Advice in relation to accessing welfare and other benefits during the Covid-19 crisis

1 April 2020

Income Support

Anyone who has lost their income as a result of losing employment the Covid-19 pandemic is encouraged to apply for the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment.

In order to qualify for the payment at present, you must have a PPS number and a bank account in Ireland.

The payment is set at €350 per week for the duration of the Covid-19 crisis.

When applying for COVD-19 you need documentation to prove that you were in employment – you may not be asked for the documentation initially but they are likely to look for it at a later date. There is a possibility that applicants will be asked to repay if they cannot provide the documentation that they were working later on. 

The payment is for 12 weeks and then applicant will, if still unemployed, be required to apply for Job Seekers (normal rate). The applicant must have been in employment the week of 13th March. 

For further details on the payment, please click here.

If you need a PPS number, you can click here to apply for one.

Should you need advice or guidance on applying for this payment then get in touch with us.

Renting

There has been a ban imposed on both rent increases and evictions for the duration of the Covid-19 crisis. This is applicable to all tenants in private rented accommodation in Ireland.

If you are struggling to pay your rent, you can see further information on how to apply for rent supplement here. 

The HAP payment to your landlord will not be affected during the crisis. However, if you are experiencing a drop in income then you are encouraged to apply for the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (outlined above).

If you are struggling to meet your rent, then we urge you to speak to your landlord to devise a solution.

If you need further advice in relation to renting and housing, or need to be linked in with emergency accommodation at this time, then get in touch with us.

International protection applicants and those pending immigration status in the labour market

If you are currently accommodated in Direct Provision and are working under labour permissions, and you have lost your job as a result of the Covid-19 crisis then you are ineligible for the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment as you are already in receipt of a different DEASP payment.

You can reach out to us by emailing [email protected] / [email protected] or phoning 0860223008 (weekdays, 9am-5pm). (Out-Of-Hours emergency support: 0863813783)

We will continue to update this page with further information as we receive it.

 

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