4,700 still receiving PUP in Westmeath

There are still 4,700 Westmeath people receiving the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), according to the Department of Social Protection.

The latest figures from the department reveal that there are 200 less people receiving the PUP in Westmeath this week than seven days previously.

Another 1,000 people in Westmeath are receiving the Enhanced Illness Benefit, which is for those either diagnosed with Covid or required to self isolate and cannot be claimed by those on the pandemic unemployment payment.

Nationally, payments valued at €84.4m will issue to 262,500 people tomorrow for the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP). This represents a decrease of 12,100 on the 274,600 people paid last week and a 56% drop on the 598,000 paid at its peak.

Reminder

The Department of Social Protection is issuing a further reminder to people who have failed to confirm their eligibility that they must do so by Friday, August 14, or their payment will be suspended.

Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, welcomed the continuing reduction in numbers claiming the PUP.

“Over the past number of weeks, thanks to the efforts of everybody in our community, we have succeeded in reopening significant parts of our society. This is reflected in the continued reduction in the number of people claiming the PUP. However, we cannot take this progress for granted and we have to safeguard the progress made by continuing to follow the advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET).

She's emphasising that workers affected by restrictions in Kildare, Laois and Offaly are entitled to access the Covid-19 Illness Benefit payment and the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment. This includes people living in Direct Provision Centres and non-nationals whose employment has been temporarily suspended due to a forced closure of a business as a result of COVID-19.

The easiest way to access these income supports is to apply online at www.MyWelfare.ie

Wage subsidy scheme

Meanwhile, there are now over 69,500 employers who have registered with the Revenue Commissioners for the Temporary Covid-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS). An estimated 370,000 employees are currently being supported by the scheme having received a subsidy in their most recent pay period.

The above payments are in addition to the 244,600 people who were reported on the Live Register as of the end of July.