Revenue Job Assist

The Revenue Job Assist scheme provides additional tax-free allowances for people who receive qualifying social welfare payments and are returning to employment. Under this scheme the employee receives an addtional tax-free credit and the employer will also receive additional tax relief.

• Revenue Job Assist only applies if you are taking up a job. It does not apply if you are becoming self-employed.
• If you change jobs once during the 3 years you can still keep the allowance. If however, you move on to a third job will lose the allowance
• You can only claim this relief for on 3 year period. If you claim the relief, become unemployed and then return to work again in the same 3 year period, you can continue to claim. If you claim the relief, become unemployed and return to work after the 3 year period, you cannot claim the relief.

Extra Tax-Free Allowances

Under this scheme the additional tax relief is available for a three-years with a different tax free allowance rate for each year - as follows:

The additional tax allowance are an extra personal tax allowance and a child tax allowance for each qualifying child. These allowances are marginally rated which means they are allowed at the individual's highest rate of tax and appear as an increas to your tax credits and Standard Rate Cut Off Point on the Tax Credit Certificate.

The Revenue Jobs Assist is added to your other tax credits and Standard Rate Cut Off Point and can be claimed for three years. Also this tax allowance can be claimed irrespective of your martial status.

Qualifying for the Revenue Job Assist

Different qualification requirements apply to different social welfare payments - but under this scheme you must be employed for a minimum of 30 hours a week and the job must be capable of lasting at least 12 months.

• Jobseekers: Jobseekers will qualify for this scheme after 12 months on either Jobseeker's Allowance or Jobseeker's Benefit.
• Other social welfare payments: In receipt of one of the following payments for 12 months or more, One Parent Family Payment, Disability Allowance or Blind Person's Pension. In receipt of Invalidity Pension for 12 months or Illness Benefit for 3 years or more
• Ex-prisoners: will qualify after 12 months (once an underlying entitlement to JA is established before starting employment)

Other Qualification Conditions

• You will not qualify for Revenue Job Assist if you have even had one day's employment in the past year.
• You will not qualify for Revenue Job Assist if you have been made redundant in the last 6 months.
• Time spent on Job Initiative, Community Employment, certain other FÁS training courses and the Back to Education Scheme can also make up part of the 12-month period and do not count as employment when assessing eligibilty.

Secondary Benefits

• Participants who have a Rent Supplement willl be assessed on New Rent Supplement regulations. If it is more beneficial, they can continue to be assessed under the previous rules.
• Those remaining on Rent Supplement may qualify for consideration for accommodation on the Rental Accommodation Scheme.
• You will retain your Medical Card for three years.
• You may be eligible for Family Income Supplelment

Further information on Revenue Job Assist can be obtained form you local tax office or www.revenue.ie . You could also check with you local FÁS Placement Office for any jobs notified by employers under Revenue Job Assist.

Contact the Local Employment Service, local Resource Centre or the Facilitator in you local Social Welfare Office, to find out which is the best option for you.