Farm Finance: farmers can access €350/week unemployment payment

An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has announced an increased unemployment benefit of €350/week for people who lose their jobs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This will benefit farmers who are working part-time of fully self-employed.

It is one of raft of new measures announced by An Taoiseach on Tuesday to help support people during the pandemic. Provided legislation passes through the Dáil on Thursday the payments should be in place on Friday.

Types of payment

COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

If you are an employed or self-employed farmer and you lose your job as a result of the pandemic you will be entitled to an increased welfare payment of €350/week for the duration of the pandemic.

If you have an adult and child dependent you are advised to claim Jobseekers payments as you can claim additional payments which are not available under the unemployment payment.

The easiest way to apply is online via mywelfare.ie

Government top-up scheme

The Government has announced a top-up scheme that will see them pay 70% of a workers’ salary - up to €410/week and the company is encouraged to pay the remaining 30%.

If you are an employee the payment will issue from the Revenue Commissioners but if you are self-employed you will see your payment come from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.

This is based on an average salary of €38,000/year.

The scheme is costing €3.7bn and will run for an initial 12 weeks. Companies must fulfill certain criteria to avail of the scheme which are available online.

Illness Benefit

Both employed and self-employed farmers can avail of Illness Benefit at the new increased rate of €350/week.

The Illness Benefit covers people who have contracted the virus or been forced to self-isolate.

To apply you must first get an Illness Benefit Certificate from your GP - you are advised to ring your GP for this certificate to avoid possibly spreading the virus.

You must then fill in an Illness Benefit application (Form IB 1). You can get this form through a number of methods:

Farm Assist and Rural Social Scheme

Farmers already on Farm Assist or the Rural Social Scheme will continue to receive payments if affected by virus.

Farm Assist and the Rural Social Scheme is worth a minimum payment of €203/week.

If farmers wish to join either scheme as a result of being made unemployed, the Irish Farmers Journal understands that the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection does have spaces available on both schemes if you wish to join.

Read more

Marts to shut under new restrictions

New COVID-19 guidance for UK vets