Latest news with #Jobseeker'sBenefit
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Major 72-hour ‘not available' social welfare warning for thousands of Irish TOMORROW amid service maintenance
A MAJOR warning has been issued to social welfare recipients as a key online service is set to be unavailable for 72 hours. The Work will be carried out over the June Bank Holiday weekend, meaning the And it will remain unavailable until 8am on Tuesday June 3. In an alert displayed on the website said: "Please note: Update to maintenance window. "Due to essential maintenance, MyWelfare will be offline over the June bank holiday weekend, from 08:00 Saturday 31st May to 08:00 Tuesday 3rd June. READ MORE IN MONEY "We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause." This will mean thousands of people across the country will not be able to access their MyWelfare accounts until well in to next week. The MyWelfare website gives users access to a range of services such as applying for the Jobseeker's Benefit, Child Benefit and Maternity payments. Here you can also access the pathways to work section, apply or manage disability payments, carer payments and pensions. MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN With the website down you will also be unable to access civil registration services or make appeals or view claims. New online application system opens for €360 or €180 Domiciliary Care Allowance applications During this window some people will also be unable to access their MyGovID. However, not all users will be impacted. Welfare bosses explained: "You will also be unable to verify your basic MyGovID account during this timeframe. "If your account is already verified, you will still be able to access it. "Should the maintenance be completed ahead of schedule, these systems may become available before 8am on Tuesday, 3 June 2025." They added: "We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused." PAYMENT CHANGES THIS WEEK There will also be The bank holiday Monday falls on June 2 and people will see a change to their Due to the bank holiday, This means that anyone who was expecting to be paid on Monday will most likely be paid early. It's expected that people will see the payment in their account on Friday May 30. The payment schedule will then go back to normal on Tuesday June 3. At this stage the website should also have returned to normal. 1 Key groups will be impacted Credit: Getty Images
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
New €450 weekly social welfare cash WON'T be paid to key workers group after scheme axe as ‘patterns' decision confirmed
A NEW €450 weekly social welfare cash scheme WON'T be paid out to a key workers group, it's been confirmed. The government earlier this year axed the Jobseeker's Benefit scheme in favour of a 1 Minister Dara Calleary confirmed the cash won't be available to certain employees out of work Credit: JOHN MCELROY The contribution history who becomes unemployed. The "landmark" scheme Those - which is available in three different rates - qualify based on the number of personal they have made. READ MORE IN MONEY A total of 60 per cent of your prior income will be available for people who have made at least five years worth of PRSI contributions, which amounts to a maximum of €450. This will be paid for the first three months that a person is The third rate will be a maximum of €300 and is based on 50 per cent of the prior income, being paid over the final three months. The minimum payment rate available is €125 but those over 25 may qualify for more if they have children. MOST READ IN THE IRISH SUN And In a Dail parliamentary question, Sinn Fein TD Padraig Mac Lochlainn queried if "post-primary teachers will be entitled to pay-related jobseeker's benefit when they become unemployed at the end of this academic year in May 2025 and where they have been unable to secure an employment contract for September 2025 ". Social Protection Minister Dara Calleary said: "Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit is a new social insurance income support which has replaced the Jobseeker's Benefit scheme for people who are fully unemployed, who have become unemployed since 31 March 2025 and who meet the statutory conditions of the scheme. "The legislation provides that those whose employment involves a recurring pattern of employment and unemployment reflecting the academic year are not eligible for the scheme. "Factors taken into account include the pattern of the employment or previous employment of the person and the typical employment patterns in the sector in which the person is normally employed or was previously employed. "Teachers who are out of contract and are seeking to return to employment can claim the PRSI-based insurance Jobseeker's Benefit or the means-tested Jobseeker's Allowance. "There is no change to the income supports to which such persons are entitled." People may get Jobseeker's Benefit if they don't qualify for the new Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit if they are a part-time, casual or seasonal worker, a short-time worker, a retained fire fighter or temporarily laid-off work continuously at specific times during the year, for example, their employment is based around the school or academic year. AM I ELIGIBLE FOR NEW PAY-RELATED BENEFIT SCHEME? THERE are a number of different criteria that those seeking the new Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit scheme must meet. You must have paid at least 104 PRSI insurable employment contributions at Class A, H or P. You also need to have paid at least four PRSI insurable employment contributions at Class A or H in the 10 weeks before applying. Applicants must also have paid at least 26 PRSI insurable employment contributions at Class A or H in the 52 weeks before your first day of unemployment. You could be disqualified from getting Jobseeker's Allowance for up to nine weeks if you: Left work voluntarily and without just cause Lost your job through misconduct Refused an offer of