COVID-19: Social Welfare information
If you have lost your job during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic you can apply for the new social welfare payment called COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (CPUP). The purpose of CPUP is to make available to employees and self-employed people who have become unemployed a flat rate payment of €350 per week for the duration of the pandemic emergency. There is no restriction on people aged between 18 and 66 years applying for CPUP provided they have been in employment up to now and this employment has ceased.
The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP) now request that you apply for it on-line. You will require an email address, a bank account and a PPSN, and the Department assure us that setting up an account is a simple and straight forward process. If you are new to mywelfare.ie please follow this link for further information https://www.gov.ie/en/service/c87b58-access-mywelfareie/
Otherwise please follow this link and it will bring you to the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment on mywelfare.ie https://services.mywelfare.ie/en/topics/covid-19-payments/covid-19-pandemic-unemployment-payment/
CPUP will be paid in to your bank account every Tuesday once your application is processed. The DEASP advise people to check their Bank Accounts as payment may be issued before they let you know.
In response to queries raised with the INOU, the DEASP have confirmed that anyone who was working part-time and claiming a Jobseeker’s payment either casually or systematic short-time ( Short Time Work Support) are entitled to claim the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment, provided that now they have become fully unemployed.
The DEASP also note that if you are getting another social welfare payment, for example a Carers Payment, Working Family Payment (WFP) or One-Parent Family Payment, and you have lost your employment, CPUP will be paid in addition to this payment.
Applying for a Jobseeker’s payment
On their website, the DEASP are advising people who have adult and child dependents to apply for a regular Jobseeker’s payment. If you are in receipt of a Working Family Payment then it would be advisable to talk to a member of the INOU’s Welfare Rights Information Team on your options. The INOU’s telephone number is 01 856 0088. You will also find useful information on the options available at https://www.inou.ie/information/losing-your-job/
Qualified Adults
In response to queries raised with the INOU’s Welfare Rights Information Team, the DEASP have confirmed that a Qualified Adult who has lost their work and is now fully unemployed can apply for the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment in their own right.
The DEASP note that the Qualified Adult should also make a Jobseeker’s application in their own right so, if applicable, their partner’s claim can be adjusted. Given the volume of applications being processed at present, they also say that if any adjustments or amendments need to be made, that these will most likely happen at a later date.
For employees on reduced working hours
There appear to be no new supports available for employees whose employment has been reduced to part-time or casual working because of the impact of COVID-19. So, if your working hours have been reduced you can apply for one of the existing supports: the Short Time Work Support Scheme (STWS); or, if you do not meet the eligibility criteria for STWS, a Jobseeker’s Allowance (JA). For further information on JA please follow this link https://www.inou.ie/information/jobseekers-allowance/
The Short Time Work Support Scheme (STWS) is available to all employees who are put on short time working week on a temporary basis due to a reduction in their employers’ business. To qualify you must meet all of the qualifying conditions of a Jobseeker’s Benefit payment; be working for 3 days per week or less; and have been previously employed on a full time basis. For further information on this payment please follow this link https://www.gov.ie/en/service/c20e1b-short-time-work-support/
Revised Intreo Centres Opening Hours
On Friday April 3rd the DEASP announced that all of their public offices will only be open to the public from 10 am to 1 pm on Fridays, Mondays and Wednesdays. In the weeks of April 6th and April 13th it means Intreo Offices will only be open four half days.
DEASP Income Support Helpline for COVID-19
This helpline provides information on available income supports for people impacted by COVID-19. At present the DEASP information team advise on the most suitable income supports for callers circumstances and provide information on how to make an application. The telephone number is 1890 800024.