You still have to qualify for Jobseeker's Allowance itself, including the means test, but you're assessed as self-employed, so professional expenses count.
Quick facts
- Benefit
- No activation for the first year
- Age
- Over 18 and under 66
- Income test
- 50%+ from art last year
- Needs
- Professional body certificate, self-employed registration
- Art forms
- Visual arts, theatre, literature, music, dance, opera, film, circus
What the scheme does
"Under the Scheme, professional artists getting Jobseeker's Allowance can be exempt from labour market activation for the first year that they are out of work." "Art forms covered under the Scheme include visual arts, theatre, literature, music, dance, opera, film and circus."
Who qualifies
"To qualify for the Scheme, you must be aged over 18 and under 66." "You must also: Be unemployed Be capable of work Be available for full-time work and 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".
"At least 50% of your income in the previous year should be derived from your work as a professional artist ." Sales, royalties, bursaries, fees and prizes all count.
"When you are being assessed for the Scheme, you will be means tested as a self-employed person and certain expenses related to your profession are allowable." Apply with your Jobseeker's Allowance claim, with Revenue documents showing your art income.
Common questions
Can artists get Jobseeker's Allowance in Ireland?
Yes. Professional artists can be exempt from labour market activation for their first year on Jobseeker's Allowance.
What income test applies to artists on Jobseeker's Allowance?
At least 50% of your income in the previous year must have come from your work as a professional artist.
How are artists means-tested for Jobseeker's Allowance?
As self-employed people, with certain professional expenses allowed.