Update on Government’s Pandemic Unemployment Payment Rates September 17th,2020
As part of the Job Stimulus Packages July 2020, the Pandemic Unemployment is continuing until April 2021. However, from September 17th, the payment of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment will change from two rates of pay to three rates. The rate which an individual will receive depends on the amount they were previously in receipt of. The new rates are as follows:
The impact of these changes will be seen on Tuesday September 22nd. Claimants do not need to contact the department as the department has access to Revenue. Individuals will be contacted to inform them of their new rate if applicable.
Returning to Work
According to Revenue, the number of Pandemic Unemployment Payment recipients who closed their claim since May 18th and who are currently in receipt of the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) is 93,300. Workers are reminded to close their claim for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment if returning to work, to ensure that their claim is correctly processed. The PUP claim must be closed on the actual date they go back to work. The claim can be closed online at www.MyWelfare.ie. Where an employer has not recommenced operations or where a sector is still temporarily closed, the department continues to support these workers concerned through payment of the PUP.
Back to Education Allowance Criteria changes for people receiving the Pandemic Unemployment Payment
The Back to Education Allowance scheme is an education support for individuals under 21 who are unemployed. It is also available to lone parents and people with a disability. They can commence a full-time second or third-level education course while continuing to receive income support. In normal circumstances, in order to qualify for a Back to Education Allowance, a person must be in receipt of a qualifying Social Welfare payment for at least nine months. This nine month requirement has been waived for Pandemic Unemployment Payment recipients who wish to apply for the Back to Education Allowance. If a person is receiving PUP, they can now transfer to a Jobseekers payment. The rate of Back to Education Allowance payment will be linked to other qualifying Social Welfare payments. For example, if an individual receives Jobseeker’s Allowance of €203 weekly, the Back to Education Allowance is also this rate. While the Pandemic Unemployment Payment is scheduled to cease in April 2021, the Back to Education Allowance provides long term income support provided for the duration of the course, which can extend for up to three or four years. Recipients of the Back to Education Allowance who have dependent children can also avail of an annual Cost of Education Allowance of €500. This scheme will also support blended and distance learning which previously did not qualify for Back to Education Allowance.
