo ID to post office or not?

Everyone is asking this question. People are lost. In my previous post I wrote about new rule of bringing ID to post office when collecting dole. Read here. Nobody knows if you are already required to bring you ID to the post office.

Following quiries from Northside People Newspaper on behalf concerned locals, the socila welfare told that post office workers have been told to use their discretion with the new checks. From Northside People

I'd say there are many people in panic as some of them don't have a driving licence or passport. Some people would need to spend € 80 to get a passport if the new rule will be applied.

No one really knows what is happening! What is your opinion on this?

You will need photo ID when collecting dole and other social welfare bebefits

Long time ago I told my partner, social welfare cards should have a photo or at least have a passport with you to prove that you are the person on the card. This swipe card can be used by anyone without any photo on it. Anyone can defraud! Finally!

As the numbers claiming welfare increases significantly, the Department of Social and Family Affairs is introducing stricter identity checks in Post Offices throughout the country for people collecting Social Welfare payments. Minister Mary Hanafin T.D., today (6^th April 2009) said that tighter security checks were necessary as part of the crackdown on those claiming a jobseeker payment but not resident in the state.

"People legitimately collecting a social welfare payment should be able to produce valid photographic ID, such as a Driving Licence, Passport or National Identity card. Staff working in Post Offices have to be satisfied that they are giving the right payment to the right person" said the Minister.

Notices will be displayed in all post offices throughout the country in the coming weeks advising customers collecting social welfare payments such as Jobseekers, One Parent Family Payment, Back to Work or Child Benefit payments that they must be able to produce a valid ID to collect their payment. An Post staff must be satisfied that they are making the correct payment to the right person. All claimants should be able to produce valid photographic ID when collecting a payment.

To read more go to Social Welfare Press Page.

Update: Till now you don't need to bring photo ID to the post office but I guess it might change in few weeks. I will keep you updated.

Collecting dole from post office...

Everyone signing on the Live Register from now on will have to collect their weekly benefit payment at a post office instead of it being paid automatically to their bank account.
You must collect your payment within three days of your payment day. After signing on, you will receive a letter saying when you can collect your first payment. Be careful not to miss it! If you do not collect it on time the payment will be returned to the department and there will be a delay in getting reissued to you.

What to bring to post office to collect dole? You will need to bring your swipe card (social services card) or a temprorary signing card (yellow), which you can get in your social welfare centre.

If you have any questions, please ask!