Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 section 68F

Rate of jobseeker's benefit (self-employed) relating to certain average reckonable weekly earnings and certain periods

Section 68F sets out the weekly payment rates for self-employed people claiming jobseeker's benefit, graduated according to their previous average reckonable weekly income.

• Weekly benefit rates are graduated according to previous average reckonable earnings, ensuring that self-employed claimants cannot be better off on benefit than they were while working.
• Standard weekly rates are: €198.90 (previous earnings €220–€299.99), €163.70 (earnings €150–€219.99), or €114.00 (earnings below €150).
• Reduced rates apply where a claimant refuses to attend activation meetings or participate in prescribed schemes, courses, or programmes, bringing payments down to €128.40, €105.70, or €73.60 depending on earnings band.
• This graduated structure maintains a financial incentive to return to work or establish a new business.