Social Welfare Minister Heather Humphries explained that the employee income reference has been extended to September 2020.

This means that people who started working only after February 2020 but were fired due to increased restrictions will be charged a payment rate based on their income from January to September 2020.

37,430 people will see an increase in their payment rates.

Minister Humphries said there was some good news as the rate for new people to accept payments was reduced.

She said: “As the number of PUP recipients increases again this week, it is heartening to see the rate of increase decrease.

The total number is much smaller than the first period of the Level 5 restrictions in March and April.

This reflects the fact that trade has been able to continue in the manufacturing and construction sectors.

“However, the number of people accepting PUP is very high, which explains why it is important to keep PUP open to new entrants.

“As Minister of Social Welfare, I will ensure that our welfare support is available to those most in need at this difficult time.

“I would like to remind you that self-employed people can earn up to $ 480 per month and continue to claim PUP.”

She added: “The rules I recently announced extend the reference period used to assess an individual’s previous income until the end of September.

An individual’s previous weekly income will now be assessed based on January 2019 to February and January to September 2020. If people want to be as fair as possible, the PUP will set the payment rate by referring to these three highest. Amounts.

“As a result of these changes and other up-to-date customer revenue data, more than 37,400 PUP recipients will receive an increase in their weekly payments starting this week.”