The person concerned appealed the decision to disallow his claim for jobseeker’s allowance on the basis that his means were in excess of the permitted amount. As a result of this the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office recommended that a review of his means be carried out by the Social Welfare Local Office. Additional documentation was received from the person concerned and a review of his means was carried out. However the outcome of this review was that his means are still in excess of the permitted amount. He is entitled to appeal this new decision.
The following information was provided under Standing Order 40A
The position in the case of the person concerned is that their means from self-employment were initially assessed at €25,000.
The applicant submitted from his accountant documentary evidence stating that his recent annual earnings from self employment were €10,000.
My reply of 12 March 2013 stated that the applicant had provided evidence to dispute the assessment made. I wish to clarify that the assessment was based, inter alia, on the documentary evidence provided by the applicant. I regret if it was not clear in the reply that the most recent documentary evidence submitted by the applicant actually formed the basis of the assessment of self-employment income in this case.
On the basis of the documentary evidence provided a revised decision issued to the applicant on 14 February 2013. This revised decision reduced the amount of self-employment earnings assessable in the case but the applicant's total means remained in excess of the relevant statutory limit.
Subsequent to my reply of 12 March Deputy Shortall provided additional information to the Social Welfare Local Office. This information resulted in a further revised decision. Total means assessed are now €287.00 which means that a weekly payment of €25.80 has been awarded. This decision, communicated to the person concerned on 15 April, can again be appealed within 21 days of 15 April.
