Older people and jobseeker's payments
- Introduction
- Jobseeker’s Benefit and Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit over 65
- Other arrangements for older jobseekers
Introduction
There are some special administrative provisions in place for older jobseekers. These provisions aim to help people during the transition from the labour force into retirement. These provisions recognise that older jobseekers may have more difficulty re-training and re-entering the workplace if they lose their job when they are near to retirement age. If you have to retire at 65, you will not get a State pension until you are 66. However, you may still qualify for a benefit payment at 65.
You can also read about Early retirement.
Jobseeker’s Benefit and Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit over 65
If you are getting Jobseeker’s Benefit or Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit and you are aged between 65 and 66 when would normally end, you can continue to get it until the age of 66, provided you meet the PRSI requirements. You must still be available for work. Find out more about qualifying for a payment at 65.
If you have fully retired form all employment then you may qualify for the payment for people aged 65 instead of JB or JPRB.
Other arrangements for older jobseekers
If you are claiming Jobseeker’s Benefit, Jobseeker’s Benefit (Self-Employed) or Jobseeker's Allowance and are aged 62 or over, you will:
- Not be required to engage with the compulsory activation process and you will not be subject to penalty rates for non-engagement (unless you are already taking part in an activation programme)
- Be placed on a yearly signing arrangement and most claimants will be transferred to Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) payments. Yearly signing on arrangements do not apply to some people such as casual jobseekers who must submit weekly dockets.
You can voluntarily avail of a range of supports (for example, training or employment support programmes) from the Department of Social Protection.
Note that to qualify for either Jobseeker’s Benefit, Jobseeker’s Benefit (Self-Employed) or Jobseeker’s Allowance you must be genuinely seeking work and be available for full-time employment and these conditions continue to apply to all jobseekers.
| What is activation?
Labour market activation policies are designed to give jobseekers a better chance of finding employment. The Department of Social Protection describes activation as its engagement with jobseekers to support them back into employment. Jobseekers are expected to fully engage with this process and use the supports offered during the activation process which might include education or training schemes, employment support schemes to help them back into the workplace, internships and other supports. People who do not engage with the activation process may have their payment reduced and can subsequently be disqualified from their payment for up to 9 weeks. Read more about the conditions that apply to your jobseekers’ payment. |