A number of changes will be noticed by those applying to the Jobseeker’s payment in February.
Last week, Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, announced that jobseeker payments would return to the post office in line with the easing of Covid-19 restrictions.
According to the latest update, the changes will apply initially to all new jobseeker applicants before extending to existing jobseekers over the coming months.
Back in 2020, anyone in receipt of social welfare was given the option of being paid into a bank account to help reduce the spread of the virus and ensure people could stick to social distancing guidelines.
However, from February the payments will return to the Post Office “reflecting the arrangements that were in place pre-Pandemic.”
The move will help cut down on social welfare fraud, as each individual in receipt of the payment will once again have to present themselves at the post office to receive their pay.
Therefore if you are aged 25 and over and are signing up for the Jobseeker’s allowance in February, you can collect your weekly sum of €208 in person at your local Post Office.
Any new applicants aged 18-24 that are living independently can collect their €208 at the post office weekly and those aged 18-24 that are not living independently will be able to collect €117.70 each week.
Speaking about the impending change, Minister Humphreys said: “I’m acutely conscious of the challenges that are facing the Post Office network.
“That’s why I’m delighted to announce the return of jobseeker payments to post offices, reflecting the arrangements that were in place pre-Pandemic.
“This is a measure that I know the Irish Postmasters Union and An Post have been calling for.
“Our post offices provide essential services in communities the length and breadth of the country.
“Even throughout the Pandemic, our postmasters, postmistresses and postal staff pulled out all the stops to meet the needs of their customers.
“I believe this is the right approach to take in terms of supporting the post office network and helping to reduce social welfare fraud.”
She went on to confirm that the move would be made in February for all new applicants, while changes will come down the line for existing recipients: “The requirement to physically visit your local post office in order to collect your jobseeker payment will apply initially to new claims, beginning next month.
“But over the coming months, my Department will work to extend this requirement to other jobseeker claims."
