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As an ex-employee, now working as a self-employed person, if my business fails will I qualify again for social welfare?
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As an ex-employee, now working as a self-employed person, if my business fails will I qualify again for social welfare?
Like all self-employed individuals who fall into unemployment, depending on the length of your self-employment you may find yourself not qualifying for ‘Jobseekers Benefit’ on the grounds of having insufficient social insurance (PRSI) contributions.
The basic rules are:
At least 104 weeks' PRSI paid since you first started work
and
Have 39 weeks paid or credited in the relevant tax year
or
Have 26 weeks paid in the relevant tax year and 26 weeks paid in the tax year immediately before the relevant tax year.
If you have insufficient PRSI contributions for Jobseekers Benefit you may apply for Jobseekers Allowance, but for this you must satisfy a means test.
This means test can be complex but takes into account:
- Household income (including that of your spouse / partner)
- Cash income (including income from work)
- Property personally used
- Savings, investments and property not personally used
- Benefits from living with parents.
In summary, the amount of Jobseekers Allowance you will get will depend on the relative values of the above.
Answered by
Nick Linnane
