Operational Guidelines: Jobseeker's Pay Related Benefit

In the case of a person who has 104 to 259 employment contributions paid since first entering employment, Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit is payable for a total of 26 weeks.

The rate payable is set as:

A person’s reckonable weekly earnings will be calculated based on the person’s reckonable gross earnings in the 52-week period ending 8 weeks before they became unemployed. This amount is divided by the total number of qualifying contributions paid at Class A and H, in that 52-week period. Exceptions apply where a person was previously in receipt of specific other social welfare payments – see Part 3 for further details.

A minimum rate of €125 applies to those who qualify to receive Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit for either 39 or 26 weeks.

Breaks in a Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit Claim

A person may break their Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit claim for up to 13 weeks and resume where they left off from the previous claim.

Breaks greater than 13 weeks will result in the claim being closed and a person will be required to re-qualify and satisfy the conditions of the scheme. The rate of payment will be re-calculated based on recent earnings as part of the re-application process.

Additional Increases

Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit is an individualised payment and based on a person’s previous earnings. There is no additional increase for a qualified adult or child support payment on Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit.

The means tested Jobseeker’s Allowance is available to applicants and, depending on a person’s individual circumstances, it may be more beneficial for them.

Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit and Jobseeker’s Allowance are not payable at the same time and time spent on Jobseeker’s Allowance is treated as if Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit has been paid.

Re-qualification for Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit

A person may requalify for Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit if:

• 1 full year (12 months) has lapsed since their last Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit claim
• they satisfy all the contribution conditions
• if a person was paid Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit within the previous 12 months of their new claim, any time spent on the scheme within the current and previous calendar year will be counted on their new claim for Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit, any time spent on Jobseeker’s Benefit within the previous 6 months will also be counted. If they were last paid outside this 12-month period – there is no impact on entitlement
• if a person was paid another Jobseeker’s payment that was awarded after 31 March 2025 within the previous 6 months of their new Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit claim, the time on the Jobseekers claim will be counted. This could include Jobseeker’s Benefit, Jobseeker’s Benefit (Self-Employed) or Jobseeker’s Allowance

Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit and Absence from the State

A person can be absent from the State for up to 2 weeks in a calendar year. This applies to all recipients including those in receipt of Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit who are between 65 and 66 years.

A person can also be absent from the State where they are representing Ireland in an amateur sporting event.

A person is required to inform their local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office two weeks in advance of their departure, and this can be done online through their verified MyWelfare.ie account. Alternatively, they can contact their local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office to complete the JPRB30 Absence from the State form.

All payments should be made retrospectively. It is not necessary for a person to present themselves at the office after their return in order for normal payments to resume and arrears due to issue. If a person is absent from the state for longer than two weeks, they may be paid in respect of the first two weeks but should be disqualified for any period abroad in excess of this.

Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit and Jobseeker’s Allowance/Farm Assist

Where one member of a couple is in receipt of Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit and the other member is in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance or Farm Assist, the rate of Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit is treated as means from another Social Welfare payment on the assessment for the other payment. The person in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance or Farm Assist will receive the full personal rate applicable to the scheme, and half rate child support payments for each qualified child, less half means from the Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit payment.

Where the combined household payment falls below the family rate for Jobseeker’s Allowance or Farm Assist as a result of this assessment, the Jobseeker’s Allowance or Farm Assist will be increased accordingly, taking account of any other household means. This ensures that where lower rates of Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit are in payment, that a minimum family rate of payment is maintained.

Jobseeker’s Allowance and Farm Assist claims will be reviewed every 13 weeks in line with the rate changes of Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit.

Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit and Illness Benefit & Occupational Injury Benefit

For existing Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit claims:

A person on an existing Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit claim who applies for Illness Benefit or Occupational Injury Benefit may return to their previous Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit claim once they are fit to resume employment and satisfy the conditions of the scheme. The new Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit claim must be made immediately after the Illness Benefit or Occupational Injury Benefit payment ceases.

For new Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit claims:

A person who was in receipt of Illness Benefit or Occupational Injury Benefit for a period immediately prior to becoming unemployed, may apply for Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit once they are fit to take up employment and meet the conditions of the scheme.

