What Social Welfare payments can I retain when I enter employment?

If you are unemployed and returning to work or education, you may be entitled to receive a social welfare payment. 

Work, study and social welfare payments

Your eligibility for a new or continued payment will depend on your circumstances, and the type of work or course you are participating in.

Can I work and claim social welfare payments?

Below is a list of some of the payments that you may be eligible for if you are working:

• Jobseeker’s Allowance and work
• Jobseeker’s Benefit and work
• Jobseeker’s Allowance and self-employment
• Working Family Payment
• Part-time Job Incentive Scheme
• Back to Work Enterprise Allowance

Can I be self-employed and receive social welfare payments?

If you are self-employed or plan to set up your own business, you may be eligible for one of the following social welfare payments: 

• Jobseeker’s Allowance and self-employment
• Back to Work Enterprise Allowance

Can I study and receive social welfare payments?

If you are unemployed and plan to return to education, you might be eligible for one of the following social welfare supports:

• Back to Education Initiative
• Back to Education Allowance – Second Level
• Back to Education Allowance – Third Level
• Back to Education Allowance – Postgraduate
• Vocational Training Opportunity Scheme

Find out more about these by calling in to your local Intreo Centre or social welfare office.

Learn more about social welfare supports and work.

Need more information?

We are here to answer your questions and talk through your options. Our online chat service is for 16 to 25 year olds and is available Monday to Friday, 4pm to 8pm. Chat to us now about your situation.

• Chat now to a trained Youth Information Officer

Or leave us a message and we will email you back