suitable employment or training and you have been on a penalty rate of JA for at least 21 days You should apply for Jobseeker's Allowance the first day you become unemployed as it is not paid out for the first three days. For Jobseeker's Benefit, you must pay Class A, H or P PRSI contributions. Class A is the one paid by most employees. Class H is paid by soldiers, reservists and temporary army nurses. To qualify, you need at least 104 weeks of Class A, H or P PRSI paid contributions or at least 156 Class S PRSI contributions since you first started work. Meanwhile, Jobseeker's Allowance is a means-tested payment, so your income must be below a certain amount to get it. And to qualify, you must be looking for full-time work – and you must be able to show proof of this to the Department. The maximum personal weekly rate for Jobseeker's Allowance is €244. But core social welfare payments like the Jobseeker's Allowance CASH BOOST CALLS Social Justice Ireland's Susanne Rogers said payments needed to be increased to ensure those relying on social welfare are not "falling behind" others in society. She told the Irish Sun: "According to our calculations, if core social welfare rates were bench marked at 27.5 per cent of average earnings, the payment would currently be €266 a week, not €244 a week. "This level would mean that those relying on social welfare for all or part of their income would not be falling further behind the rest of society. "Every household in the country has seen their bills increase for the essentials - food and energy in particular. "Low income households however, have stark choices to make between those essentials when costs rise and income doesn' heat or eat response." She added that the She said: "Government must commit to bench marking payments so that those households are afforded an income level that provides for a basic but decent standard of living. "Government has anti-poverty commitments in both the Roadmap for Social Inclusion and the Sustainable Development Goals and cannot hope to meet them unless core welfare rates are addressed."
Dublin Live
20-05-2025
- General
- Dublin Live
Social welfare Ireland: One group can double weekly payment by meeting one criteria
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info One group of social welfare recipients can double their weekly payment by meeting one criteria. There are different rates available for those receiving Jobseeker's Allowance, depending on their age and status. However, if you are aged between 18 and 24 and are not living independently, you are entitled to a maximum personal rate of €153.70, with an increase for an adult dependant of €153.70 - which means that you can double your weekly payment. What is Jobseeker's Allowance? Jobseeker's Allowance is a payment to people who are unemployed. If you are unemployed, you can apply for Jobseeker's Allowance (JA) or Jobseeker's Benefit (JB). You can apply for JA, if you have been on JB and your payment has ended. You can also apply for JA, if you are only entitled to a reduced rate of JB and would be better off on JA (this is known as Optional JA.) Jobseeker's Allowance is a means-tested payment, so your income must be below a certain amount to get JA. If you are parenting alone, you can apply for the Jobseeker's Transitional payment (JST). It provides support to lone parents who have young children aged between 7 and 13. How to qualify for Jobseeker's Allowance? To get JA, you must be aged 18 or over and under 66. You must also: Be fully unemployed (or work for 3 days a week or less) Be available for full-time work and genuinely seeking work Be capable of work Pass a means test Meet the habitual residence condition You can find out more information about these criteria here. Rate of Jobseeker's Allowance The rate of JA that you are entitled to depends on your age and living arrangements. If you are aged 25 and over, you are entitled to a maximum personal rate of €244, with an increase for an adult dependant of €162. If you are aged between 18 and 24 and living independently, you are eligible for the same rates. Both of these groupos are also eligible for the Child Support Payment too. If you are aged between 18 and 24 and are not living independently, you are entitled to a maximum personal rate of €153.70, with an increase for an adult dependant of €153.70. You can find out more information here. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
The Irish Sun
07-05-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Major €244 social welfare CUT in blow for more than 3k Irish people as ‘final step' move over key rule warning
OVER 3,000 people across Ireland have had their social welfare payments reduced this year amid a warning that they can be "disqualified from their payment for up to nine weeks". Official figures revealed that welfare cuts for those out-of-work have increased more than 58 per cent compared to the same period last year. Advertisement 2 Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary issued the cut warning Credit: Getty Images The benefits were slashed due to a lack of engagement with the Government's Intreo Employment Services. Official figures provided in response to a parliamentary question by People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy show that 3,008 unemployed individuals had their However, Social Protection Minister He said: "This reflects the concept of 'rights and responsibilities' whereby people who are unemployed have the right to an income support from the State and a right to be supported in their efforts to secure employment, but also have a responsibility to seek employment and to engage with the employment services offered by the State. Advertisement Read more in Money "Customers who do not engage with the Intreo Employment Service or who fail to participate in appropriate employment interventions can have their jobseeker's payment reduced and subsequently be disqualified from their payment for up to nine weeks. "They may also have their entitlement to a