PUP DROPS TWO THIRDS FROM PEAK IN EARLY MAY
THE number of people claiming the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) has fallen by almost two-thirds to 232,400 from its peak as economic activity picks up.
The average €310-a-week to each claimant totals €72.2m paid today.
The falling claims are a decrease of 30,100 on the 262,500 people paid last week and a 61 per cent drop on the 598,000 paid at the pandemic’s peak on May 5.
In the past seven days, 9,700 people have closed their claim for a PUP with 4,300 receiving their final payment today.
Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys said: ‘The Pandemic Unemployment Payment continues to be a vital source of income for thousands of individuals and families across the country.
‘That’s why I took the decision to extend the payment until April 2021 as the Government continues to roll-out measures aimed at getting people back to work,’ she added.
‘Resources are not unlimited’
‘While I know people are frustrated and going through a difficult time, it’s more important than ever that we continue our efforts to protect ourselves, our families, our colleagues and our communities.
‘Last week has clearly shown that the virus is persistent and continues to affect us with increasing numbers contracting it.
‘We cannot take unnecessary risks which could reverse the significant progress we have made,’ continued the Minister.
At the beginning of last week, there were approximately 29,000 people who had not confirmed their continued eligibility despite having received personal notifications on four separate occasions, the final one being in the week ending August 9, the Department said.
Just over 1,000 of these did confirm their continued eligibility by the deadline last Friday, so will continue to receive their payment.
But the remainder will not receive a payment today as their PUP claim has now been closed.
However, anybody who is eligible, but did not confirm their eligibility by the deadline can have their payment restored by re-applying online at www.mywelfare.ie.
The Minister added: ‘Our resources are not unlimited and we need to ensure that this money goes to the people and families who genuinely need it. ‘My Department has made every effort to contact every person receiving the payment in recent weeks in order to confirm their continued eligibility.
‘The vast, vast majority of people responded and will continue to receive their payment as normal.
‘I want to stress if there were extenuating circumstances which prevented any person from responding to confirm their eligibility, all they need to do is reapply online to have their payment restored.’