Title: Genuinely seeking work: jobseeker’s rules made easy > What genuinely seeking work means for Jobseeker’s Allowance and Benefit: what counts, keeping a job search record, penalty rates. Plus a free app for the admin. Source: https://pontia.xyz/ie/genuinely-seeking-work/ Checked: 25 September 2026 🇮🇪 Jobseeker’s Allowance and Benefit # Genuinely seeking work, made simple To get a jobseeker’s payment you must show you are genuinely seeking work. We do the admin around it, so your time goes on applications. [Set up my job search free](https://pontia.xyz/ie/start/)[What genuinely seeking work means](#rules) Always free - No card needed - No trial that runs out - No hidden charges - **4 in 7**days you must be unemployed (most people) - **€164**penalty rate a week, down from €254, if you do not engage - **9 weeks**possible disqualification for refusing suitable work ## What genuinely seeking work means - ### Show real steps You must make genuine efforts to find work and give examples when asked. There is no fixed number of hours or applications. - ### What counts Job applications, contacting employers and agencies, suitable training, acting on Intreo advice, and real steps towards self-employment, such as a business plan or a start your own business course. - ### Be available You must be able to accept suitable full-time work at once. After about 3 months you are expected to widen your search. - ### Penalties Missing Intreo meetings or courses can cut JA to a penalty rate of €164 a week. After 21 days on it, or for refusing suitable work, you can be disqualified for up to 9 weeks. [Citizens Information: Rules for getting a jobseeker’s payment](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social-welfare/unemployed-people/rules-for-getting-a-jobseekers-payment/)Checked 25 Sept 2026 ## What the app does for you - ### Search in one tap Opens JobsIreland, the official jobs site, ready for your search. - ### Your weekly target Set the number you agreed with your Intreo adviser. A progress bar shows where you are this week. - ### Your job search record Log each application, speculative approach, interview, agency contact or business step: date, employer, role, link. Copy the whole record in one tap to show your adviser. - ### Time in your week A weekly planner puts your job-search hours, and any business hours, into your phone calendar with reminders. We never apply, log in or send anything for you. You stay in control of your claim. ## Set it up in 3 steps 1. ### Set your target Enter what your Personal Progression Plan or adviser asks for each week. 2. ### Plan your week Pick your job-search times. They go into your calendar with reminders. 3. ### Search, log, copy Search JobsIreland, log what you did, and copy your record for your next Intreo meeting. [Set up my job search free](https://pontia.xyz/ie/start/) ## Got a business idea too? Researching and planning a business can count as genuinely seeking work. After 9 months on Jobseeker’s Allowance, the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance can support you to start it, with written approval before you trade. [See the business route](https://pontia.xyz/ie/) ## Genuinely seeking work: common questions What does genuinely seeking work mean? It means making real efforts to find a job each week and being able to show examples. Applications, contacting employers and agencies, and suitable training all count. How many jobs do I need to apply for? There is no fixed number in the rules. Your Intreo adviser agrees steps with you in your Personal Progression Plan, and they must give you the best chance of work. Do I need to keep a job search record? There is no official form, but you must be able to give examples of your job search. A dated record of applications and contacts is the easiest way to show it. Does working on a business idea count? Yes. Researching self-employment, writing a business plan and doing a start your own business course are listed as genuinely seeking work. What happens if I miss an Intreo meeting? Without a good reason, your Jobseeker’s Allowance can drop to a penalty rate of €164 a week. If you still do not engage after 21 days, you can be disqualified for up to 9 weeks. Can I work part-time and claim? Yes, up to 3 days a week, and you claim for the days you do not work. You must declare the days you work. Cite this page "Genuinely seeking work: jobseeker’s rules made easy", Pontia, https://pontia.xyz/ie/genuinely-seeking-work/ (updated 25 September 2026) ## Related guides and tools - [Start your business and keep your payment](https://pontia.xyz/ie/) - [Back to Work Enterprise Allowance calculator](https://pontia.xyz/ie/back-to-work-enterprise-allowance-calculator/) - [Your idea. Your call. Real backing to start it.](https://pontia.xyz/ie/young-people/) - [Ireland start-up support for jobseekers in figures, 2026](https://pontia.xyz/ie/datasets/ie-startup-support/) - [Jobseeker’s Allowance while you prepare vs Back to Work Enterprise Allowance](https://pontia.xyz/ie/compare/ja-preparing-vs-btwea/) - [Jobseeker’s Allowance while you prepare vs Short-Term Enterprise Allowance](https://pontia.xyz/ie/compare/ja-preparing-vs-stea/) - [Jobseeker’s Allowance while you prepare](https://pontia.xyz/ie/guide/ja-preparing/) - [Back to Work Enterprise Allowance](https://pontia.xyz/ie/guide/btwea/) - [Short-Term Enterprise Allowance](https://pontia.xyz/ie/guide/stea/) ## Genuinely seeking work, made simple [Set up my job search free](https://pontia.xyz/ie/start/) Always free - No card needed - No trial that runs out - No hidden charges --- Pontia is free and independent. It is not a government service and not financial, tax, legal or benefits advice; always check the official source linked on the page. Some tool links are affiliate links: we may earn a fee at no cost to you, and free options come first. Contact: hello@pontia.xyz Cite as: "Genuinely seeking work: jobseeker’s rules made easy", Pontia, https://pontia.xyz/ie/genuinely-seeking-work/ (updated 25 September 2026) Whole site in one file: https://pontia.xyz/llms-full.txt