A number of updates have been issued by the Department of Social Protection today in regards to their ‘Back to School’ scheme, the PUP, and dates to be aware of if you are still in receipt of the Covid payment.
As restrictions continue to ease and people are returning to work, a number of changes are being made to the PUP dates that were announced in recent weeks.
Aside from the latest on the scheme for parents of school kids, below are all of the updates around the PUP that you need to know.
Back to school
The ‘Back to School Allowance’ scheme remains open until September 30 for applications.
This is a means-tested once-off payment aimed at helping families with all the extra costs when children return to school.
To qualify:
- you must be in receipt of a qualifying social protection payment or participating in approved employment, education or training support scheme
- you must be in receipt of an increase for a qualified child (IQC) in respect of each child for whom the allowance is being claimed (except in certain circumstances)
- each child being claimed for must be: aged between 4 and 17 or aged between 18 and 22, and returning to second-level education in the autumn
- the assessable income for your household must be within a set income limit
- you and each child in respect of whom the allowance is claimed must be resident in the State
If you were not notified of an automated payment by the end of June, you can apply at MyWelfare.ie.
PUP
This week, the Department of Social Protection issued weekly payments worth €41.4 million to 140,138 people.
This represents a fall of 3,468 compared to last week as more and more people return to work amid Ireland’s continued reopening.
The biggest decrease in recipients this week was seen in those heading back to work in the Accommodation and Food Services sector.
Speaking about the latest drop in numbers, Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys said:
“This week marked another significant milestone in our country’s recovery from COVID-19 with the easing of further restrictions.
“Employers right across the economy should be commended for putting in place the necessary measures to ensure their staff and indeed customers are protected.
“Through ‘Pathways to Work’, my department is working closely with employers who are seeking employees to fill vacancies in their workplace.
“Likewise, we are continuing to support job seekers who are looking to find new opportunities for sustainable employment.”
Job seekers
Meanwhile, as the government prepares to start transitioning people from the PUP to the standard job seekers allowance over the next few months, a change in date was announced earlier this week for those on the lowest payment.
They were due to be moved over to Job Seekers later this month, however, due to the fact that many people on this band of pay are still awaiting a return to work, the date has now been pushed to October 22.
Speaking about this change, Ms Humphreys said; “I am acutely aware that some sectors of the economy are reopening slower than others.
“That’s why as Minister, I have deferred the transition of workers from the PUP to jobseeker’s benefit until after October 22.
“In practical terms, this will mean that any self-employed person on the €203 PUP rate will continue to be able to avail of €960 without being impacted.
“I know that this flexibility is something people in the entertainment industry have called for and I am happy as Minister to provide it.”
The top three rates of PUP will reduce by €50 this month, with the maximum weekly rate of €350 reducing to €300.
The current rate of €300 will reduce to €250 and the current rate of €250 will reduce to €203.
These new payment rates will be reflected in payments received on Tuesday 14 September.
Two further phases of rate changes are scheduled to take place from November 16, 2021 and February 8, 2022.
As PUP recipients go on to the €203 rate in each phase, they will be transitioned to standard jobseeker terms.
