Section 9 - Employment Supports and Educational Options
This section outlines the employment supports and the training and educational options available from this Department and other agencies, and discusses the role of the Facilitator.It covers:
- Family Income Supplement,
- Farm Assist,
- Facilitators,
- Back to Work Allowance (Employees),
- Back to Work Enterprise Allowance,
- Part-Time Job Incentive,
- PRSI Exemption Scheme,
- Revenue Job Assist,
- Partnership,
- Study,
- Back to Education Allowance (BTEA),
- the Education, Training and Development Option, and
- work and your medical card.
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9.1 Family Income Supplement
Family Income Supplement (FIS) is a weekly payment for families, including one parent families, at work on low pay. It is not subject to income tax and does not affect whether you can get a medical card.
How do I qualify?
You will qualify if:
- you work at least 19 hours every week (or 38 hours every fortnight)* in paid full-time employment that you expect to last for 3 months,
- you have at least one qualified child under age 18 or aged 18 to 22 in full-time education who normally lives with and is being supported by you, and
- your average weekly income is below a fixed amount for your family size.
* If you are married or cohabiting (living with someone as husband and wife) you may combine your hours with those of your spouse or partner.
If both you and your spouse or partner are working, your income will be added together.
Note:
In order to qualify for Family Income Supplement, either you or
your spouse must be engaged in insurable employment as
outlined. Self-employment alone does not qualify the household
for Family Income Supplement.If you are living with a parent or step-parent in the family home and aged over 18 and under 25 years you may be assessed on the benefit and privilege derived from their income.
Lone parents who work may qualify.
The main items counted as income are:
- your assessable earnings (see below),
- your spouse or partner's assessable earnings (see below),
- any extra income for you or your spouse or partner from employment (such as payments for overtime, bonuses, allowances or commission),
- income for you or your spouse or partner from self-employment,
- rental income from the letting of property or land, and
- other income, including social welfare or Health Service Executive payments except:
- Child Benefit,
- Carer's Allowance,
- Guardian's Payment (Contributory) or Guardian's Payment (Non-Contributory),
- Supplementary Welfare Allowance,
- Rent Allowance,
- Domiciliary Care Allowance,
- Foster Child Allowance,
- unearned income, for example, rent from property or interest on savings,
- income from a charity,
- income from providing accommodation to students studying Irish in Gaeltacht areas under a scheme administered by the Minister for the Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
What are assessable earnings?
For FIS, assessable earnings are gross pay minus:
- tax,
- employee PRSI,
- superannuation (pension contribution).
How much can I get?
Your payment is 60% of the difference between your weekly income and the income limit for your family size. Even if you only qualify for a small FIS payment, you will still get a minimum of €20 a week.
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If your have three children and your weekly assessable family income is €300, your FIS payment is calculated as follows:
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Income limit
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€655.00
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Your weekly assessable income
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- €300.00
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difference
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€355.00
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Weekly FIS payment
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€213.00
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The income limits for different family sizes and the minimum payments of FIS are in the Rates of Payment booklet SW 19.
How do I get my payment?
FIS is paid by direct payment into your account in a financial institution. Please contact FIS section to discuss alternative arrangements.
How long does payment last?
FIS is paid for 52 weeks while you continue working for at least 19 hours a week or 38 hours a fortnight. It is not affected by any change in family circumstances (except on the birth of a child, when we will review your payment).
Extra benefits
If you are getting FIS you may get:
- Smokeless Fuel Allowance (if you are living in certain areas where the sale of bituminous coal is banned), and
- Assistance under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme, i.e. Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance.
These are explained in Sections 10 and 11.
FIS and other social welfare payments
If you are a lone parent on low earnings, you may qualify for FIS in addition to your One-Parent Family Payment, Deserted Wife's Benefit or Widow's or Widower's Contributory Pension. If you are getting a Back to Work Allowance as an employee, you may qualify for a FIS payment.
