Dole: How long to wait for dole?

Dole: How long to wait for dole? I would say it's really depends on your luck and the bunch of people in social welfare center...

Here are few articles from internet which might give us an idea of time (please notice the time of weeks is increasing with every article)!

• Waiting time in Gorey for dole payments is longest in county (2.41 weeks)
• New Cork jobless waiting seven weeks for dole
• Dole cash can take 10 weeks, minister admits
• 3-month delay for dole pay-outs
• Newly unemployed wait 15 weeks for dole
• Kells now has longest wait times for dole payments (16 weeks)

If you are still waitng for your dole cheque call to Social Welfare 1890 20 23 25 or please contact the Information Section info@welfare.ie Give them your PPS number and name.

Plus here is a quick link for Adress and Phone number Finder for Social Welfare and other offices.

How to sign on for the dole guide

Here is a very good guide on how to sign on for the dole.

Signing on: a step-by-step guide

1 If you lose your job you are entitled to claim either jobseekers benefit or jobseekers allowance from the Department of Social and Family Affairs.

2 You qualify for jobseekers benefit if you have paid 104 PRSI contributions, or “stamps”, since first starting work. Thirty-nine payments must have been paid in the relevant tax year. This benefit is not means-tested. (If you are unsure about your PRSI record, you can contact the Department of Social and Family Affairs at 01-7043000 and ask for the PRSI section.)

3 If you don’t have enough “stamps” you can apply for jobseekers allowance, which is means-tested.
4 You must make an appointment with your local social welfare office to make a claim. To check where your nearest dole office is, go to www.welfare.ie

5 Depending on what part of the country you live in, an appointment can take up to two weeks.

6 You are required to bring a range of documentation (again go to www.welfare.ie for the complete list), including a P45, P60, proof of identity and residence, and an RP50 form if you have been made redundant. You will also be expected to provide proof that you are making efforts to seek work.

7 At this meeting your claim will be discussed and forms filled in. According to the department, the average processing time in December was two weeks for jobseekers benefit and five weeks for jobseekers allowance. However, in some parts of the country the processing time for the jobseekers allowance is as long as 15 weeks.

8 While waiting for a decision you can apply for a means-tested supplementary welfare allowance payment. Applications should be made to the Community Welfare Office at your local health centre.

9 Once your claim has been authorised you will be obliged to sign on once a month at your dole office, and to collect your money once a week at the post office.

10 For advice, you can speak in confidence to the welfare-to-work section of the Irish National Organisation for the Unemployed ( www.inou.ie ) at 01-8560088, Monday to Friday, between 9.30am and 5pm or go to Social Welfare website - Unemployed section.

Taken from Irish Times - Article "Getting to grips with life on the dole"

Waiting for dole? What about waiting for 4 months?

I could not believe my eyes. Here is recent news from Irish Times: Newly unemployed wait 15 weeks for dole. What they say is be ready to wait up to 4 months to receive a dole. Unbelievable!

“Newly unemployed people are waiting almost four months for jobseeker’s allowance payments because social welfare offices are overwhelmed by the number of new applicants,” Ms Enright said.

So may people affected by this recession and all of them would have to wait for so many months...You can be already dead two times, bankrupt and your kids might starve to death... What about people who don't have jobs but still have to pay their enormous mortgages, loans, insurances and etc.