Tapering of Benefits - Employed Person (DSS)

Overview

Social Assistance beneficiaries who find employment can opt for the Tapering of Benefits scheme if they earn at least the National Minimum Wage or more and if they have been in receipt of Social Assistance or Unemployment Assistance or Special Unemployment Benefit for at least one (1) year in the last three (3) years.

What you'll get

The awarded Tapering of Benefits rate is a percentage of the last Social Benefit rate awarded excluding bonuses:

  • 75% of the benefit rate for the first year.
  • 55% of the benefit rate for the second year.
  • 35% of the benefit rate for the third year.
  • 25% of the benefit rate is paid to the employer for a period of three (3) years.

Beneficiaries are paid in arrears every four (4) weeks, while employers are paid in arrears every twelve (12) weeks.

If a beneficiary in receipt of Tapering of Benefits becomes unemployed, upon re-employment, the Tapering of benefits resumes from the year that the benefit was stopped.

You may make use of an online Calculator to calculate your potential entitlement of the Tapering of Benefits.

Eligibility

General eligibility criteria:

An applicant who is now engaged in full-time employment and earning not less than the National Minimum Wage and should have been in receipt of a non-contributory benefit for a period of (one) 1 year in the last three (3) years.

How to apply

Fill in and submit the application online.

 

Documentation required

  • Applicant and Employer’s Declaration – Click here to download this document.
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