https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/unemployed_people/jobseekers_benefit_self_employed.en.htmlJobseeker's Benefit (Self-Employed)
Jobseeker’s Benefit (Self-Employed) (JBSE) is a weekly payment from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP) to people who lose their self-employment.
To qualify for Jobseeker’s Benefit (Self-Employed) you need:
At least 156 weeks of Class S contributions or at least 104 weeks of paid Class A or H PRSI since first starting work
52 weeks of Class S contributions paid in the relevant tax year. The relevant tax year is the second-last complete tax year before the year in which your claim is made. So, for claims made in 2019, the relevant tax year is 2017.
To get Jobseeker's Benefit (Self-Employed) you must stop all self-employment activity. However, you can work as an employee for up to 3 days each week and continue to get Jobseeker's Benefit (Self-Employed).
If you don't qualify for Jobseeker's Benefit (Self-Employed) you may qualify for Jobseeker's Allowance.
Jobseeker's Allowance
Jobseeker's Allowance (JA) is a weekly payment from DEASP to jobseeker's. To get Jobseeker’s Allowance you must be habitually resident and pass a means test. If you are self-employed, you may be entitled to Jobseeker's Allowance depending on your earnings from your business.
You do not need to close your business or stop working as self-employed for you to get Jobseeker’s Allowance and you don't have to be unemployed for at least 4 out of 7 days, as for Jobseeker's Benefit. You will get Jobseeker’s Allowance if your income is below a certain level.