Old Passport on citizenship application

[manny24]

Hi All,

I hope to hear some of your advice.

I have been granted the creche fee subsidy for my child who attending full time creche (nursery) through National Child Scheme (NCS) under income assessment application.

This subsidy will reduce part of the creche fee I am paying.

I am wondering if this subsidy will impact my citizenship application. Will it look like claiming social benefit?

Thanks in advance

[littlerr]

There are 2 parts to the programme. The universal part for children younger than 3 years old is not means-tested, while the second part is for those up to 15 years old and it is means-tested.

So yes it will affect citizenship applications.

[manny24]

Thank you @Littlerr for your response.

So based on this benefit, the citizenship application can be refused?

Or can they consider the fact I never applied any sort of social benefit for past years.

[manny24]

There are 2 parts to the programme. The universal part for children younger than 3 years old is not means-tested, while the second part is for those up to 15 years old and it is means-tested.

So yes it will affect citizenship applications.

If I decide to not use the subsidy code which I received, will it be still affect application?

Also the universal subsidy which is not means-tested, is it also impact the application?

[littlerr]

You are not supposed to use any means-tested social benefit for at least 3 years before the citizenship application.
The only exception to this is the PUP for COVID19.

[altalb]

If you are talking about ECCE "grant" ( some discount about 200 euro from the creche after the child is pre school age eligible) I have been granted years before the citizenship application and I got approved without any issue.

[Stanina]

You are not supposed to use any means-tested social benefit for at least 3 years before the citizenship application.
The only exception to this is the PUP for COVID19.

Is there a law or some official info regarding it?
I though the same but then smbd told me that they were on jobseeker allowance and still received citizenship. Couldn't find any confirmation that you should not use social benefits prior to citizenship application.

[littlerr]

You are not supposed to use any means-tested social benefit for at least 3 years before the citizenship application.
The only exception to this is the PUP for COVID19.

Is there a law or some official info regarding it?
I though the same but then smbd told me that they were on jobseeker allowance and still received citizenship. Couldn't find any confirmation that you should not use social benefits prior to citizenship application.

There isn’t a hard and fast rule to prohibit anyone from applying for citizenship if they have received social benefits in the past 3 years. However, the sole reason they ask you to fill in Section 9 of Form 8 is to check whether you are considered as a good citizen.

It provides some flexibility when determining the eligibility of granting citizenship.

For example, if you are in genuine need of an unemployment payment for a few months because you lost your job, and you demonstrated that you have been trying to find a new job since you lost your last job, then it’s probably fine. If you just feel lazy, don’t want to work, and have never tried to find a new job, that would certainly cast a doubt.

Most solicitors will recommend that you do not use any social benefit for the 3 years prior to your application, just so that you don’t have to worry for the next whole year of whether you will be rejected or not.

[Vasya]

There are 2 parts to the programme. The universal part for children younger than 3 years old is not means-tested, while the second part is for those up to 15 years old and it is means-tested.

So yes it will affect citizenship applications.

Just to confirm. Do I understand correctly that the first part for children under 3 years old (this part is NOT means-tested) does NOT affect citizenship application?

[manny24]

I have managed to cancel the subsidy award since I haven't used the code which I got.

I wonder if they (inis) will still seeing it as social benefit claim? Even though I haven't used the subsidy code and cancelled it.
It is quite difficult to understand the rules since they are not clear explained.

[littlerr]

Just to confirm. Do I understand correctly that the first part for children under 3 years old (this part is NOT means-tested) does NOT affect citizenship application?

Correct. Non means-tested benefits do not affect citizenship applications (because they are available to all residents).

I have managed to cancel the subsidy award since I haven't used the code which I got.

I wonder if they (inis) will still seeing it as social benefit claim? Even though I haven't used the subsidy code and cancelled it.
It is quite difficult to understand the rules since they are not clear explained.

It shouldn't. When you submit your application, you can ask DEASP to issue you a letter to prove that you have not been in receipt of any means-tested social benefit payment.

[manny24]

@littlerr thank you for your helpful responses, I am really appreciating it.

Also thanks for everyone who contributed on this topic.

[manny24]

Hi All,

I am in the process of applying citizenship by naturalisation. My question is on 2018, I received paternity benefit, I have checked the welfare statement for the last 5 years and that is the only social welfare i have received.
I believe the paternity benefit is not the means-tested social welfares, how should I highlight it on the application form question 9.5?
Should I explain it with addition letter?

[littlerr]

If you are talking about the Maternity/Paternity Benefit based on PRSI, you do not need to put it on the form. Same for things like Illness Benefit, Treatment Benefit etc.

Just answer NO on Question 9.5. The question says ‘Social Assistance Payment’ / ‘State Support’, which are for means-rested payments.

You can of course still attach the DEASP letter and add a brief cover letter to explain that your only social welfare payment is the PRSI paternity benefit. Some staff in INIS are incredibly daft.

[manny24]

If you are talking about the Maternity/Paternity Benefit based on PRSI, you do not need to put it on the form. Same for things like Illness Benefit, Treatment Benefit etc.

Just answer NO on Question 9.5. The question says ‘Social Assistance Payment’ / ‘State Support’, which are for means-rested payments.

You can of course still attach the DEASP letter and add a brief cover letter to explain that your only social welfare payment is the PRSI paternity benefit. Some staff in INIS are incredibly daft.

Hi Littlerr, Thank you again. Yes it was the Maternity/Paternity Benefit based on PRSI, I think it will be a good idea to attach the DEASP statement with my application with cover letter to avoid some confusion.

[manny24]

Hi all,

Just a question on regarding on passports submission with citizenship application. Do I also need to submit the old passport which expired long way before I arrive in the state?
Or should I submit only passports valid during the residence in the state?
Quite confuse a little bit with this, any suggestion? Thanks.

[littlerr]

Read the instruction part of the Form 8 before you start your application. It has everything you need.

Page 2:

The original of your current passport and any previous passports valid during periods of residence in the State, together with a photocopy of the biometric page of each passport.

It will also tell you in a later section to enter the passport number you used to enter Ireland for the first time.

[manny24]

Read the instruction part of the Form 8 before you start your application. It has everything you need.

Page 2:

The original of your current passport and any previous passports valid during periods of residence in the State, together with a photocopy of the biometric page of each passport.

It will also tell you in a later section to enter the passport number you used to enter Ireland for the first time.

I read that part of the instruction, probably I was over-thinking it. Anyway thank you for the response.