New provisions for older jobseekers
The Department of Social Protection is putting new administrative provisions in place to ease the transition from the labour force into retirement.
From 1 January 2014, if you are claiming Jobseeker’s Benefit or Allowance and are aged 62 or over, the following will apply:
- You will no longer be required to engage with the activation process and you will not be subject to penalty rates for non-engagement
- You can voluntarily avail of a range of supports (for example, training or employment support programmes) from the Department of Social Protection
In addition, most jobseekers aged 62 or over will be
placed on a yearly signing arrangement with their local social welfare office (this means that they do not need to sign on regularly) and
most will be transferred to Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) payments so payment can be made directly into their bank account.
Certain categories of older jobseekers may be required to engage more frequently with their local social welfare office. For example, casual jobseekers of 62 and older must continue to submit weekly dockets of their work patterns.
Note that to qualify for either Jobseeker’s Benefit or Allowance you must be genuinely seeking work and be available for full-time employment and these conditions will continue to apply to older jobseekers.