Part-Time Job Incentive Scheme

The Part-Time Job Incentive Scheme (PTJI) is a scheme which allows persons who are long-term unemployed to take up part-time employment for less than 24 hours per week and receive a special weekly income supplement. You must be genuinely seeking work and available for full-time work while you are on PTJI.

You may qualify for PTJI if you are fully unemployed, in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance for at least 312 days and in receipt of a higher rate of jobseeker's allowance than the rate which you would be entitled to on Part-Time Job Incentive.

You must agree to remain on the scheme for at least two months.

You must pay a PRSI contribution at class A or J and the total hours you work must be less than 24 per week. If you earn €38.00 or more a week, it will be insurable at Class A. If you earn less than €38.00, it will be insurable at Class J.

If your PTJI claim stops without using up the full entitlement because your part-time job ends, and you then get another part-time job within 52 weeks of the original job ending, the remaining entitlement of PTJI may continue with the new employer.

You may have more than one job provided the jobs satisfy the conditions for PTJI and the total number of hours worked is less than 24 each week.

Smallholders are not permitted to take part in the scheme.

If you are under 25 year and wish to qualify for PTJI, your rate of Jobseeker’s Allowance must be higher than the rate of PTJI that you are entitled to.

As the age related rate of Jobseeker’s Allowance applies to people under 25 years, you will not qualify for PTJI. However, if a person under 25 years is on the maximum rate of Jobseeker’s Allowance due to one of the categories deemed to be exempt from the under 25 age related rates, you may qualify for PTJI provided all the other conditions are satisfied.

You will get a weekly allowance of:

• €154.60 per week if you are single
• €252.10 for a couple

There are no increases in these rates for any children. The allowance is paid regardless of how much you earn in your job. However, your wages will be taxable in the usual way.

Payment is made each week to your bank account.

Both you and your employer must complete form PTJI 2 at the end of each 4-week period. This is necessary to confirm that you worked for less than 24 hours each week and that you are insurably employed.

To avoid any break in your payment, it is recommended that the completed form is returned promptly to your local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office.

Once you have secured a part-time job, you should contact your Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office to apply. You will be asked to complete the application form PTJI 1 and give details of your part-time employment.

Complete application form PTJI 1 (linked below) and return it to your local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office. The Case Manager there will be able to give you more information on the Part-Time Job Incentive Scheme and on any other available options.

Your employer must complete form PTJI2 at the end of each 4-week period to confirm the hours that you worked and that you are insurably employed. You must sign a declaration (using the same form) confirming that you worked less than 24 hours each week.

You must return this form to your local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office. If there is any delay in returning this form, payment is suspended until the form is received.

Payment is made weekly into your bank account.

Operational Guidelines: Part-Time Job Incentive Scheme