Short-Time Work Support is a form of Jobseeker's Benefit. It is an income support payment for those who have been temporarily placed on a shorter working week by their employer.
For example, if your working week has been reduced from a 5 day work pattern to a 3 day work pattern, you may get a Short-Time Work Support payment for the 2 days of work that have been lost.
To qualify for Short-Time Work Support, you must:
- be temporarily working a standard reduced weekly work pattern
- be systematically working 3 days or less per week having previously worked full-time
- be under 66 years of age
- be capable of work and available for full-time work
- satisfy the same PRSI conditions that you would need to qualify for Jobseeker's Benefit. More information about these PRSI conditions is available here.
Short-time Work Support is not means tested.
If you do not have enough PRSI contributions to qualify for the Short-Time Work Support, you may be eligible for Jobseeker's Allowance, which is a means tested payment.
If you are aged 66, you will have the choice to claim your State Pension (Contributory) on any date between the age of 66 and 70.
If you decide not to draw down your State Pension (Contributory) at age 66 and you meet the conditions of Short Time Work Support, you can apply for Short Time Work Support, which is a form of Jobseeker’s Benefit, up until the age of 70.
You will not receive credited contributions while on Short Time Work Support after the age of 66. This may have an impact on your State Pension (Contributory) entitlements. After the age of 66, you must apply for Short Time Work Support using a paper application (UP1) which can be obtained from your local Intreo Office or Social Welfare Branch Office.
Your duration of eligibility and rate of payment will depend on:
- your PRSI contributions
- average weekly earnings, and
- the change in your work pattern
For example, if you are placed on a 3 day work pattern having previously worked 5 days, you may be entitled to up to €97.60 for the 2 days you are no longer working. This represents two fifths of the maximum weekly rate of Jobseeker's Benefit of €244.
The following table shows the maximum payment rates available:
| Days of employment lost | Single person rate | Couple without children rate | Couple with 2 children over 12 rate | Couple with 3 children (2 over 12, 1 under 12) rate | Couple with 4 children (2 over 12, 2 under 12) rate |
| 2 | €97.60 | €162.40 | €212 | €232 | €252 |
| 3 | €146.40 | €243.60 | €318 | €348 | €378 |
| 4 | €195.20 | € 324.80 | €424 | €464 | €504 |
Short-Time Work Support is not taxable.
Short-Time Work Support is paid for a maximum of 6 months or 9 months, depending on the number of PRSI Contributions you have paid.
The quickest way to apply for Short-Time Work Support is through MyWelfare.ie.
If you complete your form online, you can then send on the UP80 form completed by your employer.
Employees can also apply for Short-Time Work Support at their local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office.
You should apply as soon as your days have been reduced otherwise you could lose some payment.
To apply, you will need the following documents along with the application form:
- identification – your Public Service Card (PSC), passport or driving licence
- proof of your address – a utility bill or letter from a government department
Your employer must also complete the form below:
Employer Declaration: Casual/Part-time/Short-time Employment (UP80)
Updated: August 2021
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You must inform us of the days of employment and unemployment for each week you are on a reduced working pattern.
You can now declare the days you are working and not working online through www.MyWelfare.ie This means that you will not have to submit paper dockets each week to your local Intreo Centre/Social Welfare Branch Office.
Please see our guide to part-time/casual/short-time work online certification for further information.
You can appeal a decision if you are unhappy with it. You should appeal within 21 days of the decision and you can ask for an oral hearing.
The easiest and quickest way to make your appeal is online on www.MyWelfare.ie. All you need is a verified MyGovID account. You can get a verified MyGovID account if you have a Public Services Card, a verified mobile phone number and an email address.
An appeals officer, whose decision is final, will then decide your case. Some cases can be decided without an oral hearing.
If new information comes to light or your circumstances change, you can apply for Short Time Work Support, which is a form of Jobseeker’s Benefit, again.
Operational guidelines describe the processes and procedures that staff in the department follow when carrying out their work: