Unemployed Life
How to apply for a Jobseekers Payment
You should apply for Jobseeker's Benefit and/or Jobseeker’s Allowance the first day you become unemployed.
It is important to apply on the first day you become unemployed because, in general, you will not get paid for the first three days of your claim.
For Jobseeker's Benefit and Jobseeker’s Allowance application forms visit your Social Welfare Local Office or alternatively go online; you will find all relevant information at www.welfare.ie. You will also need to bring certain documents to prove your claim. If you do not have these documents to hand, you should apply anyway and supply them later. Below is a list of the items you may need to bring with you.
Habitual Residence Condition (HRC)
The Habitual Residence Condition is a qualifying condition for social welfare payments. Habitual Residence is a measure of your links with Ireland and also conveys an element of permanency. Certain people are exempt from this condition, mainly EEA nationals. If you are not exempt, a Deciding Officer will make the decision as to whether you meet HRC when you apply for job-seekers payments.
Qualifying for Redundancy Payment
The Redundancy Payments Acts 1967-2007 provide a minimum entitlement to a redundancy payment for employees who have a set period of service with an employer. Not all employees are entitled to this statutory redundancy payment, even where a redundancy occurs. To be eligible for a redundancy payment, you must satisfy the fol-lowing requirements:
You must be aged 16 or over. Since 8 May 2007 there is no upper age limit of 66.
You must be in employment that is insurable under the Social Welfare Acts. Full-time employees under the age of 66 must be paying Class A PRSI. (This insurability requirement does not apply to part-time workers - see below.)
You must have worked continuously for your employer for at least 104 weeks over the age of 16
For more information on redundancy entitlements contact your local Citizens Information Office or visit www.redundancy.ie
Glossary of Terms
|
ITEM |
DESCRIPTION |
|
Your Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) |
This is your unique number assigned to you for dealings with Social Welfare, Revenue and other public services. You can find it on documents such as pay slips and letters and documents issued by Revenue. |
|
Your P45 |
This is a form you will receive from your last employer detailing tax/PRSI paid to date in the current tax year |
|
Your P60 |
This is a form given to you each year by your employer |
|
Proof of your Identity |
Passport, driver’s license, credit card, debit card, medical card, age ID card, work ID card, club membership card |
|
Proof of Address |
Recent bills from utility companies/ statements/letters from financial institutions. Letters addressed to you from insurance companies, Local Authorities, Government departments, the Revenue Commissioners. Documents such as your Local authority rent book, mortgage or leasing agreement |
|
Details of your dependent children |
Birth Certificates School / Education institution information |
|
Details of your spouse/ partner's income (if any) |
Pay slips/ P60 |
|
Details of your income |
Pay slips / P45 / P60 |
|
Details of your availability for work and any efforts you have made to get work. |
For example, letters you have written to employers and any responses you have received |
|
If your days of work are reduced you must bring a letter from your employer stating the following: |
Your days at work have been reduced on a temporary basis ; The number of days you worked each week ;The number of days you now work each week The reduction in your pay. |
|
If you are laid off temporarily, you may or may not get a P45. If you don’t have a P45 you must bring a letter from your employer stating the following: |
You have been laid off work without pay The last day you worked The reason for the layoff, and; How long your employer expects you will be laid off. |
