What is Jobseeker's Benefit (JB)?

Jobseeker's Benefit (JB) is an unemployment payment based on social insurance (PRSI) contributions (what used to be known as stamps). PRSI contributions can be paid (when a person is working) or credited (when a person is signing-on the Live Register).

Duration of Payment

Jobseeker's Benefit is paid for a maximum of 12 months if a person has 260 or more PRSI contributions paid since first entering employment, after which time they may qualify for Jobseeker's Allowance. If a person has less than 260 PRSI paid contributions Jobseeker's Benefit will be paid for 9 months instead of the full 12 months. After a Jobseeker's Benefit payment has finished a person may qualify for the other unemployment payment Jobseeker's Allowance which is a means tested payment.

Qualifying criteria for receiving a Jobseeker's Benefit (JB) payment

In order to qualify for a Jobseeker's Benefit payment it is necessary to be:

  • Resident in the Irish Republic
  • Aged 16 or over
  • Aged under 66 years
  • Fully unemployed or unemployed for at least 3 days out of any consecutive 6 days
  • Available for, Capable of and Genuinely Seeking Full-time work, training, education and/or development courses

And

  • Have sufficient paid or credited Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contributions

Jobseeker's Benefit Entitlement and Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contributions

To receive a JB payment it is necessary to satisfy the PRSI contributions criteria in either of the following ways:

1.

  • Have 104 weeks paid PRSI contributions since starting work
  • Have 39 weeks paid or credited PRSI contributions in the Relevant Tax Year* (From January 2009 13 must be paid either in the relevant tax year or certain other periods)

OR

 

2.

  • Have 104 weeks paid PRSI contributions since starting work
  • Have 26 weeks paid PRSI contributions in the Relevant Tax Year
  • Have 26 weeks paid PRSI contributions in the Tax Year prior to the Relevant Tax Year

* The relevant tax year is the tax year two years prior to the year you are making your claim for an unemployment payment. For making a claim for JB in 2011, the relevant tax year is 2009. The number of paid or credited PRSI contributions you made in 2009 determines your entitlement to a JB payment in 2011.

Receiving a Jobseeker's Benefit Payment

Jobseeker's Benefit Payments are made weekly. A person on JB can collect their payments at the Post Office.

Moving from Jobseeker's Benefit to Jobseeker's Allowance

When your Jobseeker's Benefit finishes you may be able to claim a Jobseeker's Allowance payment, it is important to note however that a Jobseeker's Allowance Payment is subject to a means test. A Means Test is a test carried out by an official from the Department of Social Protection (DSP) to assess your means of income.

When assessing a claim the following are taken into account in the means test:

  • Cash Income - including your spouse / partner's income
  • Capital (savings, investments etc.) - The first €20,000 is not assessed
  • Property (other than your own home)
  • Benefit and Privilege (the benefit received from living with your parents, if aged under 25)

The weekly rate of your Jobseeker's Allowance payment will depend on your means.

Please note: You should maintain a record of bank statements or accounts as these may be required