People may not know that four key groups may be disqualified from claiming the payment for at least nine weeks
13:39, 01 Nov 2025Updated 13:40, 01 Nov 2025
Dara Calleary(Image: Collins)
Pay-related Jobseeker’s Benefit was introduced earlier this year, with up to €450 a week being paid out to those who can avail of it.
However, people may not know that four key groups may be disqualified from claiming the payment for at least nine weeks. Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit (JPRB) is a payment you can get if you become unemployed.
The amount of JPRB you get is directly linked to your earnings from work before you became unemployed. However, you may be disqualified from getting Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit for up to 9 weeks if you:
Left work voluntarily without good causeRefuse an offer of suitable employment or trainingLose your job through your own wilful misconductRefuse or fail to engage with Employment Services Support while your benefit has been reduced
Any period of time that you are disqualified is counted as part of the continuous period of unemployment. You will be awarded credited contributions during your disqualification as long as you continue to be available for, capable of and genuinely seeking work.
Here’s more details on the four things that can disqualify you from the payment.
Refusal of offer of suitable employment
A disqualification of up to 9 weeks may be imposed if the Deciding Officer is satisfied that a customer refused an offer of suitable employment. Each case is examined with regard to the particular circumstances that apply to it.
Loss of Employment through their own misconduct
A disqualification of up to 9 weeks may be imposed if the Deciding Officer is satisfied from the evidence before them that the reason the person lost their employment was due to their own misconduct and the misconduct was wilful and has directly caused the loss of the employment. The period of disqualification may only be imposed from the date that the person lost their employment.
Examples of misconduct that may lead to disqualification could include:
unexplained absence from work/bad timekeeping without valid reasontheft from place of workwilfully disruptive/unreasonable behaviour at work
Occasionally, an employer may give a person the option of resigning rather than being dismissed for misconduct. Where a disqualification is considered appropriate in such a case, the ground of disqualification is “misconduct” rather than “leaving the job voluntarily”.
Voluntarily left employment
A person may be disqualified for receiving Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit for up to 9 weeks from the date of leaving employment if they have left it voluntarily without good cause. ‘Good cause’ is not defined in legislation, and it is for the Deciding Officer to consider the facts to show good cause of each case on an individual basis.
Factors that may be taken into account could include the circumstances surrounding any changes in working conditions, the financial situation of the firm; whether leaving the employment amounted to constructive dismissal (i.e. the person left the employment following harassment/abuse from the employer).
Refusal or failure to engage with Employment Support Services Measures where benefit has been reduced by 20%
A 9-week Disqualification of Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit may be imposed in circumstances where a person has already had their rate reduced by 20% for a period of not less than 21 calendar days (3 weeks) and continues to refuse or fail, without good cause, to engage in Group Engagement, one to one meetings, suitable education, training or development opportunities or specified employment programmes and schemes.
Get more details on Gov.ie here.
Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice .
For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage .