The Pandemic Unemployment Payment scheme is set to close to new entrants from tomorrow as the government moves to phase out the scheme.
The scheme brought in as a result of lockdown measures had originally been due to close to new recipients last week.
However following the government decision to postpone the reopening of indoor dining it was temporarily extended.
As the country reopens the government is ploughing ahead with phasing out the scheme which at one point saw 598,000 in receipt of the payment at the height of the pandemic last May.
This is in stark contrast to the 221,000 who will receive the payment this week.
Meanwhile the Department of Social Protection has asked anyone that's receiving the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) to confirm their continued eligibility for the payment by July 20.
In a statement, the Department said: "As is standard with all social welfare payments, people receiving the Pandemic Unemployment Payment may be asked from time to time to confirm their eligibility to continue to receive their payment.
"This helps to ensure that people who have, for example, returned to work are reminded to close their claim and avoid incurring an overpayment.
"Similar to earlier this year and last year the Department has begun a process of contacting PUP recipients asking them to confirm their ongoing entitlement."
If anyone is in receipt of the PUP, they're being asked to log onto MyWelfare and follow the instructions under the heading ‘Continued eligibility to receive PUP."
If an individual is experiencing difficulties during this process, they can also contact the dedicated helpline on 1890 800 024 (Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm).
Given the recent increase in scams and fraudsters impersonating government employees, the Department has also issued an updated fraud warning.
It states: "The Department wishes to make it absolutely clear that it is not requesting bank account or other financial institution details as part of the ‘Confirm Eligibility’ process."
