New arrangements for older jobseekers

Patrickheg

Hi all, I have a question in relation to the following new rule which was introduced to coincide with the increase of the state pension to 66 from jan 1st.

http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Jobseeker%27s-Benefit.aspx
The Department of Social Protection is putting new administrative provisions in place to ease the transition from the labour force into retirement. From 1 January 2014, if you are claiming Jobseeker’s Benefit or Allowance and are aged 62 or over, the following will apply:
You will no longer be required to engage with the activation process and you will not be subject to penalty rates for non-engagement
You can voluntarily avail of a range of supports (for example, training or employment support programmes) from the Department of Social Protection
In addition, most jobseekers aged 62 or over will be placed on a yearly signing arrangement with their local social welfare office (this means that they do not need to sign on regularly) and most will be transferred to Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) payments so payment can be made directly into their bank account. Certain categories of older jobseekers may be required to engage more frequently with their local social welfare office. For example, casual jobseekers of 62 and older must continue to submit weekly dockets of their work patterns.
Note that to qualify for either Jobseeker’s Benefit or Allowance you must be genuinely seeking work and be available for full-time employment and these conditions will continue to apply to older jobseekers.

Scenario;
Have an uncle who has worked 50 years so has adequate PRSI contributions who is being forced to retire when he is 64.5 years old. Due to his age it's unlikely to get another job(but will try) so will likely have to claim job seekers benefit until state pension. This will run out when he is 65 and 3 months(9 months job seekers rule then job seekers allowance kicks in) and will therefore be 9 months short of state pension.

My Question;
When someone falls into the "New arrangements for older jobseekers" do the normal rules of jobseekers apply(ie when their contributions run out do they move to jobseekers allowance) or do they continue to qualify for jobseekers allowance beyond the 234 days? In my uncles case he will be in receipt of job seekers benefit when he turns 65(new arrangement kicks in) so will he be allowed to remain in receipt of job seekers benefit until 66 or have to move to job seekers allowance when 65 and 3 months?

I've spent a while searching the net but can't find an answer as it's such a new rule.

Thanks

eastbono

AFAIK once he reaches the age of 65 while in payment of JB then the JB continues on until he goes on OACP. Its recommended that you apply at least 3 months before hand for OACP.

danjo-xx

just to confirm above.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/older_and_retired_people/early_retirement.html

As a general rule, JB is payable for either 9 months or 6 months. However, if you are aged between 65 and 66 when your JB would normally end, you may continue to receive it until the age of 66, provided you meet the PRSI requirements.