Jobseekers payment reviewed based on a failure to genuinely seek work. "The weekly reduced rates applied for Jobseeker's Allowance and Jobseeker's Benefit increased from €44 to €90 from January 2025 and is set at 20 per cent for customers in receipt of the recently introduced Jobseeker's Pay Related Benefit." Intreo Employment Services supports jobseekers to find work. Advertisement Most read in Money Supports on offer include further education, training, upskilling and work placements as well as programmes such as Community Employment and TUS. Reduced rates were introduced in 2011 as a measure to encourage jobseekers to engage proactively with efforts to find a pathway to employment. Major warning over emergency social welfare scam texts as thousands could be targeted Minister Calleary stressed that a reduced rate is a "final step" in a process to encourage a jobseeker to avail of employment supports on offer. And once a jobseeker resumes this engagement the reduced Advertisement In 2024, 10,232 people had their social welfare payments reduced over the lack of engagement to find employment compared to 5,235 in 2023. This year, 760 people were impacted in January, followed by 1,360 in February and 888 in March. RATE REDUCTION RISK Minister Calleary added: "It is possible that a person may have multiple reduced rates applied throughout the course of the year." Jobseeker's Allowance is a payment to people who are unemployed. Advertisement You can apply for Jobseekers Allowance, if you have been on Jobseekers Benefit and your payment has ended or if you are only entitled to a reduced rate of JB and would be better off on JA. The maximum rate a person on Jobseeker's Allowance or Jobseeker's Benefit can receive is €244 on a personal rate. This number can increase based on the amount of adult dependents and dependent children there are in the household. 2 Welfare benefits can be slashed due to a lack of engagement with the employment services Credit: Getty Images - Getty Advertisement
Dublin Live
05-05-2025
- Business
- Dublin Live
Scheme allows you to keep full social welfare payment while working
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A scheme is available that allows those eligible to keep their full social welfare payment while they are working. The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) scheme encourages and supports people getting certain social welfare payments to become self-employed. If you take part in the BTWEA scheme you can keep a reducing percentage of your social welfare payment for up to two years. If you qualify for the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance, you can keep 100 per cent of your social welfare payment for the first year and 75 per cent for the second year. This includes increases for a qualified adult and qualified children. Here's everything you need to know about the scheme: Who is eligible for the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance? You can qualify for a Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) if you are: 1. Setting up as self-employed in a new business that has been approved in advance in writing by an Employment Personal Adviser (formerly known as a Case Officer) and a Local Development Company (see 'How to apply' below) and 2. Getting Jobseeker's Benefit (JB)* or Jobseeker's Allowance (JA) continuously for at least 9 months (234 days). If you have been getting either of these payments continuously for 12 months (312 days) immediately before BTWEA, you can have a maximum of 30 days off the Live Register during this time (*with an underlying entitlement to Jobseeker's Allowance - see 'Jobseeker's Benefit and underlying entitlement to JA' below) or Getting one of the qualifying payments below continuously for at least 9 months: Jobseeker's Transitional payment (JST) One-Parent Family Payment (OFP) Blind Pension Disability Allowance Carer's Allowance (full rate) - having stopped caring duties Deserted Wife's Benefit/Allowance Farm Assist - the new business cannot be in relation to the farm holding or the continuation of an existing business Invalidity Pension Incapacity Supplement Widow's/Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Non-Contributory) Pension or Qualifying from Illness Benefit: 3 out of last 5 years in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment or Combination of OFP/JST/JA continuously for 9 months Jobseeker's Benefit and underlying entitlement to Jobseeker's Allowance If you are on Jobseeker's Benefit, you need to have an underlying entitlement to Jobseeker's Allowance in order to qualify for BTWEA. Having an underlying entitlement to Jobseeker's Allowance means that you would pass the means test and other criteria for Jobseeker's Allowance. You cannot be claim BTWEA when you are in receipt of another primary DSP payment. The only exception to this is if you are getting BTWEA and you subsequently become entitled to the Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension. Being paid the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance is paid directly into your bank or building society account each week. The allowance cannot be paid into a mortgage account. You do not have to pay tax, PRSI or Universal Social Charge on the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance but you may have to pay tax, PRSI and Universal Social Charge on any income you get from self-employment. You must contact the DSP immediately if your self-employment ends or you take up employment. You are not allowed to enter into paid employment as an employee, either full-time or part-time, while getting BTWEA. Rates of Back to Work Enterprise Allowance If you qualify for the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance you can keep the following portion of your social welfare payment, including increases for a qualified adult and qualified children, for a maximum of 2 years: 100% for the 1st year 75% for the 2nd year You can find out more information here. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
