Social Welfare Information
The Department of Social and Family Affairs (DSFA) is the Government Department that controls and administers most income supports in Ireland but some are administered by the Health Service Executive through local centres.
UMENPLOYED PEOPLE
The Department has a range of benefits available to people who are unemployed.
To find out if you are entitled to any payment please contact your local welfare office. Contact details may be found on www.welfare.ie
Jobseeker Supports
Jobseekers Benefit
If you are unemployed you may qualify for Jobseeker's Benefit (JB) which is based on your social insurance record. A fundamental qualifying condition for Jobseekers Benefit is that you must be available for full time work.
Jobseekers Allowance
If you are unemployed and do not qualify for Jobseekers Benefit you may qualify for Jobseeker's Allowance (JA) which is based on your weekly means
For application forms for either of the above payments please go to: www.welfare.ie
Supplementary Welfare Allowance
Supplementary Welfare Allowance
Supplementary Welfare Allowance is run by the Health Service Executive through Community Welfare Officers at local offices of the Health Service Executive. The Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme consists of a basic payment, called Supplementary Welfare Allowance, is a weekly allowance paid to people who do not have enough means to meet their needs and those of their qualified adult or any qualified children.
To find out if you qualify for Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) please go to: www.welfare.ie
Rent Supplement
If you are having difficulty paying your rent and you are getting a social welfare or Health Service Executive payment, you may qualify for a Rent Supplement.
Mortgage Interest Supplement
If you are having difficulty paying your mortgage and you are getting a social welfare or Health Service Executive payment, you may qualify for a Mortgage Interest Supplement.
Back to Work
Back to Work Allowance (Employees)
In the Supplementary Budget April 2009 it was announced that the Back to Work Allowance scheme is closed to new applicants from 1 May 2009. People awarded this allowance prior to 1 May 2009 may remain on the scheme provided they continue to satisfy the conditions of the scheme. A person who did not claim the full entitlement before 1 May 2009 may be allowed resume the BTW scheme.
Very Long Term Unemployed
The objective of the programme is to address the particular problems faced by the very long term unemployed in gaining a foothold in the active labour market. The Allowance incorporates an additional payment of €44.50 per week for up to six weeks compulsory training with an employer followed by an automatic transfer to the BTWA when the person takes up regular employment. The Programme is targeted at those who are at least five years on the Live Register. Recipients of One Parent Family Payment, Carers Allowance, Disability Allowance and Blind Persons Pension can also qualify (subject to the 5 year condition). In addition, you will also receive two payments of €254. One when the six week training is completed and the second payment when you complete six months in employment.
Revenue Job Assist
If you are getting a jobseeker's payment for at least 12 months and take up a job for at least 30 hours a week, which you expect to last at least 12 months, you may qualify for Revenue Job Assist.
Continued Child Payment
This scheme provides for continued payment, for up to 13 weeks, of increase for a qualified child (IQC), where payable at the full rate, to certain persons who have been receiving jobseeker's payments (JA/JB) for a year or more and who take up full-time employment for at least 4 weeks.
Part-Time Job Incentive Scheme
The Part-Time Job Incentive Scheme allows certain long-term unemployed people to take up a part-time job and receive a special weekly allowance instead of their jobseeker's payment.
Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (Self Employed)
This is a weekly payment for unemployed people who set up their own business. It allows you to keep a portion of your social welfare payment for 4 years and is not subject t o tax or Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI)
For further information please contact your local Congress Resource Centre.