COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment
27 October 2020 Changes to Pandemic Unemployment Payment from 19/10/2020
In recognition of the challenges to employment posed by moving Ireland to level 5 restrictions of the Plan for Living with COVID,[1] the government has decided that from 16 October 2020 until 31 January 2021 the Pandemic Unemployment Payment will be paid at 4 rates.
- if you earned less than €200 per week - the rate of the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment will be €203 per week
- if you earned between €200 and €299.99 per week - the rate of the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment will be €250 per week,
- if you earned between €300 and €399.99 per week - the rate of the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment will be €300 per week,
- if you earned €400 and over- you will receive €350.
This rate change was announced on 19 October. It is effective from Friday 16 October, therefore payments made on Tuesday 27 October will include the new rate of €350 where applicable. The new payment rates will only be effective from 16 October onwards meaning that payments rates will not be backdated.
PUP Rate Calculation
In calculating an employees rate of payment, the department will examine the employees average gross weekly earnings in 2019, and compare it to their average gross weekly earnings in January and February 2020. The higher earnings figure will be used to determine your new weekly payment rate.
- €250 per week,
- if you earned between €300 and €399.99 per week - the rate of the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment will be €300 per week,
- if you earned €400 and over- you will receive €350.
This rate change was announced on 19 October. It is effective from Friday 16 October, therefore payments made on Tuesday 27 October will include the new rate of €350 where applicable. The new payment rates will only be effective from 16 October onwards meaning that payments rates will not be backdated.
PUP Rate Calculation
In calculating an employees rate of payment, the department will examine the employees average gross weekly earnings in 2019, and compare it to their average gross weekly earnings in January and February 2020. The higher earnings figure will be used to determine your new weekly payment rate.
For self-employed individuals, the department will use the information on 2018 and 2019 earnings that was provided to Revenue. DSP will examine self-employed individuals average weekly income for 2018 and 2019 and use the higher to decide your rate of payment.
Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme
The EWSS is also being amended to align with the amendment to PUP. This means here will be 5 payment rates/bands as follows:
- 0 - €151 = €0
- >€151 < €203 = €203
- >€203 < €300 = €250
- >€300 < €400 = €300
- >€400< €1,462 = €350
The main aim of this scheme is to ensure where possible employees retain their link with their employer rather than become unemployed. This revised scheme will run to end January 2021.