Government Benefits Megathread

Hi, that seems quite extraordinary, the bit from local SW office, they seem to be suggesting, close a pup payment before a person entitled to JSA, or when a person's PUP ends, then apply, seems very bizzare. This would mean people will could potentially go for a period with no income albeit JSA (if approved) is supposed to be back dated to date of application.

Conversely if someone currently on PUP, decides to make an application in advance of it ending, they may potentially have their PUP closed. (basically a person can not apply for a jobseekers payment while on pup)

I'd expect some better guidence on this, later in the week, I'd be surprised if they allow 1000"s of people left high and dry while awaiting a decision on a JSA application. There's also a storm brewing in the entertainment and other industries still fully closed.

At a minimum, I had expected people on PUP that's due to end, would be permitted a brief window to apply for JSA 🤔

Doesn't PUP continue until next year all be it gradually being at a reduced rate?

Hi, not quite, from the 7th September all students returning to full time education loose it, all recepients on the the lowest rate of €203 and €250 essentially loose it and "Transition, as its being mooted , to JSA terms" basically if you reach the €203 payment after reduction, you transition to JSA.

Those ON €300 reduce to €250, those on €350 reduce to €300 on the 7th September, moving on to November, those on €250 reduce to €203 and transition etc etc, basically by Feb 2022, everyone off pup with only a few remaining on it after November 2021.

The problem is, what does transition Actually mean, its assumed an application for JSA is required, but technically you can't apply for JSA until you close your PUP, normally only done if returning to work.

Secondly, there are still a number of sectors still closed and also many self employed on PUP, what is going to happen here 🤔

It's been my understanding that those in receipt of PUP also received a PRSI credit. Essentially so there would be no break in their already paid contributions when the time came for them to apply for dental/optical benefit, pension etc.

I get that students on the lowest rate of PUP and those returning to full time education revert to JSA terms. But I wonder if those PRSI credits are taken into account when calculating those applying for JSB? Which is obviousy not means tested and I would assume a quicker transition.

Unfortunately I don't have full mygovid access as I can't get a PSC card (unless they've changed the process on applying for one).

I didn't know someone applying for Jobseekers had the option between JSA or JSB. Worth remembering should the time come. Particularly, as you rightly state.. JSB uses up contributions. If the option is given, JSA might be the better choice. Although I doubt you would receive a credit while in receipt of JSA so there would still be a break in contributions. Requires further looking into.

Give a call to your local Intreo and they will arrange an appoint for new PSC - Mine expired prior to COVID, I spoke to Intreo yesterday and they said for me to just call in and they'll take a new photo, etc and issue a new one in the post!

That's really a positive development, I'll read shortly, I felt and mentioned it was going to be very difficult to penalise those in sectors still closed or impacted.

So basically rates will reduced as planned from 14th September and those on lowest rate won't have to move (apply) for JSA /JSB.

The Taoiseach hinted at this for those in entertainment industry earlier in the week in an interview on the news at one, it seems they are including every sector which seems fair.

The statement mentions department will write to those affected at the end of September, so at least some guidance will be given and a few extra weeks for those affected to be prepared, seems fair.

I'm curious how self employed on PUP are impacted by all of this, I presume in the same situation, there was a thread re self employed but went very quite months ago. Like Artists, musicians, students etc, I'd assume they may not be eligible for a jobseekers payment 🤔

I think your right 😉 for my sins, I spent most of my career in hospitality, but left that sector 8 years ago 🙄

UPDATE

If you are getting the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment at a rate of €203 per week

If you earned less than €200 per week and were on the €203 rate of payment up to 7 September 2021 the process of moving to a jobseeker’s payment was due to begin in early September. This has now been deferred until after all sectors have started to re-open in line with the Government Roadmapannounced on Tuesday 31 August. If you are paid at this rate you will continue to receive a PUP payment until 26 October 2021 if eligible. At that point the process of your possible transition to a jobseeker's payment will begin.

SOURCE: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/43859-what-the-changes-announced-in-the-pandemic-unemployment-payment-will-mean-for-you/#if-you-are-getting-the-covid-19-pandemic-unemployment-payment-at-a-rate-of-203-per-week

Correct nothing showing for 2021, I'm referring to the most up to date as in applicable years relevant to a claim, for example if a claim is being made in 2021, they look at previous years, 2019/20 , not current year claim being made , if I'm making sense.

I presume contributions for current year uploaded at years end .

Does anyone know if the enhanced illness benefit is still being paid?

Thanks Dempo.

I've seen this happen before. The payment is made a week in arrears. As you closed on a Monday ,you would have been entitled to the full week ahead and your week in arrears so yes, I believe its correct. Basically if you claim for any part of a week (Monday to Friday) they pay the full week .

Hi, it's never been available to anyone on PUP even with rates of payments reduced, its not even available to other payments, such as illness benefit and the rule regarding being entitled to those on JSA remains, in essence only being entitled to it after being on JSA for 12 months ( I thought it was 15 months 🤔) , obviously those fortunate enough to be entitled will welcome the €5 pw increase from midnight tonight.

PUP for the 27th going to be paid this Friday is it? (With Monday being a bank hol)

Just need to budget etc