People applying to receive the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) for the first time have until today to sign up to the scheme.
From Thursday, it will be shut for new entrants as the government plans to wind down financial payments as the economy and society reopens.
The scheme for new entrants was due to be closed off last week but following the government’s decision to postpone the resumption of indoor dining, the Department of Social Protection extended the scheme for an additional week.
The PUP was introduced last year for people who had lost their jobs due to the Covid-19 pandemic and government restrictions.
The government aims to move PUP recipients back to the basic jobseekers rate – €203 for a single person.
The payments will begin to be wound down by €50 starting in September.
Speaking last month, Minister for Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys explained: “There are three payments at the minute, there is €350 to €300 and €250.
“So on September 7, the €350 payments will reduce to €300, the €300 will go to €250 and the €250 will then go to €203.
“For those people who are currently on €203, we will transition them to the standard jobseeker’s payment.”
Under the State’s Economic Recovery Plan, the weekly payment rate will reduce by €50 on the following dates:
7 September 2021
16 November 2021
8 February 2022
If your reduced PUP payment is less than the jobseekers payment or other social welfare income supports that you qualify for, you will get the higher payment.
