Any person who becomes unemployed should attend their local social welfare office immediately. It is not necessary to have either a P45 or a P60 to make a jobseeker's claim. However, the person should bring some documentation from the employer confirming the termination of employment. In some cases the P45 and/or P60 may be necessary for the purpose of obtaining details of PRSI contributions paid but the local office staff will advise the customer if that is the case. No customer who has paid PRSI contributions while working will be disadvantaged by any delay by the employer in providing either a P45 or P60.
If it is the case that an employer has failed to collect or make a return of PRSI contributions to Revenue, then the matter will be investigated by a Social Welfare Inspector to establish entitlement. In such cases it may be possible for the person to receive jobseeker's allowance — a means-tested payment — until the entitlement to jobseeker's benefit has been established.