Jobseeker's Benefit

Who qualifies

• Under pensionable age (or under 70 if born after 1 January 1958 and you defer your State Pension)
• Capable of work, available for full-time work and genuinely seeking work
• Unemployed for at least 4 days out of every 7
• You meet the PRSI conditions below
• Identity verified to SAFE Level 2 before payment

If your last day of full employment was before 28 March 2025, you may still be on (or entitled to) Jobseeker's Benefit as a fully unemployed person.

PRSI contribution conditions

Condition 1: at least 104 paid PRSI employment contributions at Class A, H or P, or 156 self-employment contributions at Class S.

Condition 2: either 39 paid or credited contributions in the governing contribution year (13 of them paid from employment), or 26 paid contributions in both the governing contribution year and the year before it.

Rates

The rate depends on your average weekly earnings in the governing contribution year:

Child Support Payment: €58 per child under 12 (€29 half-rate) and €78 per child 12 and over (€39 half-rate). People aged 65 to 66 get the maximum rate, with no graduated rates.

How to apply

• Online on MyWelfare.ie with a verified MyGovID.
• In person at your Intreo Centre or Branch Office, or request form UP1 from [email protected].
• Aged 66 or over: you must use the paper UP1 form.

Bring identification (PSC, passport or driving licence) and proof of address. Apply as soon as you become unemployed, or you could lose payment. Repeat claim within 6 months: form UP6.

Payment

Paid weekly in arrears. Part-time, casual, short-time workers and people over 62 are paid into a bank account; temporarily laid-off, school-year, seasonal workers and retained firefighters are paid at the post office. Each week you declare the days worked: see signing on.

Frequently asked questions

Who gets Jobseeker's Benefit now?

Since Pay-Related Benefit started in 2025, Jobseeker's Benefit is mainly for part-time, casual, short-time and seasonal workers, people whose job follows the school or academic year, and retained firefighters.

How much is Jobseeker's Benefit?

Up to €254 a week, plus €168.60 for a qualified adult. If you earned under €300 a week on average in the governing contribution year, a reduced rate applies, from €114.

How long is Jobseeker's Benefit paid?

6 or 9 months, depending on how many PRSI contributions you have paid.

What is Short Time Work Support?

If your employer puts you on a shorter week (for example 3 days instead of 5), you can claim Jobseeker's Benefit for the days you no longer work. The pattern must be systematic and you must work at least 1 day a week.

How do I make a repeat claim?

If your last claim was less than 6 months ago, use the repeat claim form UP6.

Related guides

Sources: gov.ie: Jobseeker's Benefit. Intreo Offices is independent and not affiliated with the Department of Social Protection. Rates and rules change: confirm on gov.ie or MyWelfare.ie before you act.