A new social welfare payment of up to €450 weekly will be available soon, starting March 31. This benefit links payments to previous earnings for eligible individuals.
Dublin: Big news for job seekers! Starting March 31, thousands can claim a new social welfare payment. This could be up to €450 a week, depending on your past earnings.
The new Pay-Related Jobseeker’s Benefit will help those who lose their jobs after March 31, 2025. To qualify, you need to have made enough PRSI contributions.
To be eligible, you must meet three main conditions. First, you need at least 104 PRSI contributions. Second, you should have made at least 4 contributions in the 10 weeks before applying. Lastly, you need 26 contributions in the year before you become unemployed.
If you were on another benefit, like Maternity or Illness Benefit, different rules apply. So, check your situation!
Now, about the payment amounts. If you have over 5 years of contributions, you’ll get 60% of your previous earnings for the first three months, up to €450. After that, it drops to 55% for another three months, with a max of €375. Then, it goes to 50% for the next three months, capped at €300. If you have 2 to 5 years of contributions, you’ll get 50% of your earnings, up to €300 for six months. The minimum payment is €125.
Details on how to apply will come soon. If you’re unemployed now, you can still apply for the current Jobseeker’s Benefit. If you’re already receiving it when the new benefit starts, you’ll stay on that until it ends or you find work.
