Budget 2013 Social Protection: Reduction in time for laid-off workers to access social welfare

Workers who lose their jobs will have the length of time to access welfare payments reduced under budget changes.

Jobseekers’ benefit will be reduced from 12 months to nine months for new claimants from Apr 3 of next year. The money is given to people who are out of work and who are covered by social insurance (PRSI) payments.

Under changes next year, existing claimants will also only get an extra three months of the payment if they have been getting jobseekers’ benefit for less six months.