Social welfare Ireland: Full list of people eligible for new €450 payment as start date confirmed

A start date has been confirmed for a brand new social welfare payment of up to €450 a week.

Pay-related Benefit is due to come into effect next year, and how much you receive will be related to your previous salary.

Pay-Related Benefit represents a landmark reform of the social protection system and will ensure that people with a strong work history receive a higher payment if they lose their jobs.

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The Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, announced earlier this year that the new Pay-Related Benefit Scheme will come into effect on 31st March 2025.

The introduction of Pay-Related Benefit will bring Ireland in line with other EU countries and benefit people who have a strong and recent attachment to the Labour Market.

Here's everything you need to know about it and who will be eligible.

Who can claim Pay-Related Benefit?

Pay-Related Benefit will be available to people who become fully unemployed.

The existing Jobseeker’s Benefit scheme is being retained for people who may not be eligible for the new scheme because they are working on a part-time, casual, short-time or seasonal basis.

In order to qualify for the benefit, a person must have at least 104 employment contributions in the period since entering insurance, at least 4 employment contributions in the 10 weeks immediately prior to the date the application for benefit is made; and at least 26 employment contributions in the 52 weeks immediately prior to the first week for which they are claiming benefit.

How much is Pay-Related Benefit?

Under the new system, there will be three rates of payment as follows:

• a top rate of a maximum of €450, or 60 per cent of your prior income, for people who have made at least five years PRSI contributions. The €450 rate will be paid for the first three months;
• a second rate of a maximum of €375, or 55 per cent of your prior income. This will be paid for the following three months;
• a third rate of a maximum of €300, or 50 per cent of your prior income for the final three months.

Then it will drop down to the usual rate of Jobseeker's Benefit, which will be €244 from January 1st.