Covid-19 unemployment payment form

This morning.

Further to Michael Taft’s column on the political economy of the coronavirus…

Broadsheet commenter Wearnicehats (see comments) has two questions about the Covid Pandemic Unemployment Payment.

The payment of €203 per week for six weeks, via employers who will later be refunded by the State, was announced earlier this week for anyone who has lost their job or who has had their hours reduced due to the coronavirus.

Wearnicehats writez:

I’m still a bit in the dark about this supposed scheme to get employers to pay the emergency payments. I’ve looked on the website etc and it says that the staff member needs to fill out this form and return it by post and then apply for jobseekers within 6 weeks

Now the form that they have to fill out states that they need to confirm that the employer is not paying them, give all their bank details etc.

My question is two-fold, should the employer wish to pay:

1. How do the DEASP know to pay the money to the employer, not the applicant.

2. What happens if the employer pays the money from week 1 but the applicant doesn’t apply for jobseekers within the 6 weeks?

I’ve spoken to a few employers who would like to do their bit but don’t actually understand how this works so aren’t mad keen on doing so given that they need to hang on to cash at the minute, especially as most SMEs will be at the mercy of their landlords as to whether or not they will have to maintain rent payments.

Anyone?

Previously: €203 A Week For Up To Six Weeks

Earlier: Michael Taft: The Political Economy Of The Coronavirus