New €450 Social Welfare payment boost for thousands - check here if you're eligible

Thousands of people receiving social welfare payments could be eligible for a new beefed up jobseekers payment in the New Year.

The €450-a-week Pay-Related Benefit payment will be paid to jobseekers who have "a strong work history" with the payment amount linked to their previous salary. 

The scheme was introduced earlier this year by Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys and kicks in from March 31, 2025. 

Who is eligible?

The scheme will be available to persons who become fully unemployed after the commencement of the scheme. The amount will depend upon an individual's PRSI contributions in the previous five years.

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

The weekly rate of payment for people who have at least 5 years paid PRSI contributions will be set at 60% of previous earnings, subject to a maximum of €450 for the first 3 months.

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After that, the rate will reduce to 55% of earnings, subject to a maximum of €375 for the following 3 months. A further 3 months will be paid at the rate of 50%, up to a maximum €300 payment.

For people who have between 2 and 5 years paid contributions, the rate will be set at 50% of previous earnings subject to a maximum for €300 per week and 6 month’s duration.

People who lose their job before that date will be remain entitled to the existing Jobseeker’s Benefit.

Speaking at the time, Minister Humphreys said: 

Commenting on the Bill’s passing, Minister Humphreys said: “At the moment, when a person who has worked hard for twenty years suddenly loses their job, they receive the same rate of unemployment payment as somebody who might never have worked. That’s not fair.

“We need to reward the people who have worked hard; paid their dues; and contributed to the economy through their PRSI contributions. That’s what Pay Related Benefit is about.

“This is about supporting workers who lose their employment by ensuring they don’t suffer a cliff-edge drop in income.

“The reality is people enter into financial commitments which are commensurate with their income. When I worked in the Credit Union sector, I saw it first hand; people who had good jobs, who worked hard, and then all of a sudden when they lost their job, they had a cliff-edge drop in income and they weren’t able to meet the mortgage payment. It put families under huge stress. Pay Related Benefit is about giving those people a safety net."