New measures in COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) for the Self- Employed

Budget 2021 introduced an earnings threshold of €480 per month for self-employed people who are in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment. The threshold limit is based on gross income minus trading expenses and before tax and PRSI are deducted. It is on the basis of a 4 week moving average, but only if self-employed. Employees are not eligible. The measure will allow a self-employed individual to take up occasional work opportunities and still retain their full Pandemic Unemployment Payment.

Please find information and contact details at the bottom of the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment Page here.

If a person is engaged in occasional work and goes over the threshold they should close their Pandemic Unemployment claim, but may subsequently re-open it if they move below the threshold (and if the scheme is still open to new entrants).

Where a person exceeds this threshold and is engaging in regular limited self-employment, access to the Part-Time Job Incentive has been extended to those who transition from the Pandemic Unemployment Payment. Under this scheme, a self-employed person who has been in receipt of the  Pandemic Unemployment, for at least 16 weeks, can engage in self-employment for up to 24 hours per week and retain a personal weekly rate of payment of €128.60. A self-employed jobseeker with a qualified adult can be paid €209.70 per week.

For further information on the the new Part-Time Job Incentive scheme please click on link here.