COVID-19: Support for Employees Unable to Work due to Illness

Should you be unable to work due to Coronavirus or another illness as confirmed by your GP or HSE, there is a temporary payment available to support you financially through this period, Illness Benefit for COVID-19.

Disclaimer: Occupop is not a governing body or financial institution, this information has been collated from gov.ie, revenue.ie and various financial experts as at date of publication and is subject to change. Any information provided here is intended to inform rather than advise.

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Support for employees and self-employed who are unable to work due to illness.

Should an employee or self-employed individual be self-isolating and confined to their home or a medical facility and unable to work, as instructed by the HSE or your GP, you are entitled to Illness Benefit for COVID-19. 

What is the rate of payment and the term of the Illness Benefit for COVID-19? 

As of 24th March 2020, this is a temporary payment with a flat rate of €350 per week, increased from the original amount of €305. 

This payment is applicable for a maximum period of 2 weeks should you be self-isolating and 10 weeks for those who have tested positive for Coronavirus. If you have received a medical certificate from a medical practitioner, you are eligible to be paid for the time frame set out on the certificate. 

Note, as of 24th March 2020, you do not have to wait 6 days before you can apply for Illness Benefit. This means Illness Benefit can cover the first week of a COVID-19 diagnosis (or medically-required self-isolation) and any subsequent weeks.

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How do you apply for Illness Benefit for COVID-19?

Applying for this payment involves a number of steps, diagnosis/advice by a GP or HSE and completion of a Illness Benefit Form (IB1). It is important to remember that you should not visit your Intreo Centre at this time. 

Step 1 - Diagnosis or advice by a GP or HSE on self-isolation and Coronavirus

• If you are advised to self-isolate or diagnosed with Coronavirus by a GP, a medical certificate will be completed by your doctor and sent directly to the department of employment affairs and social protection. For completion, you will need to include your PPSN and date of birth. 
• Should you have returned from travelling abroad and are not being paid by your employer due to HSE self-isolation advice, you will be required to contact your GP to arrange a medical certificate to be completed on your behalf. This is at the discretion of your GP if you are not actively displaying COVID-19 symptoms. 
• If you have been diagnosed with Coronavirus or are advised by the HSE to self-isolation due to possible contact tracing, you will receive a letter or text. This should be attached to IB1. 

Step 2 - Obtain and complete Illness Benefit Form (IB1) 

Unfortunately this form is currently not available only and must be collected in person. An online application process is due to be completed by the end of March. To receive a copy of this form you can do one of the following:

• Call DEASP on 1890 800 024 or 01 2481398 during business working hours and request an application form by post or
• Organise someone to pick up a form at your doctor’s surgery or at your local Intreo Centre
• Email welfare.ie and request that a form be posted to you. Email forms@welfare.ie with your name and address and form required

Step 3 - Process and payment of your application

• Once your IB1 form has been completed, you should send this to Social Welfare Services Office: FREE POST, Social Welfare Services, P.O Box 1650, Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Dublin 1
• Ensuring you complete section 5 of this form, payments will be received into your bank account once processed  

Ensure you continue to consult your doctor where necessary on length of self-isolation, your diagnosis and medical certifications. All information relating to Illness Benefit during COVID-19 can be here on gov.ie.

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