Case study 2: How income from work affects your Jobseeker's Allowance

This case study shows the effect of work on Jobseeker's Allowance (2025 rates)

Case study

Frank is living with his partner Joanne and their 2 children. He recently lost his job and has applied for Jobseeker's Allowance (JA). He has some temporary work driving a minibus for a local disability service every Saturday and Sunday. His assessable average weekly earnings are €140.

Joanne is working part-time for 3 days a week and earns €85 per week. She is also getting Child Benefit for the 2 children aged under 12.

They recently sold their old family home and bought a newer house. They made a profit of €15,000 on the sale of their house and have additional savings of €5,000.

Step 1 – calculate Frank and Joanne’s means

Frank's assessable income from employment €60 (See Note 1 below)

Joanne's assessable income from employment €15 (See Note 2 below)

Means assessed from savings 0 (See Note 3 below)

Total assessable means €75.

Step 2 – calculate Frank’s maximum rate of Jobseeker’s Allowance

This includes the maximum personal rate and any increase for a qualified adult.

Jobseeker's Allowance rate €244

Add increase for a qualified adult €162

Add increase for 2 child dependents (Child Support Payments) under 12 €100

Maximum rate of Jobseeker’s Allowance €506

Step 3 – maximum rate of Jobseeker’s Allowance less assessable means

In this case:

Maximum rate of Jobseeker's Allowance €506

Less assessable means €75 (€60 + €15)

Total €431 (JA maximum rate less assessable means)

Total Jobseeker's Allowance rate payable to Frank €431.

Note 1

Firstly, assess Frank's income from work using the following formula:

€20 per day from casual work (up to a maximum of €60) will be deducted from his average assessable weekly earnings (€140) and then 60% of the balance will be assessed as his weekly means.

The following allowances are always deducted from your gross earnings to get your assessable earnings:

• PRSI contributions
• Union dues
• Superannuation
• PRSA (Personal Retirement Savings Account
• AVCs (Additional Voluntary Contributions)

Calculating earnings from work

Franks is entitled to JA only for periods of unemployment. The minimum period a person must be unemployed to get JA is 4 days in a period of 7 consecutive days.

Frank has 5 consecutive days of unemployment. He is employed for 2 days out of 7 (Sunday is counted as a day of work).

Frank's average weekly earnings are €140.

Less disregard for days worked €140 - €0 (€20 x 2 days) = €100

60% of his assessable daily earnings of €100 = €60

Frank's weekly means from employment is €60.

Note 2

Joanne's average weekly earnings are €85.

Less disregard for days worked €85 - €60 (€20 x 3 days) = €25

60% of Joanne’s assessable daily earnings of €25 = €15

Child Benefit is not taken into account in the assessment of means.

Joanne's weekly means from employment is €15.

You can read more about how Jobseeker's Allowance is affected by income from employment. You can also read our worksheet on Jobseeker's Allowance and income from work.

Note 3

Joanne and Frank have combined savings of €20,000. This is below the €20,000 threshold and is not taken into account as means.