COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

• 1. What the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment is

• 2. How to qualify

• 3. Rate of payment

• 4. Apply

If you have already applied before the 24th of March or are already in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment you do not need to do anything. Your next payment will be paid at the increased rate.

1.What the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment is The COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment is a payment of €350 per week. It is available to all employees and the self-employed who have lost their job due to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic. The COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment will be in place for the duration of the crisis. If you have been temporarily placed on a shorter working week, you may qualify for Short Time Work Support.

2.How to qualify You can apply for the new COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment if you:

• are an employee or self-employed

• are aged between 18 and 66 years old

• live in the Republic of Ireland

• have lost your job due to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic

• have ceased trading due to the pandemic if you are self-employed

The payment also applies to

• non EU/EEA workers who have lost employment due to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic

• students (and non-EU/EEA students) who have lost employment due to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic

• part-time workers

3.Rate of payment The COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment is paid at a flat rate of €350 per week for the duration of the pandemic emergency. It was originally set at a rate of €203 but it was increased by government on March 24.

If you have already applied before the 24th of March or are already in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment you do not need to do anything. Your next payment will be paid at the increased rate.

Payment is made by electronic transfer only (into your bank account) and only into accounts held in Irish financial institutions. It will be paid in to your bank account every Tuesday once your application is processed.

If you were working and were also in receipt of any social welfare payment such as a Carers Payment, Working Family Payment (WFP) or One-Parent Family Payment, you can, provided you have lost your job due to COVID-19, also claim the COVID-19 emergency payment, in addition to retaining your existing welfare payment. The COVID-19 Payment Unemployment Payment will replace your employment income and will be regarded by the Department as equivalent to employment income.

If you have one adult and one or more dependant children you should claim a Jobseeker's Payment instead of the COVID-19 Pandemic Payment.

This is because you can claim an additional allowance for your adult dependant and child dependants, which will bring your weekly payment to in excess of the €350 weekly payment due under the emergency COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment.

4.Apply Apply online The quickest and easiest way to apply for the emergency Covid-19 payment is by applying online at mywelfare.ie.

All you need is your email to set up a basic MyGovID account which then allows you to apply online. Access service here Apply by post Detailed instructions on how to fill in the form are available here

Fill out the following application form: COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment Application Form.pdf Send the completed application form by Freepost to:

Freepost, PO Box 12896, Dublin 1

Request a Form be posted out to you

This email address is only to request that an application form be posted out to you so please supply your name and address. Forms can only be posted to addresses in Ireland. Email: forms@welfare.ie

After you have applied, please keep checking your bank account as payment may issue before the department formally notifies you.

To help us to process all payments as quickly as possible, we would kindly ask you not to phone the department seeking updates on your application as staff will be focusing on processing applications. Thank you for your cooperation.

DEASP Income Support Helpline for COVID-19 This helpline provides information on available income supports for people impacted by COVID-19. Our information team can advise on the most suitable income supports for your circumstances and provide information on how to make an application. Phone: 012481398,  1890800024 Note--: The rates charged for using 1890 (Lo-call) numbers may vary.