20-05-2025
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.
