What Professional Artists on Jobseeker’s Allowance is
Professional Artists on Jobseeker’s Allowance is a scheme to support you if you are a self-employed professional artist and you are getting Jobseeker’s Allowance.
If you qualify, you do not have to take part in the department’s activation programme for one year. This allows you to focus on your artistic work for one year.
How to qualify
To qualify for this scheme, you must:
- be aged over 18 and under 66
- be unemployed
- be capable of work
- be available for full-time work and be genuinely seeking work
- satisfy the means test
- meet the habitual residence condition
- be a member of one of the listed certifying professional organisations and provide a certificate or declaration from a professional body that you are a professional artist
- be registered as self-employed with Revenue
When you are being assessed for this scheme, you will be means tested as a self-employed person.
At least 50% of your income in the previous year must come from your work as a professional artist. Some examples of work that is counted as income as a professional artist can be found here.
Due to the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the 50% income requirement is examined on a case-by-case basis and may include earnings from 2019.
Some expenses related to your profession are allowed.
Rates of payment
The rates of payment are the same as Jobseeker’s Allowance.
Apply
You can apply for this scheme at your local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office.
You will need to provide:
- a certificate or declaration from one of the listed certifying professional organisations with your status as a professional artist
- documents from Revenue showing that at least 50% of your income in the previous year came from your work as a professional artist
- identification such as your public service card, passport or driving licence
- proof of your address such as a utility bill or letter from a government department
- evidence of your income, including bank statements
You can collect your weekly Jobseeker’s Allowance payment from your nearest Post Office. You must bring valid photo ID with you to collect your payment.
Any one of the following is a valid photo ID:
- Public Services Card
- driving licence
- passport
- Irish residence permit
- National Identity Card (for EU/EEA nationals)
If you are already getting Jobseeker’s Allowance and you think you might qualify for this scheme, you can contact your your local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office.
Operational Guidelines
Operational guidelines describe the processes and procedures that staff in the department follow when carrying out their work.