In order to qualify, a person must have:

• 104 Total Contributions Paid since first entry into employment
• have a combination of at least 4 credits and/or 4 paid employment contributions at Class A or H in the 10 weeks immediately prior to the week in which the application for Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit is made
• at least 1 PRSI employment contribution paid at Class A or H in the period prior to the start of the Illness Benefit or Occupational Injury Benefit claim
• 26 PRSI employment contributions paid at Class A or H in the previous 52 weeks prior to losing their employment or 26 PRSI employment contributions paid at Class A or H in the year prior to the start of the Illness Benefit or Occupational Injury Benefit claim

The rate of payment for these customers will be based on the more favourable of:

• average earnings in the previous year ending 8 weeks before they lost employment or

i* average earnings in the previous year before their claim for Illness Benefit or Occupational Injury Benefit or

• account may be taken of an increase in their average earnings during the period of their Illness Benefit or Occupational Injury Benefit claim (a person must show evidence of this)

Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit and other Social Protection Schemes

Where a person is in receipt of:

• Maternity Benefit
• Adoptive Benefit
• Unpaid Maternity Leave
• Unpaid Parental Leave
• Parent’s Benefit
• Paternity Benefit
• Health & Safety Benefit
• Carer’s Benefit

For existing customers

A person on an existing Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit claim who applies for one of the above schemes, may return to their previous Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit claim once the entitlement to the other scheme has ceased and they continue to meet the conditions of the scheme.

For new customers

A person who was in receipt of one of the above schemes for a period immediately prior to becoming unemployed, may apply for Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit once the entitlement to the other scheme has ceased and they meet the conditions of the scheme.

In order to qualify, a person must have:

• 104 Total Contributions Paid at Class A, H or P since first entry into employment, and
• 26 PRSI employment contributions paid at Class A or H or 26 Credited Contributions weeks in the previous 52 weeks prior to losing their employment or
• 26 PRSI employment contributions paid at Class A or H in the previous 52 weeks prior to their claim for the benefits listed above or the statutory leave listed above

Note: The normal requirement to have 4 PRSI employment contribution weeks in the period of 10 contribution weeks immediately prior to the week in which an application for Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit was made does not apply.

The rate of payment for these customers will be based on the more favourable of:

• average earnings in the previous year ending 8 weeks before they lost employment or
• average earnings in the previous year before their claim for the benefit or statutory leave listed above or
• account may be taken of an increase in their average earnings during the period of their claim for the benefits or leave listed above (a person must show evidence of this)

Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit and Overlapping Provisions

Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit is not payable to a person where they are already in receipt of another social welfare payment.

There are exceptions to the overlapping provisions in relation to.

Blind Pension

Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit may be paid to a person who is also in receipt of Blind Pension.

Disablement Benefit/Pension

Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit may be paid to a person, or in respect of a person who is in receipt of Disablement Benefit/Pension at the same time, but:

• where an increase in respect of unemployability is paid with the Disablement Benefit/Pension, Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit is not payable
• where an increase in respect of a constant attendance allowance is paid with the Disablement Benefit/Pension, Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit is not payable

Guardian's Payment

Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit may be paid to a person in receipt of a Guardian's Payment Contributory or Non-Contributory (including Death Benefit by way of Guardian's Payment), except where the person who is in receipt of the Guardian's Payment is, at the same time, also in receipt of either:

• Blind Pension
• Death Benefit by way of Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Contributory) Pension
• Deserted Wife's Benefit
• Widow's, Widower’s and Surviving Civil Partner’s (Non-Contributory) Pension
• One-Parent Family Payment

Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit and One-Parent Family Payment

Where a person in receipt of One-Parent Family Payment loses their employment and has means from employment on their claim, they may be entitled to Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit but must satisfy all the qualifying conditions for the payment. The Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit top-up rate, combined with the One-Parent Family Payment, must not exceed the maximum rate payable on Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit.

Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit and Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Contributory) Pension

Where a person in receipt of Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Contributory) Pension loses their employment and has means from employment on their claim, they may be entitled to Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit but must satisfy all the qualifying conditions for the payment. The Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit top-up rate, combined with the Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Contributory) Pension, must not exceed the maximum rate payable on Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit.

Making a Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit Claim

A person is required to make their application for Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit from their first day of unemployment by completing the online form through their verified MyWelfare.ie account or by completing the paper application form, JPRB 1, available at the relevant Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch office.

A person must have a Public Service Card and be at Safe Level 2 to receive payment from the Department of Social Protection.

A person who fails or refuses to engage with the authentication of their identity and attend appointments, supply the relevant documents etc., may be disqualified from receipt of payment.

When a person makes a claim, the address given by the person is accepted and there is no requirement to provide further documentary evidence.

However, if a Deciding Officer has a reasonable doubt surrounding a person’s address, they should request that the person provides evidence of address.

The onus is on the person to prove entitlement to Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit and to provide any evidence reasonably required. Where Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit is already in payment, the person is obliged to produce any supplementary information required to prove continuing entitlement and to notify any change of circumstances.

