Farmers receive Unemployment Benefit clarity
THE Irish Farmers’ Association has welcomed clarification from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection that farmers who suffer loss of income due to ongoing restrictions can qualify for the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment.
As a result of this, full-time farmers who were unable to buy or sell animals, crops, or other produce due to the COVID-19 restrictions can qualify for the payment of €350 a week.
Part-time farmers who have lost off-farm employment can also qualify for the payment.
There are restrictions on qualification, however.
Farmers who receive a Farm Assist payment are not eligible to receive the unemployment payment, although they can request a reassessment of their Farm Assist.
Farmers who receive the Rural Social Scheme are also not entitled to the unemployment payment, although their existing payment will still stand.
A farmer and/or spouse who receives a carers allowance and benefit – including those working fewer than 18 hours a week who have ‘ceased trading’ or lost employment – can claim the payment, while the same applies to farmers receiving a disability allowance. Their payment will be adjusted to take their disability payment into account.
“We have been receiving numerous calls from full and part-time farmers who were getting different messages regarding eligibility, even from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. It is important to have clarity.” said IFA Farm Family and Social
Affairs Chairperson Caroline Farrell.
“I would encourage these farmers [those unable to sell stock] to apply for the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment.”
“The reassessment for Farm Assist must be rapid and must reflect the current income position, not the normal historical assessment over the past 12 months.
“This concession has applied in the past, where farmers suffer a severe shock in income such as fodder and other crisis situations,” she added.
Full details on the unemployment payment are available from the IFA online at www. ifa.ie. This includes a link to the application form, as well as advice on applying.