Recipients of the job seekers allowance are being asked to return to their local post office to claim their payment.
The option of receiving the benefit directly into your bank account will be wound down, in an effort to tackle fraud and increase footfall in post offices.
At the start of the pandemic, the Government waived the need for job seekers recipients to present to post offices. It was done as a public health measure.
Tony Wall, Postmaster at Usher’s Quay said the move was disastrous for some of his customers, while CEO of An Post Debbie Byrne hopes the in-person transaction will help tackle fraud.
There’s been some pushback from immunocompromised people, who don’t want to return to long post office queues.
Minister @HHumphreysFG announces jobseeker payments to return to the Post Office
✅Move designed to support post office network
✅Supporting Post Office Network a key commitment under ‘Our Rural Future’
Read more here 👉https://t.co/MFhtc9w8z2 pic.twitter.com/sGcCzJrR97— Department of Social Protection (@welfare_ie) January 26, 2022
Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys says she’ll work with those concerned: “I believe this is the right approach to take in terms of supporting the post office network and helping to reduce social welfare fraud.
“The requirement to physically visit your local post office in order to collect your jobseeker payment will apply initially to new claims, beginning next month.
“But over the coming months, my Department will work to extend this requirement to other jobseeker claims."
The changes will initially apply to all new jobseekers applicants before extending to others in the coming months.
