Information correct as of 19 March 2020
COVID-19 (coronavirus) and Social Welfare Payments
Chamber Factsheet
The new legislation, which will go before the Dáil on Thursday, also provides for changes to remove the waiting period for payment of Jobseekers Benefit and Jobseekers Allowance in these circumstances.
This document gives a summary of social welfare payments available for people:
• With no work or reduced hours • Who are sick or who are looking after someone who is sick • Who cannot work because they are looking after children
The information set out here is likely to change in the week ahead so please consult the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection’s website for the most up-to-date information.
People with no work or reduced hours
1. COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment
Your employer may decide to close their business for this period and send you home. This is called a temporary lay-off. If your employer cannot pay for this period, you can apply for a special new COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment.
This new payment will be available to all employees and self-employed people who have lost employment due to a downturn in economic activity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The payment has a simple one–page application form and will be paid for a period of 6 weeks at a flat rate payment of €203 per week.
Please note that you do not need to visit an Intreo office to get this form (and you do not need to sign on at Intreo offices during the coronavirus restrictions). The form can be downloaded and printed from the above link and posted by Freepost to:
Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection FREEPOST PO Box 12896 Dublin 1.
After you have applied, please keep checking your bank account as payment may issue before the Department formally notifies you.
Information correct as of 19 March 2020
The COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment is designed to provide income security for a period during which you can apply for a full Jobseekers payment (and receive any additional entitlements backdated).1
NOTE: The COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment is a temporary payment to help you immediately. You will also need to apply for another social welfare payment:
Jobseeker’s Benefit (for employees) – based on your PRSI contributions
Jobseeker’s Benefit (Self-Employed) – based on PRSI contributions
Jobseeker’s Allowance – means tested
Short Time Work Support Payment – based on your PRSI contributions
2. Short Time Work Support
If your employer reduces your hours to 3 days or less per week from your normal full-time hours, you can apply for a payment called Short Time Work Support which is a form of Jobseeker’s Benefit.
Your employer can also put you on short-time working which is a more formal procedure and applies in the following situation:
• Due to a reduction in the amount of work to be done, your weekly pay is less than half your normal weekly pay or
• Your hours worked are reduced to less than half your normal weekly working hours.
The payment is made in respect of your regular salary for the days that you are no longer working. For example, If your working week has been reduced from a 5 day work pattern to a 3 day work pattern, you can receive support for the other 2 days.
Your rate of payment will depend on your average weekly earnings in the governing contribution year and the change in your work pattern. For example, if you are placed on a 3 day work pattern having previously worked 5 days, you may be entitled to up €81.20 for the 2 days you are no longer working. This represents two fifths of the maximum weekly rate of Jobseekers Benefit of €203.