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Getting a welfare payment during the COVID-19 pandemic
From Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
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A number of income supports are available from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.
The COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment will be in place until April 2021.
COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment Rates changed on 29 June 2020 and 17 September 2020. There will be further changes on 1 February 2021 and April 2021.
The Department has access to this information from the Revenue Commissioners.
- If you feel you should have received the higher rate of payment, you can request a review
The COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment is available to employees and the self-employed who have lost their job on or after 13 March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
New applications for this payment will be accepted until the end of 2020.
If you are returning to work and are currently receiving the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment , you must stop this payment on your first day back at work .
The simplest way to do this is online at MyWelfare.ie.
If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19, or are medically certified to self-isolate as a result of COVID-19, you can apply for Illness Benefit for COVID-19 absences which is higher than the standard rate. You can apply for this whether you are an employee or if you are self-employed.
The Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme replaced the Temporary COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme from the 1 September 2020.
Both schemes were in payment from 31 July 2020 until the Temporary COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme ended on 31 August 2020. This allowed employers more flexibility with new hires and seasonal workers who did not qualify for the Temporary COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme.
It is expected to continue until 31 March 2021.
Employers have to sign up to the scheme through Revenue .
If you are temporarily placed on a shorter working week, for example, your working week has been reduced from a 5 day work pattern to a 3 day work pattern, you can receive support under Short Time Work Support under the Jobseeker’s Benefit scheme for the other 2 days. Short-Time Work must be systematic and must show a clear repetitive pattern of employment and you must work at least 1 day in each week.
