Unemployed

The Department has a range of benefits available to people who are unemployed. The application forms for Jobseeker's Allowance and Benefit can be accessed through the Useful Links box on the right.
Jobseeker Supports
Jobseekers Benefit
If you are unemployed you may qualify for Jobseeker's Benefit (JB) which is based on your social insurance record. A fundamental qualifying condition for Jobseekers Benefit is that you must be available for full time work.
Jobseekers Allowance
If you are unemployed and do not qualify for Jobseekers Benefit you may qualify for Jobseeker's Allowance (JA) which is based on your weekly means
Jobseekers Benefit and Jobseekers Allowance Frequently Asked Questions
Supplementary Welfare Allowance
Supplementary Welfare Allowance
Supplementary Welfare Allowance is run by the Health Service Executive through Community Welfare Officers at local offices of the Health Service Executive. The Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme consists of a basic payment, called Supplementary Welfare Allowance, is a weekly allowance paid to people who do not have enough means to meet their needs and those of their qualified adult or any qualified children.
Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) - Will I Qualify?
Rent Supplement
If you are having difficulty paying your rent and you are getting a social welfare or Health Service Executive payment, you may qualify for a Rent Supplement.
Mortgage Interest Supplement
If you are having difficulty paying your mortgage and you are getting a social welfare or Health Service Executive payment, you may qualify for a Mortgage Interest Supplement.
Back to Work
Back to Work Allowance (Employees)
If you are getting certain social welfare payments, the Back to Work Allowance (BTWA) for employees can provide you with a financial cushion to help you to return to work. Under this scheme, you may keep a portion of your social welfare payment for 3 years, without having to pay tax or PRSI on it
Very Long Term Unemployed
The objective of the programme is to address the particular problems faced by the very long term unemployed in gaining a foothold in the active labour market. The Allowance incorporates an additional payment of €44.50 per week for up to six weeks compulsory training with an employer followed by an automatic transfer to the BTWA when the person takes up regular employment. The Programme is targeted at those who are at least five years on the Live Register. Recipients of One Parent Family Payment, Carers Allowance, Disability Allowance and Blind Persons Pension can also qualify (subject to the 5 year condition). In addition, you will also receive two payments of €254. One when the six week training is completed and the second payment when you complete six months in employment.
Revenue Job Assist
If you are getting a jobseeker's payment for at least 12 months and take up a job for at least 30 hours a week, which you expect to last at least 12 months, you may qualify for Revenue Job Assist.
Continued Child Payment
This scheme provides for continued payment, for up to 13 weeks, of increase for a qualified child (IQC), where payable at the full rate, to certain persons who have been receiving jobseeker's payments (JA/JB) for a year or more and who take up full-time employment for at least 4 weeks.
Part-Time Job Incentive Scheme
The Part-Time Job Incentive Scheme allows certain long-term unemployed people to take up a part-time job and receive a special weekly allowance instead of their jobseeker's payment.
Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (Self Employed)
This is a weekly payment for unemployed people who set up their own business. It allows you to keep a portion of your social welfare payment for 4 years and is not subject t o tax or Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI)
Educational Supports for Jobseekers
You can avail of a full-time second or third level course, VTOS or an educational training and development course, and still receive a jobseekers payment. If you are not eligible for any of these options or if you don't wish to do a full-time course, you can attend a part-time course
Back to Education Allowance (Second & Third Level Options)
If you would like to return to education, and wish to pursue a second level course of education at any community, comprehensive, secondary or vocational school or a third level course at any university, third level college or institution or you may qualify for Back to Education Allowance (BTEA).
Education, Training & Development
If you are getting a jobseeker's payment and your choice of course is not covered under the Back to Education Allowance Scheme, you may keep your jobseeker's payment while doing a course of education, training or development. It must be clear that the course will enhance your employment prospects
Partnership
Your local partnership company offers a range of supports, including information, training and assistance about finding work.
Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI)
'Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI)Credits' while unemployed
'Credits' are automatically given for any period you get Jobseeker's Benefit. 'Credits' may also be given for periods of Jobseeker's Allowance or if you participate in an education or part-time work scheme for unemployed people.
If you are sick or unemployed, you may qualify for 'credits' even if you are not getting Illness Benefit or an unemployment payment. This can happen, for example, if you:
do not have enough PRSI contributions to qualify for benefit;
have used up your benefit, or
are disqualified from getting unemployment payments because of a trade dispute.
If you are unemployed, you may be entitled to sign for 'credits' at your local Social Welfare Office.
In order to get 'credits' while you are ill and unfit for work, you must send regular medical evidence as long as your illness lasts to the:
Department of Social and Family AffairsP.O. Box 1650Dublin 1or hand in your medical certificate at your local Social Welfare Office
Employer’s Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) Exemption
If you, the employer are taking on new employees who receive the Back to Work Allowance for the first time, at the date they start work with you, you may qualify for the Employers' PRSI Exemption Scheme. This means that you will be exempt from paying the employers share of the employees PRSI contribution for a maximum of 2 years subject to you submitting a current Tax Clearance Certificate or C2 card.
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