As part of Budget 2025, I announced that the new Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit scheme will be available from 31st March 2025.
I have already passed the legislation as part of the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024 which sets out the legislative framework for the new scheme. As this is a fundamental reform in social policy, this lead-in time is necessary to provide for the ICT changes that are required for the new scheme to come into operation.
In the intervening period, anyone finding themselves unemployed can apply for the existing Jobseeker's Benefit scheme.