Are JA and the Covid Pandemic Unemployment Payment different?

wily minx

For example, if you have voluntarily left your job because working from home while caring for small children wasn't possible... would you be entitled to the Covid PUP but not JA?

wifey28

if you voluntarily leave your job then you are not entitled to the pandemic payment as your job is still available as far as i know.

JA has a up to 9 week exclusion period if you leave a job also , So you could be looking at 9 weeks with no income

wily minx

That's definitely the case for JA as you're only entitled if you're seeking employment.

From the citizens information website:
If you left work to look after your child because of school or childcare closures during the public health emergency and you are not bring paid by your employer you can apply for the COVID 19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment.

Just wondering if anyone has any experience in applying on this basis?

lughildanach

wily minx wrote: »

That's definitely the case for JA as you're only entitled if you're seeking employment.

From the citizens information website:
If you left work to look after your child because of school or childcare closures during the public health emergency and you are not bring paid by your employer you can apply for the COVID 19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment.

Just wondering if anyone has any experience in applying on this basis?

It makes sense that you can apply in these circumstances. The requirement isn't that your employer doesn't have work for you, the requirement is that you have lost your job because of COVID. This applies just as much to someone who can't go to work because of childcare.


Equally it should apply to those who are unable to attend work because they are looking after vulnerable household members, or others who cannot attend work because of COVID related issues, eg. where Back to Work Protocol does not facilitate their return to work.



The applications are self-certified. It will most likely depend on how you describe how you lost your job. The space on the form is very small. Ensure that you make it clear that it was due to COVID, and you would appear to meet the requirements. They aren't verifying the details with employers as far as i know (other than checking to make sure you aren't still being paid or receiving wage subsidy scheme).


You shouldn't need to apply for Jobseekers, but if you do, then I would be very surprised if they imposed a disqualification period on you. The question is whether you left your job without a good reason. In the circumstances, this surely will be considered to be a good reason. You are supposed to be available for full-time work, which you will not be if you have no childcare, but it would be very surprising if they refused on these grounds. You could apply for SWA on an exceptional basis if did refuse.

lughildanach

It will be interesting to see the position as more businesses are open and require their staff to return. Childcare issues are perhaps quite clear. What will be less clear is under what circumstances is it reasonable to refuse to return to work because of vulnerable household members. How serious does the underlying health condition have to be?

Many employers will be reasonable, and will continue lay-off. Others will not.

COVID payments are self-certified, so it may be that payment will continue. However, the protection that people in these circumstances have under employment law is not clear. Employers would need to be careful about terminating employment or stopping Wage Subsidy payments in these circumstances.

If anyone is refused a social welfare payment, or put under pressure to return to work by an employer, they should seek immediate professional advice (eg. Union, solicitor)