Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit

Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit (JPRB) is a payment you can get if you become unemployed.

The amount of JPRB you get is directly linked to your earnings from work before you became unemployed.

JPRB will be available from 31 March 2025. You cannot apply for JPRB until then.

You will not get JPRB and should apply for Jobseeker's Benefit instead if:

• You are a part-time, casual or seasonal worker
• You are put on short-time work
• You are retained fire fighter or your employment is based around the school or academic year
• Your last day of employment is before Friday 28 March 2025

To qualify for Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit, you must:

• Become fully unemployed on or after 31 March 2025 (your last day of employment must be on or after Friday 28 March 2025)
• Be under 66 years of age, or under 70 years and deferring your State Pension (Contributory)
• Be capable of work and be available for full-time work
• Be genuinely seeking work
• Have enough paid PRSI contributions at Class A, H or P – see below

PRSI contributions

PRSI contributions from insurable employment are also called paid PRSI contributions.

You must meet all 3 PRSI contribution conditions for Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit:

• At least 104 PRSI contributions from employment at Class A, H or P
• At least 4 PRSI contributions from employment at Class A or H in the 10 weeks before making your JPRB application
• At least 26 PRSI contributions from employment at Class A or H in the 52 weeks before your first day of unemployment

Different PRSI conditions apply if you were getting another benefit payment such as Maternity Benefit or Illness Benefit when you lost your employment

Fully unemployed

You must be fully unemployed to get Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit.

If you are a part-time, casual, short time or seasonal worker, or a retained fire fighter, or your employment is based around the school or academic year, you should claim Jobseeker's Benefit instead.

Already getting Jobseeker's Benefit

If you are getting Jobseeker's Benefit when the new Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit begins, you stay on Jobseeker’s Benefit. You will need to return to employment before you can qualify for JPRB.

You can get Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit (JPRB) for up to 9 months (39 weeks), if you have at least 5 years of PRSI contributions from employment (also called paid PRSI contributions).

In 2025, Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit weekly rate, if you have at least 260 (5 years) paid PRSI contributions:

The minimum weekly payment is €125.

You can get JPRB for up to 6 months (26 weeks), if you have between 2 and 5 years of PRSI contributions from employment.

In 2025, Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit weekly rate, if you have between 104 and 259 (2-5 years) paid PRSI contributions:

The minimum weekly payment is €125.

Note: Time spent on a jobseeker’s payment awarded after 31 March 2025 may affect how long you will get JPRB.

Previous earnings and JPRB rate

The Department of Social Protection (DSP) calculate your JPRB rate using information it gets directly from Revenue.  To get your JPRB rate the DSP calculates your weekly average gross earnings for the 12 months up to the 8 weeks before you lost your job.

For example, if you lost your employment on Monday, 7 April 2025. The DSP go back 8 weeks to the 10 February 2025. They calculate your weekly average earnings between 10 February 2024 and 10 February 2025.

If you were getting another social welfare payment before JPRB, generally the DSP use your gross average earnings in the previous year before that claim,

If you start working again, you will need to close your Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit (JPRB) claim.

If you work part-time (up to 3 days), you may be eligible for Jobseeker’s Benefit or Jobseeker’s Allowance.

If you stop claiming JPRB, you can restart your Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit where you left off within 13 weeks.

If your break is longer than 13 weeks your JPRB claim will be closed.  You will need to meet the qualifying conditions to get Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit again. Your rate of payment will be re-calculated based on your most recent earnings.

Time spent on jobseeker’s payments awarded after 31 March 2025 may impact on the duration of your new JPRB claim. For example, any time spent on JPRB within the current and previous calendar year will be counted on your new claim for JPRB.

You should apply for Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit (JPRB) within 6 weeks of losing your job.

A late application could affect your entitlement.

Apply online

If you have a verified MyGovID account, you can apply online on MyWelfare.ie.

If you have a basic MyGovID account and a Public Services Card, you can verify your account on MyGovID.ie.

If you cannot apply online

You can apply for Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit at your local Intreo Centre or Branch Office.

Appeals

If you do not agree with a decision on your JBRB application, you can appeal the decision.

Unemployed before 28 March 2025

If you are unemployed or your last day of employment is before Friday 28 March 2025, you can apply for the existing Jobseeker's Benefit scheme. If you are getting Jobseeker's Benefit (JB) when the new Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit starts, you will stay on JB until your entitlement ends. You will need to return to work before you can qualify for JPRB.

The Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit week starts the Monday after you lose your job. It is paid on Wednesday.

You collect your JPRB every Wednesday from your chosen Post Office.