Am I eligible to receive social welfare payments?

If you become unemployed or have your work hours reduced, you might be eligible to receive social welfare payments such as Jobseeker’s Allowance, Jobseeker’s Benefit or Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit. Applying for social welfare payments when you lose work is known as signing on.

Am I entitled to social welfare payments?

You must meet certain conditions.

Do I qualify for social welfare payments?

You may qualify to receive a social welfare payment if any of the following apply to you:

• You lost your job
• You have been made redundant
• You have had your work hours reduced
• You work on a part-time or casual basis
• You are self-employed and the amount of work you are receiving has reduced

Can I claim social welfare if I leave my job?

If you leave your job voluntarily or as a result of misconduct, you have to wait nine weeks before you can get a jobseeker’s payment. However, if you have ‘good cause’ to leave your job voluntarily, such as changes in working conditions, reduction in pay or harassment from your employer, you may be entitled to payment. It is up to the Deciding Officer in your social welfare office or Intreo centre to make this decision.

What social welfare payments can I apply for?

There are three main jobseeker’s payments for unemployed people who are looking for work: Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit (JPRB), Jobseeker’s Benefit (JB), and Jobseeker’s Allowance (JA).

Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit is for people who become fully unemployed and who have enough PRSI contributions. The amount paid is linked to your previous earnings.

Jobseeker’s Benefit exists for certain groups, including part-time, casual, seasonal and short-time workers, some workers linked to the school or academic year, and certain self-employed people.

PRSI (Pay Related Social Insurance) is money deducted from your wages and paid into the social insurance system. Your PRSI record can help you qualify for payments such as JPRB or Jobseeker’s Benefit.

If you do not have enough PRSI contributions, or you have never worked, you may qualify for Jobseeker’s Allowance instead. Jobseeker’s Allowance is means-tested, which means your income and savings are assessed.

When you apply for a jobseeker’s payment, the Department of Social Protection will usually assess whether you qualify for a PRSI-based payment first. If you do not qualify, you may then be assessed for Jobseeker’s Allowance so you do not always need to make a separate application.

How do I sign on for social welfare payments?

To apply for a social welfare payment for the first time, you will need to go to your local Intreo or social welfare office and report to reception. A member of staff will check what you may be eligible for and make an appointment for you to meet with a Deciding Officer. They will also give you an application form and tell you what documents you need to bring to your appointment.

When you go to your appointment, the Deciding Officer will review and process your application. It is important to bring your application form and all of the required documents with you to your appointment. If you have all of the documents and have filled in the application form correctly, a decision about your payment will likely be made immediately.

If your application is approved, you will be expected to sign a Record of Mutual Commitments which explains the rights and the responsibilities you have while receiving a jobseeker’s payment.

Receiving social welfare payments

You will receive your social welfare payment weekly from your nearest Post Office. You will need to bring valid identification with you such as a Public Services Card, Driving licence, Passport, Irish Residence Permit card or National Identity Card.

You will usually have to go to your Intreo Centre or local social welfare office every month to declare that you are still looking for 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