A NEW social welfare payment is set to be available next month – and it pays up to €450 weekly.
The Pay-Related Jobseeker’s Benefit will be rolled out from March 31, providing a huge boost for thousands of people.
It will be available for those who become fully unemployed on or after March 31 and have enough pay-related social insurance contributions, also known as PRSI.
As part of the requirements for the social welfare payment, you must satisfy three main PRSI contribution conditions to avail of it.
The first condition is that you must have paid at least 104 PRSI insurable employment contributions at Class A, H or P.
The second condition is that you have paid at least 4 PRSI insurable employment contributions at Class A or H in the 10 weeks before applying.
The third condition is that you must have paid at least 26 PRSI insurable employment contributions at Class A or H in the 52 weeks before your first day of unemployment.
If you were receiving another benefit payment at the time of your job loss, such as Maternity Benefit or Illness Benefit, there will be other requirements.
More information on these arrangements will be available on the Government website soon.
There will be three different rates available, depending on your work history:
A top rate of a maximum of €450, or 60 per cent of your prior income, for people who have made at least five years of PRSI contributions.
The €450 rate will be paid for the first three months.
A second rate of a maximum of €375, or 55 per cent of your prior income – this will be paid for the following three months.
For the final three months, a third rate of a maximum of €300, or 50 per cent of your prior income.
For those who have between 2 and 5 years of paid contributions, the rate will be set at 50 per cent of previous earnings – this will be paid up to a maximum of €300 per week for six months.
The minimum rate of payment will be €125.
HOW TO APPLY?
To this date, the details on how to apply have not yet been released, but it is expected to come out in the coming weeks.
You can apply for the current Jobseeker’s Benefit program if you are unemployed.
NEW CHANGES FOR FEBRUARY
Social Welfare date change:
Due to the St Brigid’s Day Bank Holiday weekend, bank and post offices will be closed on Monday, February 3. This means that all social welfare payments are due to be paid on Monday was sent on Friday and Saturday before the closure.
Energy credits:
Announced in the Budget 2025, all domestic electricity customers would receive second instalment of €250 in credit towards their bills this month.
Revolut:
The banking company has announced that it will allow credit card customers to pay off their balance in instalments, meaning they can opt for repayments over three, six, nine and 12 months at a lower rate than their standard annual percentage rate.
Diageo:
The company has announced that the price of Guinness, Harp, Smithwicks and Hophouse 13 will increase from February 3 – the price of a pint is expected to increase to over €6 across the country.
You will continue to receive Jobseeker’s Benefit until your entitlement expires or you find new employment if you are currently receiving it when the new Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit begins.
You may get Jobseeker’s Payment if:
- You are over 18 years of age
- You are capable of work
- You are looking for work
- For Jobseeker’s Benefit, you have enough PRSI contributions
- For Jobseeker’s Allowance, you satisfy a means test
You will be asked for information about:
- Your details such as yourself, your address, any children and your relationship status
- About your employment history and training or education
- About how long you have lived in Ireland, your residences in other countries, and, depending on your circumstances, details about your right to reside in the country
- About any income, savings or investments you or your partner may have
This can be applied through the MyWelfare website, but you do require a verified MyGovID.