Late Claims

A person can be unemployed up to 6 weeks before making their claim for Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit and the claim back-dated to the date of unemployment. However, if a person does not make their claim within the first 6 weeks of becoming unemployed and wishes to have their claim backdated to the date of unemployment, they must show ‘good cause’ for the delay in making their claim.

For any period, a Deciding Officer deems a person has not shown ‘good cause’ for the delay in making their claim, that period will be deemed as if Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit has been paid and the duration will be deducted from the total claim entitlement.

A claim may be backdated for a maximum of 6 months where the person can prove to the satisfaction of the Deciding Officer or Appeals Officer that they satisfied the qualifying conditions throughout the period and that there was good cause for delay in making the claim.

Circumstances which may constitute 'good cause' for a delay in making a claim is not defined in legislation and Deciding Officers must decide each individual case on its merits.

In all cases, without exception, the maximum period that a claim may be backdated in this way is 6 months.

See separate Claims and Late Claims guideline

Investigation of Claims

A person should only be asked to contact their former employer in the limited circumstance where data required for a claim has not been updated by the employer. Form JPRB20 should issue to the employer to confirm the dates of employment and to establish the reason why the employment terminated.

The person's PRSI record is obtained from the Central Records Section of the department. If there is reason to believe that the employer has failed to pay contributions or has paid the incorrect amount of PRSI, the case is referred to a Social Welfare Inspector for investigation.

Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit and Voluntary Work

A jobseeker who engages in voluntary work within the State may continue to be entitled to a Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit provided that, in engaging in the voluntary work, they continue to satisfy the statutory conditions of being available for full-time work and genuinely seeking work.

Examples of volunteering roles in which jobseekers may engage include:

• helping the sick, elderly or persons with a disability
• assisting youth clubs, church groups, sports groups, cultural organisations, local resident associations

The groups involved may be nationally organised groups or local voluntary or community groups.

Aims of the Voluntary Work Option

The aim of the Voluntary Work Option is twofold, namely – to encourage voluntary organisations to involve jobseekers to the greatest extent possible in their existing activities by creating new opportunities for voluntary work and to inform jobseekers of their freedom to involve themselves in voluntary work and to encourage them to do so.

Applying for the Voluntary Work Option

The jobseeker or the voluntary organisation/group involved should request an application form VW 1 from the Local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office. The completed application form should be sent to the Local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office and a Deciding Officer will determine whether the customer may take up the work in question without affecting entitlement to Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit.

Decisions in relation to Voluntary Work

In considering an application, the Deciding Officer will determine whether the work concerned is voluntary within the meaning of the scheme and whether the jobseeker would continue to satisfy the statutory conditions for receiving Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit. The Deciding Officer will need to be satisfied that the jobseeker is available to take up employment, if offered it, and that they are making genuine efforts to find work. This applies whether the volunteering role is full-time or part-time.

While it is not possible to lay down hard and fast rules as to what constitutes voluntary work the position should be clear in most cases. Factors to be taken into account will include:

• the type of work involved
• the aims and standing of the organisation sponsoring the volunteering role
• the number of hours and days per week the volunteer will be in that role
• amount of any payment received by way of out-of-pocket expenses
• whether the volunteer was engaging in the volunteering role prior to unemployment

Voluntary work may normally involve only a few hours a day or a few days a week but full-time involvement in voluntary activities would not necessarily be ruled out. However, there should be no implication of job replacement or cheap labour. Any payment for the voluntary work should generally be limited to out-of-pocket expenses such as travelling expenses or meal allowances.

Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit and Education

A person shall be deemed to be available for full-time work while participating in a course of education, training or development approved by the Minister provided that:

• they are at least 21 years of age
• they have been in receipt of Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit for at least 26 weeks
• they have given prior notice of their intention to participate in the course

The course chosen must enhance the person's employment prospects. Courses must be approved by the department's Case Officers.

Once a person has been accepted on a course, they must notify the department by completing the Back to Education Allowance application form (BTE1), which is available from Intreo Centres or Social Welfare Branch Offices and the department’s website. The completed form should be returned to the relevant Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office for verification of the conditions regarding age and duration on the Live Register.

The form should then be forwarded by the office to a Case Officer for approval of the course. In determining whether participation in a course is likely to enhance the person's employment prospects, the Case Officer should have regard to the individual circumstances of the person concerned.

A broad range of courses may be approved, from personal development or basic education, through to general training or the acquisition of specific job skills.

Full-time day third level courses of education which are not:

• approved by the Department of Education and Skills for Higher education purposes
• approved for European Structural Fund purposes
• recognised by the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI Accredited)

may not be approved for the purposes of this provision.