You may receive FIS with Illness Benefit for up to 6 weeks.
You cannot get FIS if you are:
- getting Jobseeker's Benefit or Allowance, State Pension (Transition), Pre-Retirement Allowance, or included on your spouse's or partner's claim as a qualified adult.
You may not get FIS if you are taking part in a Community Employment Scheme, Rural Social Scheme or FÁS schemes except Job Initiative and Social Economy Programme.
Note:
If your spouse or partner is getting Jobseeker's Benefit or Allowance, State Pension (Transition) or Pre-Retirement Allowance, you may still qualify. However, their social welfare payment will be assessed as income.
When and how do I apply?
You should apply for FIS as soon as your average weekly income is below the income limit for your family size.
You can get an application form from your local Social Welfare Office or from:
Family Income Supplement Section
Social Welfare Services Office
Government Buildings
Ballinalee Road
Longford
Telephone: Longford (043) 334 00 00
Dublin (01) 704 3000
Note:
If you are taking up work and think you will be eligible for FIS, you should apply as soon as you take up the work even if you cannot fill in all the details on the application form. This will avoid any loss of the supplement.
For further details see information booklet SW 22 or contact Family Income Supplement Section at the address above.
9.2 Farm Assist
Farm Assist is a weekly means-tested payment for low income farmers. Farmers who have income from another source (such as other self-employment, insurable employment, or capital) may still qualify for a payment under the Farm Assist Scheme.
How do I qualify?
You will qualify if you:
- are a farmer,
- are aged between 18 and 66, and
- satisfy a means test.
How much can I get?
Your payment is made up of a personal rate for yourself with extra amounts for a qualified adult and qualified children. Your weekly rate of payment is the difference between your weekly means assessment and the maximum rate of Farm Assist. Since 1st January 2007, self-employed Farm Assist customers may be liable to pay PRSI contributions on their self-employed income. A Farm Assist customer who does not have a liability to pay PRSI he/she may become a voluntary contributor, if he/she meets certain conditions.
The current rates of Farm Assist are shown in the Rates of Payment booklet SW 19.
For more details, see information booklet Farm Assist SW 27.
9.3 Facilitators
Facilitators are part of our Employment Support Service. They can help you take up the wide range of work and educational options available from this Department and other agencies such as FÁS.
If you need help and advice, contact the Facilitator at your local Social Welfare Office.
9.4 Back to Work Allowance (BTWA)
This is a weekly payment for people in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment who take up approved employment. It allows you to keep a portion of your social welfare payment for 3 years without having to pay tax or PRSI on it.
How do I qualify?
Employees
You may qualify if you are:
- aged 23 or over, and
- getting Jobseeker's payments for 2 years or more and have an entitlement to Jobseeker's Allowance.
Time spent on FÁS or Fáilte Ireland training, FIT ,Community Employment, Rural Social Scheme, Social Economy Programme, Job Initiative, Back to Education schemes, VTOS or in prison is accepted as a period of unemployment.
You may also qualify if you are getting one of the following payments for 15 months (12 months if you are aged 50 or over):
- One-Parent Family Payment,
- Blind Pension,
- Disability Allowance,
- Carer's Allowance (in cases where the carer has ceased caring on a temporary or permanent basis),
- Farm Assist,
- Invalidity Pension,
- Incapacity Supplement,
- Pre-Retirement Allowance,
- Widow's or Widower's (Non-Contributory) Pension,
- Deserted Wife's Benefit or Allowance,
- Prisoner's Wife's Allowance,
or
- Illness Benefit (for 3 years or more).
If you are released from prison you may also qualify provided you satisfy the necessary criteria,
or
you are a qualified adult of an eligible claimant for BTWA. The claimant must transfer their entitlement to you,
or
time spent by asylum seekers and homeless persons getting Supplementary Welfare Allowance or Direct Provision will count towards the qualifying period provided they are entitled to a relevant social welfare payment before starting this scheme.
