Question to the Minister for Social Protection (Ms. Joan Burton, TD)
To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will clarify whether a married couple regarding a married couple, one of whom is in receipt of a jobseeker’s payment, if the temporary income from providing accommodation in their home for students over the summer period will affect their social welfare entitlement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. – Jerry Buttimer
For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 8th July, 2014
REPLY
There are two types of jobseeker payments, jobseeker’s benefit and jobseeker’s allowance.
Entitlement to jobseeker’s benefit is based on PRSI contributions paid by the customer. Jobseeker’s benefit rates are made up of a personal rate and increases for a qualified adult, and qualified children. The personal rate and children’s rate are not subject to a means test. The income of a qualified adult is however taken into account to determine if an adult dependant allowance is payable.
Jobseeker’s allowance is a means tested payment. All income is taken into account in determining the means of a customer and qualified adult. Where a customer is providing accommodation in their home for students over the summer period any income derived, less associated expenses, will be taken into consideration when determining means.
The couple in question should contact their local social welfare/Intreo office for further information in this regard.