Checklist when applying for Jobseeker's Benefit

Introduction

When you apply for Jobseeker’s Benefit you must bring certain documents.

If you lose your job or are made redundant

If you lose your job or are made redundant you should bring your P45 or a letter from your employer confirming the last day you worked.

If you don’t have your P45 or a letter from your employer you should still apply. However, it is important to bring either your P45 or a letter from your employer as soon as possible to your Social Welfare Local Office.

If you have difficulty getting your P45 from your employer tell the member of staff dealing with your claim at your Social Welfare Local Office.

If you are made redundant you will also need to bring documentation showing how much redundancy you have received. If you are getting only statutory redundancy you need to bring your RP 50. If you are getting more than statutory redundancy you should bring a letter from your employer stating how much redundancy you have been given. If your claim for redundancy hasn’t yet been settled you should still apply for Jobseeker’s Benefit. When you get your redundancy payment you must inform your Social Welfare Local Office. Find out more about your rights to redundancy payments.

If you are laid off

If you are laid off temporarily, you may or may not get a P45. If you don’t have a P45 you must bring a letter from your employer stating the following:

• You have been laid off work without pay
• The last day you worked
• The reason for the lay off
• How long he or she expects you will be laid off.

If your days of work are reduced

If your days of work are reduced you must bring a letter from you employer stating the following:

• Your days at work have been reduced on a temporary basis
• The number of days you worked each week
• The number of days you now work each week
• The reduction in your pay.

You will also need to bring the following documents and information with you:

You will need to bring the following documents with you when you apply for Jobseeker's Benefit (JB):

• Your Personal Public Service Number
• Details of your availability for work and any efforts you have made to get work. For example, letters you have written to employers and any responses you have received
• Details of your income
• Details of your spouse/partner's income (if any)
• Details of your dependent children
• Your P45. This is a form you will receive from your last employer detailing tax/PRSI paid to date in the current tax year. You must either bring it on the date of your claim or (if unable to do so), to bring it in on the next day of attendance. Find out what you can do if your employer will not give you a P45.
• Your P60. This is a form given to you each year by your employer. It details your pay and tax paid for the relevant year. Find out what you can do if you do not get aP60 from your employer.
• Proof of your identity - see below for more information
• Proof of address - see below for more information

Evidence of identity

You can provide evidence of your identity by showing your passport or your driver's licence.

If you do not have either a passport or driver’s licence, you should bring any other document that you may have, particularly one that has your photograph on it.

The following documents may also be acceptable: credit card, debit card, medical card, age ID card, work ID card, club membership card.

The following items are not accepted as proof of identity:

• Birth or baptismal certificates
• Bills or personal letters

A claim cannot be decided until identity has been proven

Evidence of address

You may be asked to show evidence of your address. You should bring any of the following documents:

• Recent bills from utility companies such as electricity, telephone (landline or mobile), gas, cable television, waste charges etc.
• Recent statements/letters from banks, building societies, credit unions, credit card companies or other financial institutions
• Recent letters addressed to you from insurance companies, local authorities, government departments or the Revenue Commissioners
• Local authority rent book, mortgage or leasing agreement

Note: a recent document is one issued within the last 2 months. All documents must be originals, not photocopies.

If there is doubt about your address, the Jobseeker's Benefit claim is not awarded for payment until your address is verified.