Employers
Employers who can provide suitable jobs are eligible to participate.
The work being offered must:
- not displace another employee,
- be a minimum of 20 hours a week,
- last at least 12 months.
Commission based, seasonal or temporary work is not allowed for the scheme.
Employers taking on new employees who receive the BTWA for the first time with them may qualify for the Employers' PRSI Exemption Scheme (see Section 9.7).
Back to Work Allowance is not paid for jobs already funded under FÁS, Job Initiative or Revenue Job Assist.
Benefits to participants
You will receive payment for the BTWA (including increases for a qualified adult and any qualified children) for 3 years as follows:
- 75% of the weekly social welfare payment for the first year,
- 50% for the second year, and
- 25% for the third year.
You will also keep any 'secondary benefits' for 3 years (as long as the household income is below a certain weekly limit).
Secondary Benefits include:
- Fuel Allowance,
- Christmas Bonus,
- Medical Mards (the income limit does not apply),
- Rent and Mortgage Interest Supplement,
- Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance,
- Diet Supplement, and
- variable local authority rents.
These are explained in Sections 10 and 11.
How do I get paid the allowance?
You can get it by direct payment every week into your account in a financial institution.
When and how do I apply?
You must apply before starting work. You can get an application form from your local Social Welfare Office.
For more information on this scheme see information booklet Back to Work Allowance SW 93 or contact your local Social Welfare Office.
9.5 Back to Work Enterprise Allowance ( BTWEA)
This is a weekly payment for unemployed people who set up their own business. It allows you to keep a portion of your social welfare payment for 4 years, and is not subject to PRSI or tax.
Time spent on FÁS or Fáilte Ireland training, FIT, Community Employment Scheme, Rural Social Scheme, Social Economy Programme, Job Initiative, Back to Education schemes, VTOS, or time in prison is accepted as a period of unemployment.
How do I qualify?
You may qualify if you:
- are setting up a self-employment business that already has approval in writing by a Partnership Company or Facilitator, and
- getting
- Jobseeker's Benefit or Assistance for at least 2 years,
or
- One-Parent Family Payment, Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, Farm Assist, Incapacity Supplement, Pre-Retirement Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Carer's Allowance, Widow's or Widower's (Non-Contributory) Pension, Deserted Wife's Benefit or Allowance or Prisoner's Wife's Allowance for at least 12 months,
or
- Illness Benefit for 3 years or longer.
If you are released from prison you may also qualify as long as you satisfy the other conditions for the allowance,
or
you are a qualified adult of an eligible claimant for BTWEA. The claimant must transfer their entitlement to you.
or
time spent by asylum seekers and homeless persons getting Supplementary Welfare Allowance or Direct Provision will count towards the qualifying period provided they are entitled to a relevant social welfare payment before starting this scheme.
Benefits to participants
You will receive payment for the BTWEA (including increases for a qualified adult and any qualified children) for 4 years as follows:
- 100% of your weekly social welfare payment for the first year,
- 75% for the second year,
- 50% for the third year, and
- 25% for the fourth year.
You will also keep any 'secondary' benefits for 4 years (as long as the household income is less than €317.43 gross per week).
Secondary Benefits include:
- Fuel Allowance,
- Christmas Bonus,
- Medical Cards (the income limit does not apply),
- Rent and Mortgage Interest Supplement,
- Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance,
- Diet Supplement, and
- variable local authority rents.
These are explained in Sections 10 and 11.
Additional supports
If you are starting a business, you may get extra supports such as:
- technical assistance and training grants (for training, market research, business plans, book-keeping etc),
- employment grants,
- preferential First Step loans,
- the credit union loan guarantee fund,
- assistance with public liability insurance.
You should do a 'Start Your Own Business Course' before starting self-employment.
For more details on supports, contact your local Partnership Company or the Facilitator in your local Social Welfare Office.
How do I get paid the allowance?
