Jobseeker's Benefit

 

Qualifying for JB

Jobseeker's Benefit is one of two main unemployment payments. For JB a person must be:

  • Resident in the Irish Republic
  • Aged 16 or over
  • Aged Under 66 years
  • Unemployed for at least 3 days out of any consecutive 6 days
  • Available for, Capable of and Genuinely Seeking Full-time work
  • Have enough paid or credited PRSI contributions (see below)

JB Entitlement and PRSI Contributions

Entitlement to JB is based on the number of relevant PRSI paid or credited contributions (what used to be known as stamps). PRSI contributions can be paid (when working) or credited (including when signing-on the Live Register).

A person has an entitlement to JB if they meet all the criteria, in either of the following ways:

  • Have 104 weeks paid PRSI contributions since starting work
  • Have 39 weeks paid or credited PRSI contributions in the Relevant Tax Year. 13 must be paid in the relevant tax year certain other periods.

OR

  • 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

Relevant Tax Year (also called Governing contribution year)

The relevant tax/governing contribution year is determined by contributions in the tax year two years prior to when a person makes a claim for an unemployment payment, i.e. for making a claim for JB in 2011, the relevant tax/contribution year is 2009. The number of paid or credited contributions made in 2009 determines entitlement to JB in 2011.

 

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.