From November this year, all self-employed workers and contractors will be entitled to claim jobseeker’s benefit should they go out of business.

As announced in last year’s budget,

“The introduction of a new Jobseeker’s Benefit scheme for the self-employed represents the next step in the

Government’s work to extend PRSI benefits and will provide an income safety net to thousands of small and medium businesses throughout the country.”

Currently, the rate is €203 per week, with dependant supplements also available. Self Employed workers will now have access to a range of employment supports also.

To qualify, a self-employed worker has to have in excess of 260 (5 years) PRSI contributions to obtain job seekers benefit for 9 months, otherwise, this reduces to 6 months.

Why not read some of our previous blogs here