You can get the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance by direct payment every week into your account in a financial institution.
If you are getting Jobseeker's Allowance or Benefit before going onto Back to Work Enterprise Allowance, your payment will be arranged through your local Social Welfare Office.
When and how do I apply?
You should apply by filling in an application form, which you can get
online at forms or from your local Social Welfare Office. You must apply before you begin self-employment.
For more information, see information booklet SW 92 or contact your local Facilitator or the local Partnership Company. See details of addresses in Appendix 4. You can also get information from:
Employment Support Services
Dept. of Social and Family Affairs
Shannon Lodge
Carrick-on-Shannon
Co. Leitrim
Telephone: (071) 967 2698
9.6 Part-Time Job Incentive Scheme (PTJI)
The Part-Time Job Incentive Scheme allows certain long-term unemployed people to take up a part-time job and receive a special weekly allowance instead of their jobseeker's payment.
You may take part in the scheme if you get part-time work for under 24 hours a week and immediately beforehand you were getting:
- Jobseeker's Allowance for 15 months or more at a higher rate than the part-time job incentive rate payable in your case.
See SW 19 Rates of Payment booklet for current rate.
The job must be insurable at PRSIClass A or J.
You must agree to stay on the scheme for 2 months.
How is the allowance paid?
Payment is made each week at your local post office. You must go to your local Social Welfare Office each week to give a signed declaration of the hours you have worked.
You will be given a form to be completed by your employer at the end of each four week period. This form is to confirm that you worked for less than 24 hours each week and that you are insurably employed.
How long can I stay on the PTJI Scheme?
Initially, you can stay on the PTJI Scheme for 1 year. This can be extended for further periods. While on the scheme you should continue to look for full-time work.
Extra benefits
Medical Card - you will keep your medical card for the duration of the PTJI Scheme regardless of your earnings (up to a maximum of 3 years).
The Facilitator at your local Social Welfare Office will be able to give you more information on the Part-Time Job Incentive Scheme and on any other available options.
See information leaflet SW 69 for further details.
How do I apply?
Once you have secured a part-time job you should contact your local Social Welfare Office for application form PTA 1.
9.7 Employers' PRSI Exemption Scheme
If you, the employer are taking on new employees who receive the Back to Work Allowance for the first time, at the date they start work with you, you may qualify for the Employers' PRSI Exemption Scheme. This means that you will be exempt from paying the employers share of the employees PRSI contribution for a maximum of 2 years subject to you submitting a current Tax Clearance Certificate or C2 card.
See information leaflet SW 73 for further details.
9.8 Revenue Job Assist
If you are getting a jobseeker's payment for at least 12 months and take up a job for at least 30 hours a week, which you expect to last at least 12 months, you may qualify for Revenue Job Assist.
This means you may receive additional tax credits for 3 years. However, do not apply if you are on the Back to Work Allowance or employment schemes except the Job Initiative Employment Scheme.
Contact your local tax office for more information.
9.9 Partnerships
Your local Partnership company offers a range of supports, including information, training and assistance about finding work.. See Appendix 4 for list of Partnerships around the country.
For more information contact Pobal.
Telephone: (01) 240 0716
Email: enquiries@pobal.ie
Website: www.pobal.ie/live/ldsip
9.10 Study
You can avail of a full-time second or third level course, VTOS, or an educational training and development course, and still receive a payment. If you are not eligible for any of these options or if you don't want to do a full-time course, you can attend a part-time course.
Contact the Facilitator at your local Social Welfare Office for more information.
9.11 Back to Education Allowance
If you would like to return to education, you may qualify for the Back to Education Allowance ( BTEA). You may normally get the payment for the length of the course, including holiday periods. However, if you are getting a jobseeker's payment before returning to education, you can get the allowance only for the academic year.
