How do I know if I can retain my social welfare?
What happens when I record my ‘expression of interest’?
Can I just contact the Provider without being registered with FÁS?
I have recorded my ‘expression of interest’ what do I do now?
Will I be interviewed?
What is a Graduate?
Should I inform DSP that I have started on WPP placement?
What will I be doing on my placement?
Will my placement be monitored?
Do I have to leave my placement to sign on during WPP?
Do I get holidays or time off during a placement?
What if the placement is not working out as I expected?
What if I get a job?
How do I know if I can retain my social welfare?
If you are unemployed and are currently in receipt of any of the following payments you may be able to retain your payment and entitlements while on a placement:
- Job Seeker’s Allowance
- Job Seeker’s Benefit
- Disability Allowance
- Blind Pension
- Invalidity Pension
- Illness Benefit
- Lone parents allowance
- Deserted Wives Benefit
- Widow/Widower's Pension
To be eligible to retain your payment you must have been unemployed and in receipt of some form of social welfare payment for at least three months.
If you are in receipt of Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, Invalidity Pension or Illness Benefit you must also apply to the Department of Social Protection (DSP) for an exemption to start a placement.
Note: Being on a placement does not extend your entitlement to a payment from DSP, your entitlement remains unchanged e.g. if you are in receipt of Job Seeker's Benefit (JB) and successfully get a placement, your entitlement to JB may run out during the placement. At that point you can apply for Jobseeker's Allowance (JA), which is subject to satisfying a means test, and you may not be awarded JA. You should take this into consideration when applying for a placement.
What happens when I record my ‘expression of interest’?
Your individual record is updated to show that you are interested and also eligible to apply for certain placements advertised. This is like a pre-check, where your educational level and type of qualification can be noted. If you are in receipt of a Social Welfare payment the type of payment you are on and the length of time you are claiming can also be checked. You will also be registered as being interested in WPP and if future positions come up that would suit you, FÁS will be able to contact you to let you know.
Can I just contact the Provider without being registered with FÁS?
We would not recommend that you do this, as it is possible that you might go through the process of being interviewed and selected by a Provider and only then find out then that you are not eligible to keep your social welfare payments while on the placement. It is best to check that you are eligible first, before you start applying for placements.
I have recorded my ‘expression of interest’ what do I do now?
You review the WPP opportunities to see what placements are on offer and contact the Providers to apply.
Will I be interviewed?
Each Provider will decide how they select the person for the placement. For example they may ask you to forward a CV and call you for an interview. When you make contact with the Provider about the placements they will tell you more about their selection process.
What is a Graduate?
For the purpose of this programme you are a graduate if you have attained a full award at level 7 or above on the National Framework of Qualifications. E.g. Ordinary Bachelors Degree
Should I inform DSP that I have started on WPP placement?
Yes, someone in receipt of a social welfare payment must notify DSP when there is any change in their status. Commencing WPP is a change in status.
What will I be doing on my placement?
At the time of application the Provider filled out an application form that described in detail the work that you will be doing and also the type of experience that you will be offered during the placement. This information was summarised on the WPP offer displayed on the FÁS job Bank. The Provider is required to provide you with a copy of the full application when you start the placement so that you know what to expect.
Will my placement be monitored?
Yes, within two months of starting your placement your placement will be monitored. In preparation for this visit, you and your Provider will complete a short Progress Report so that you can meet and reflect on how the placement is going. This may be an opportunity for you to look for experience in a different area or get feedback on how you are progressing.
Do I have to leave my placement to sign on during WPP?
No. DSP have made provision for those on WPP to sign by post. Please arrange this with your local social welfare office.
Do I get time off during a placement?
Although you are not an employee of the company you should still be given adequate time off for rest during the placement. Participants would expect to given whatever the standard company holidays are pro rata for the placement duration. For Participants on the WPP that are in receipt of a social welfare payment, if they have the agreement of the Provider to take a certain numbers of days leave, they are also required to notify their local DSP office, in advance, so that the leave can be approved by DSP and the necessary payment arrangements put in place.
What if the placement is not working out as I expected?
If you are having difficulties you should discuss this with the person that is supervising your placement. If you cannot resolve the issue you should contact the office that is handling your placement. Should you wish to leave the placement you have the option to leave the placement on foot of ones weeks notice to the Provider and to FÁS.
What if I get a job?
If you get paid work that is great! If you get a job during the placement you are under no obligation to stay, again you should give the Provider and FÁS one weeks notice that you are leaving. In June 2010 the government announced a new Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) exemption scheme. The Employer Job (PRSI) Incentive Scheme means that when an employer employs additional eligible workers in 2010, they will not have to pay employer’s PRSI in respect of their employment for twelve months from the date. After completing three months on a work placement a Participant may qualify as an ‘eligible worker’ under this scheme.
