Jobseeker’s Allowance

Jobseeker’s Allowance is paid by the Department of Social Protection (DSP). You may get Jobseeker’s Allowance if you are aged between 18 and 66, unemployed and seeking work.  As the Allowance is means-tested your means must be below a certain level to satisfy DSP regulations.

In order to qualify for Jobseeker’s Allowance you must be able to show evidence of genuinely seeking work to the Department.  If you get part-time work up to and including 3 days per week you may still get Jobseeker’s Allowance for the other days.  If you are self-employed you may also be entitled to Jobseeker’s Allowance depending on your income.

  • Be unemployed (you must be fully unemployed or unemployed for at least 4 days out of 7)
  • Be capable of work
  • Be available for and genuinely seeking work

The DSP may request meetings and participation in employment support schemes, work experience or training. Payments can be reduced if you fail to meet these requests.

If you have been on One Parent Family Payment and the payment is ending due to the age of your youngest child then you may qualify for Jobseeker’s Transitional payment, if you have a child aged between 7 and 13.

If your youngest child is aged 14 or over and you are either not in work or are working part time (for 3 days a week or less or less than 19 hours a week) then you may be eligible for Jobseeker’s Allowance.

The rate of payment in 2021 is €203 for the applicant plus the increase for a child dependent which is €38 for a child under 12 and €45 for a child aged 12+.

Income Disregard

The income disregard for earnings for Jobseeker’s Allowance is less than the income disregard for One Parent Family Payment so whereas €165 of earnings are ignored for OFP for Jobseeker’s Allowance it is €20 a day for a maximum of 3 days or €60 in total.