How do I Qualify
You will qualify for BTEA if you are:
- aged 21 or over, and
- getting one of the following social welfare payments for at least,
6 months (156 days) for a Second Level Course
12 months (312 days) for a Third Level Course
- Jobseeker's Allowance or Benefit or Farm Assist
- One-Parent Family Payment, deserted Wife's Benefit or Allowance, Widow's or Widower's (Non-Contributory) Pension,Widow's or Widower's (Contributory) Pension or Prisoner's Wife's Allowance, or Carer's Allowance
or
- aged 18 or over, and
- getting one of the social welfare payments for at least,
6 months (156 days) for a Second Level Course
12 months (312 days) for a Third Level Course
- Blind Pension, Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension or Incapacity Supplement (based on a life Disablement Pension),
or
- age between 18 and 20 years,
- out of formal education for 2 years, and
- getting one of the following social welfare payments for at least,
6 months (156 days) for a Second Level Course
12 months (312 days) for a Third Level Course
- Jobseeker's Allowance or Benefit,
- One Parent Family Payment,
or
- age 18 or over, and,
- getting Illness Benefit for at least 3 years.
Time spent on FÁS or Fáilte Ireland training, FIT, Community Employment, Rural Social Scheme, Social Economy Programme, Job Initiative, Back to Education schemes, Back to Work or Job Assist may count towards the qualifying period if you have been recently awarded statutory redundancy and have the entitlement to a relevant social welfare payment you may qualify for BTEA.
Note:
You may qualify for BTEA if getting a jobseeker's payment for 9 months (234 days) and the course you intend taking is recommended by a FÁS Employment Service Officer as part of your National Employment Action Plan (NEAP) process.
Study Options
Under the BTEA scheme, you may pursue a full-time second or third level course of study:
How do I apply?
Contact your local second or third level school or college for details of the courses available and how to obtain a place on the course of your choice.
When you have been accepted on a course you should tell this Department by filling in the form ( BTE 1). Application forms are also available from your local Social Welfare Office, Post Office, Citizens Information Centre.
How much can I get?
Back to Education Allowance is paid at a standard rate. If you are
currently getting a reduced social welfare payment you will qualify for ahigher weekly rate of BTEA. You can also qualify for an annual allowance towards your cost of your studies as well as your weekly payment. This allowance is paid at the start of each academic year and will be €500 for the 2008/2009 academic year. You must apply
before you begin self-employment.
How do I get my Payment?
You may get Back to Education Allowance by direct payment every week into your account in a financial institution.
See information booklet SW 70 for details. You can also get information from your local Social Welfare Office or:
Back to Education Allowance Section
Department of Social and Family Affairs
Social Welfare Services Office
Government Buildings
Shannon Lodge
Carrick-on-Shannon
Co. Leitrim
Telephone: (071) 967 2531
9.12 Education, Training and Development Option (ET&D)
If you are getting a jobseeker’s payment and your choice of course is not covered under the Back to Education Allowance Scheme, you may keep your jobseeker’s payment while doing a course of education, training or development.
It must be clear that the course will enhance your employment prospects. A broad range of courses are approved – from basic education to general training or specific job skills. Before you start a course, you should always check with your local Social Welfare Office to see if your social welfare payment will be affected.
See information booklet SW 70 for details.
9.13 Work and your Medical Card
If you have a medical card and you have been unemployed for at least 12 months and get work, or take part in any of the schemes outlined above, you will keep your medical card for 3 years. Participants on the BTWEA will keep their medical card for the duration of the scheme.
Contact your local Health Service Executive for more information.
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Your Personal Public Service Number
You will need your Personal Public Service Number (PPS No.) for all dealings with Government Departments and public bodies such as Health Service Executive or Revenue.
The PPS No. is part of the REACH programme ( http://www.reach.ie/) aimed at developing more integrated and better customer service. Future benefits include fast and secure access to a wider range of public services, reduced form filling and improved service delivery.
If you already had an RSI No. then you do not need to apply for a PPS No. as it automatically became your PPS No.
See section 2.1 for more details
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