The Pandemic Unemployment Payment has been given an end date as Ireland moves towards a return to pre-Covid life.
The virus caused bedlam among employees nationwide when it first made ground here, and so in March 2020, the government brought in the support scheme for the thousands who were laid off.
Now that all businesses have been given the go-ahead to reopen and resume normal trading hours, the need for the Covid payment will naturally diminish as any remaining people who are in search of work are moved over to the standard Job Seekers Allowance.
In line with the latest announcement from an Taoiseach Micheal Martin detailing a vast easing of measures, the PUP officially closed to new applicants on January 22.
Since then it has been confirmed that the scheme will end on March 25, 2022.
The last payment will be sent to those who remain on the scheme on Tuesday, March 29, 2022.
However, some people's final PUP sum will arrive before this date as rates are gradually being reduced.
Therefore, from March 8, 2022, if you were earning €400 or over, and you are getting a PUP rate of €250 per week, you will be part of the final reduction, as your sum reduces to €208 per week.
If you were earning between €300 and €399.99, and you are getting a PUP rate of €208 per week, your PUP will stop.
If you have not returned to work before this date, you should apply for a jobseeker's payment.
In order to remain eligible for an unemployment payment in Ireland, you must be aged under 66 and:
- Be unemployed (you must be fully unemployed or unemployed for at least 4 days out of 7)
- Have had a substantial loss of employment and as a result be unemployed for at least 4 days out of 7
- Be capable of work