Back to Education Allowance

Time spent on Back to Education will be treated as if Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit was paid. The rate of Back to Education Allowance payable will be the same as the rate a person would have received throughout their Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit claim.

Back To Education Allowance participants formerly in receipt of Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit are not entitled to be paid Back to Education Allowance during the summer months.

BTEA participants, based on the primary payment being Jobseekers Pay-Related Benefit, who are progressing to the next year of their course or who are progressing from second level to third level approved undergraduate qualifications or from undergraduate qualification to BTEA eligible postgraduate courses will have their BTEA reinstated from the commencement of the new academic year irrespective of whether they were in receipt of Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit for the summer period.

The Back to Education Allowance is a non-statutory, stand-alone scheme.

Part-Time Education

Persons who wish to pursue part time courses must demonstrate that their participation does not restrict reasonable availability for work. Where a person in receipt of Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit, is attending a part time course under the Back to Education - Part-Time Option on the understanding that the course will help to enhance their employment prospects, they should be encouraged to complete this course.

It should be noted, however, that attendance on a part-time course under the Back to Education - Part-Time Option is allowed on the clear understanding that availability for and genuinely seeking work opportunities must take precedence over course attendance, should a conflict arise.

Persons on course of education/training (part-time or full-time)

Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit is not payable where a person is in receipt of an allowance in respect of a course of education, training or development, including a course run by SOLAS/ Education & Training Boards. They do not continue to satisfy the conditions for receipt of Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit on the grounds that they are not considered to be available for full-time work.

Where the person is not in receipt of an allowance, the claim should be examined to determine if they continue to qualify for Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit under the Educational, Training & Development (E, T & D) option or the Part-Time Education Option (PTEO).

Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit and Non-EEA Nationals

Where a Non-EEA National makes a claim for Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit, they do not require a work permit if they are:

• an asylum seeker who has been granted refugee status
• the spouse/civil partner of an Irish or other EEA national
• the parent of an Irish born child
• a person who has been given temporary leave to remain in the State on humanitarian grounds

Their stamp should state that they are permitted to remain in Ireland until the expiry date of their stamp. Payment should not continue beyond the date the person is permitted to remain in the State. If a Non-EEA National works for a period of time and then loses their employment, they can make a claim for Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit provided they satisfy all other conditions. Payment of Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit is not payable unless the person has permission to remain in Ireland.

Residence certificate – Irish Residence Permit (IRP)

Non-EEA nationals who are resident in Ireland for more than 90 days are required to have permission to stay and to register this permission at a Registration Office. Upon registration, their passport is endorsed with the relevant Stamp, and they are issued with a registration certificate.

The registration certificate, which is known as the Irish Residence Permit (IRP).

GNIB cards will remain valid until their expiry date and will only be replaced with an IRP card if the holder’s registration is renewed. Holders of GNIB cards do not need to change their card for an IRP card while the GNIB card is still valid.

Credits

A credit is awarded for each week that Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit is paid.

Credited Contributions are awarded for the duration of disqualifications, subject to the conditions of being available for full-time, capable of and genuinely seeking work, being fulfilled.

Credited Contributions are not available to those between 66 and 70 years of age.

See separate Awarding Credits guidelines.</strong>

Procedures Following Award

Methods of Payment

Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit is paid weekly from the first Monday of unemployment to a person’s local post office. The payment will be made each Wednesday.

Signing Arrangements

It is for the Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office to decide how often the person must sign a declaration of unemployment, where and at what times. A person may be disallowed for failure to sign on.

Where a person fails to sign on their signing day, payment is suspended. If the person contacts the Intreo Centre or Branch Office, they will be asked why they didn't attend on the appointed day.

Where a Deciding Officer is satisfied that the person still satisfies the statutory conditions for Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit, the payment suspension is removed, and payment will issue.

Regular failure to attend on the appointed signing day may result in loss of payment.

Proving unemployment in the prescribed manner

It is a requirement that a person proves unemployment by attending their Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office or other designated place, on a day and at a time that an officer of the Minister may direct for the purpose of making a written declaration that they have been continuously unemployed since last signing day or that they expect to be unemployed for a future period.

Evidence of genuinely seeking work

Evidence of efforts to find work must be submitted by the person to the Deciding Officer when requested on a periodic basis. Such evidence would include responses to job applications, results of interviews, and list of employers that have been contacted regarding employment.

Review

A person's entitlement to Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit is reviewed on a continuing basis to ensure that they continue to satisfy the conditions of entitlement.

A review may be carried out where doubt arises about fulfilment of any of the conditions e.g. failure on the part of a person to produce sufficient evidence of genuinely seeking work, failure to prove unemployment in the prescribed manner and refusal to engage with the Employment Support Services.