Jobseeker's Allowance
A means-tested weekly payment for people who are unemployed and looking for work. It is the payment you claim when you do not have enough PRSI contributions for Jobseeker's Benefit, or when your Jobseeker's Benefit has run out.
- Type
- Means-tested
- Paid
- Every week
- Taxable
- No
- Administered by
- Department of Social Protection
How much is Jobseeker's Allowance?
€254/week
Aged 25 and over
| Aged 18–24 and living independently You must be getting a state housing support such as HAP or Rent Supplement. | €254/week |
|---|---|
| Aged 18–24 and not living independently | €163.70/week |
Increases you may also get
| Increase for an adult dependant | €168.60/week |
|---|---|
| Child Support Payment: child under 12 (full rate) | €58/week |
| Child Support Payment: child under 12 (half rate) | €29/week |
| Child Support Payment: child 12 or over (full rate) | €78/week |
| Child Support Payment: child 12 or over (half rate) | €39/week |
Budget 2027: from January 2027
Amounts a week. Announced, not yet in force. Until January 2027 you are paid the current rate.
| Rate | Now | From January 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 25 and over | €254 | €264 |
| Aged 18–24 and living independently | €254 | Not yet published |
| Aged 18–24 and not living independently | €163.70 | €173.70 |
| Increase for an adult dependant | €168.60 | €175.20 |
| Child Support Payment: child under 12 (full rate) | €58 | €64 |
| Child Support Payment: child under 12 (half rate) | €29 | Not yet published |
| Child Support Payment: child 12 or over (full rate) | €78 | €84 |
| Child Support Payment: child 12 or over (half rate) | €39 | Not yet published |
DSP lists €264 for age 25 and over and €173.70 for under 25. It does not separately list the rate for 18 to 24 year olds living independently.
Read from Department of Social Protection, Budget 2027, checked .
People aged 18–24 who have children qualify for the maximum personal rate of €254 regardless of living arrangements.
Who can get Jobseeker's Allowance
- You must be aged 18 or over and under 66.
- You must be unemployed (or working no more than 3 days a week).
- You must be capable of work, available for work and genuinely seeking work.
- You must be habitually resident in Ireland.
- You must pass the means test.
The Jobseeker's Allowance means test
Your income, savings, investments and any property other than your own home are assessed. Income from work reduces the payment but does not necessarily end it.
How your savings are assessed
All means-tested payments except Disability Allowance, Carer's Allowance and Supplementary Welfare Allowance.
| Capital | Weekly means assessed |
|---|---|
| First €20,000 | Nil |
| Next €10,000 | €1 per €1,000 |
| Next €10,000 | €2 per €1,000 |
| Balance | €4 per €1,000 |
Capital means your savings, investments, stocks, shares and any property other than your own home. Your own home is never assessed. Capital belonging to a spouse, civil partner or cohabitant is included.
Things people get caught by
- If you take up work, Jobseeker's Allowance may continue at a reduced rate for the days you are not working rather than stopping outright.
- Moving from Jobseeker's Allowance into full-time work with children usually means switching to Working Family Payment. The two are not paid together.
What else you might get
Payments interact. These are the ones that commonly go with Jobseeker's Allowance.
- Fuel Allowance
After 12 months on Jobseeker's Allowance, if you meet the Fuel Allowance means test.
- Medical Card
Not automatic. Assessed separately by the HSE.
- Working Family Payment
If you move into full-time work of 38 hours a fortnight or more with children in the household.