Job Seekers
With the current economic difficulties, many young people are finding it difficult to find long-term employment but while they are in pursuit of work, they may or not may not be entitled to subsistence from the state.
Some of the welfare schemes in place include: Jobseekers’ Benefit, Jobseekers’ Allowance, Back to Work Schemes, medical cards, fuel allowances and education allowances.
Please refer to the Department of Social Protection or the Citizens-Information website for further information and to see a complete list of your potential entitlements.
Jobseekers’ Benefit
What is Jobseekers’ Benefit?
Jobseekers’ Benefit is paid to individuals who have been recently made unemployed, where these individuals have paid social insurance contributions. The Benefit may be paid to eligible individuals for up to a maximum of twelve months.
Are there any eligibility criteria?
You must be unemployed and have paid social insurance contributions.
What are the rates of remuneration?
Average weekly earnings Maximum Rate*:
| Less than €150 | €88.10
| €150 - €219.99 | €126.60
| €220 - €299.99 | €153.60
| €300 or more | €196
*This rate changes, should there be any additional dependants.
How do I receive it?
You can collect the Jobseekers’ Benefit from your local post office on a weekly basis. You must present valid photographic identification when collecting the payment.
Jobseekers’ Allowance
What is Jobseeker’s Allowance?
Jobseeker’s Allowance is designed for individuals who have not paid sufficient social insurance contributions and thereby would not be eligible for Jobseeker’s Benefit. A distinction between the Jobseeker’s Allowance and the Jobseeker’s Benefit is that the Jobseeker’s Allowance is ‘means-tested’, whereby the Department of Social Protection will examine all of the individuals’ sources of income to establish whether they fall below a certain level.
Are there any eligibility criteria?
An individual must be unemployed to get Jobseeker’s Allowance and be actively in pursuit of full-time work. Should an individual’s hours be reduced at work, one may apply for Jobseekers’ Allowance for the days one is no longer working. If the applicant is under 24 and living in the family home, some of the income of ones parents may also be considered as part of the means-test. Should the individual work part-time in the mean-time, the level of income received from that will affect the amount of Jobseeker’s Allowance one if entitled to. You shall not be entitled to receive Jobseekers’ Allowance for the first nine weeks of unemployment, should you have left work voluntarily. Moreover, if you have just left secondary school, you are not entitled to Jobseekers’ Allowance until three months have passed.
What are the rates of remuneration?
Age Maximum Rate**
| 18 - 19 | €100
| 20 - 21 | €100
| 22 - 24 | €150
| 25 + | €196
**This rate changes, should there be any additional dependants.
How do I receive it?
You can collect the Jobseekers’ Benefit from your local post office on a weekly basis. You must present valid photographic identification when collecting the payment.
