While many people continue to struggle in the midst of a cost of living crisis, there is one little known social welfare payment boost some could avail of.
Those who work could add €227 a week to their wages due to the Part-Time Job Incentive Scheme, which is intended as a way of reaching full time work, however, there are a few criteria that must be met.
You must be seeking full-time work while you are on the Part-Time Job Incentive Scheme, Dublin Live reported.
What exactly is the Part-Time Job Incentive Scheme?
The Part-Time Job Incentive (PTJI) Scheme enables certain people in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance (JA) to get part-time work and a special weekly allowance as an alternative to their usual payment.
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The individual must be available for and seeking full-time work while on the Part-Time Job Incentive Scheme.
What does the payment amount to?
As an alternative to the usual payment, you will receive a weekly allowance of:
- €139.40 per week as a single person
- €227.30 per week if you are getting an increase for a qualified adult
Qualified children will not receive an increase. The allowance is also paid out regardless of your employment earnings.
While the allowance is not taxable, your wages will be taxable in the usual way.
Who can get the Part-Time Job Incentive Scheme?
You can get the PTJI Scheme if you are working less than 24 hours per week and if before that you were:
- On long-term Jobseeker’s Allowance (JA) for at least 390 days (15 months). Days of unemployment on Jobseeker's Benefit (JB) count towards the 390 days if you were getting JB immediately before you got Jobseeker’s Allowance.
- Getting a weekly JA payment of at least €139.40 if you are single or €227.30 if you are getting an increase for a qualified adult.
You must stay on the scheme for 2 months. You can have in excess of one part-time job if you work less than 24 hours.
If you get full-time work you may not return to the PTJI Scheme at the end of your full-time work even if you only work for a short amount of time. Self-employed may not receive the scheme.
How do you apply for the Part-Time Job Incentive Scheme?
Contact the Intreo Centre or local Social Welfare Branch Office to look into getting the PTJI scheme.
They will have you fill out the form for the PTJI1 and provide details of your part-time employment.
Your employer will also fill out the PTJI2 at the end of each four-week period to confirm the hours that you worked and that you are verifiably employed.
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