A new social welfare payment of up to €450 will start on March 31. To qualify, applicants must meet three specific PRSI contribution conditions.
The benefit amount will depend on your previous earnings. It’s for those who lose their job after March 31, 2025, and have enough PRSI contributions.
To qualify, you need to meet three main conditions. First, you must have paid at least 104 PRSI contributions at Class A, H, or P. Second, you need at least 4 contributions at Class A or H in the 10 weeks before applying. Lastly, you must have paid at least 26 contributions at Class A or H in the 52 weeks before your unemployment starts.
If you were receiving another benefit, like Maternity or Illness Benefit, different rules apply. More details will come soon.
There are different payment tiers. If you have 5 years of contributions, you’ll get 60% of your previous earnings for the first three months, up to €450. After that, it drops to 55% for the next three months, with a maximum of €375. Then, it goes to 50% for another three months, capped at €300.
For those with 2 to 5 years of contributions, the rate is 50% of previous earnings, up to €300 weekly for six months. The minimum payment is €125.
Details on how to apply will be available soon. If you’re unemployed now, you can apply for the current Jobseeker’s Benefit. If you’re already receiving it when the new benefit starts, you’ll continue until your entitlement ends or you find a job.
