COVID-19 Cross Border Workers

Information for Cross Border Workers re; COVID-19

A frontier worker or Cross Border worker is defined as any employed or self-employed person who works in one jurisdiction and lives in another to which he or she returns as a rule daily or at least once a week.

COVID 19 emergency supports for Employers and Employees:

It is hoped that employers will use the supports and wage subsidy schemes offered by Government Departments as much as possible to overcome this difficult period.

Employers and Employees in the Republic of Ireland can avail of the Department of Employment Affairs & Social Protection supports  and Revenue listed below - https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/4cf0e2-covid-19-coronavirus-information-for-employers-and-employees-test/?referrer=/deaspcovid19/

https://revenue.ie/en/corporate/communications/covid19/index.aspx

Employers and Employees in N Ireland can avail of the following supports from the Department for Communities and HMRC listed here –

 https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/landing-pages/covid-19-service-updates

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19

For cross border workers who are temporarily laid off (furloughed workers) during this period they should stay on their employer’s payroll and be paid during this time. The employer can then claim the appropriate rate from the Government Department.

If the employee has been made wholly unemployed then ‘normal rules’ apply i.e the claimant must claim benefit from the country where they are resident.

In effect a Cross Border worker from N Ireland who had been working in the Republic of Ireland must make a claim to Universal Credit - www.universal-credit.service.gov.uk

A Cross Border worker from the Republic of Ireland who had been working in N Ireland must make a claim via their local Intreo Centre - applications can be made online at www.mywelfare.ie 

The Department of Employment Affairs & Social Protection in in the Republic of Ireland COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) for workers who have been made unemployed in the Republic due to the crisis is not available to those resident in N Ireland.

It is however available to residents in the Republic who have been made wholly unemployed from employment in N Ireland.

NI Employees self-isolating  (also applies to NI employees working in Ireland)

If you contact NHS 111 (non-emergency line) they will issue an ‘Isolation Note’ in line with UK Government Advice.

Link - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-advice/

This page will be updated as more information becomes available.

Web support and Telephone numbers attached below.

Key Contact Details – Department for Communities

 https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/temporary-lay-offs 

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/employment-and-support-allowance

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/universal-credit 

https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/landing-pages/covid-19-service-updates

Key Contact Details – Department of Employment Affairs & Social Protection (Click on the link below)

Information for employees and the self-employed -

Information for employers

Apply for the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Apply for Illness Benefit for COVID-19 absences

Social Welfare COVID-19 Contacts

Latest updates on COVID-19 (Coronavirus) from DEASP