A man complained to the Ombudsman when he was refused the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment. The man, who was living in Co. Kilkenny was eligible for the payment and applied online when he was stranded in Poland due to travel restrictions. In his application the man indicated that he was in Poland at the time.

The man, who has a wife and child currently living in Ireland was unable to return, and was told he was ineligible to claim the payment as he was not in the State.

The complaint was resolved the day after the man contacted the Office of the Ombudsman.  The Office had immediately contacted the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, and the man’s local Intreo office in Kilkenny to clarify the situation. The Department told the Ombudsman’s office that if he re-applied online and explained his circumstances, he would be eligible to receive the payment from April 21.