When you are unwell and unable to work, financial support becomes important. Illness benefit Ireland scheme is a key support system. This scheme helps employees to maintain finances while they take the time to recover from illness.
It is a health coverage scheme by the government under the Department of Social Protection (DSP). This scheme is for the employees who are medically unfit to work. In Ireland, it is provided as a weekly payment if you cannot work due to sickness.
At Eirdoc, an expert medical team provides online consultation to help you with your applications. Our doctors assess your medical condition virtually to issue the medical certificates mandatory to avail these benefits. Eirdoc ensures that your applications are not delayed.
What Is Illness Benefit?
Illness benefit Ireland is a government scheme in Ireland that provides financial support to help replace lost income if you cannot work in the short term because of your illness. It is important to note that it is a government scheme and it is not linked to the employer’s policy on pay for sick leave. It is granted if your illness is certified by a doctor.
It is a temporary payment for employees who are insured under Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) and do not work due to illness. Your payments are managed by the DSP.
One of the most significant developments recently is obtaining a Certificate of Incapacity for Work electronically. You can avail yourself of the services of online doctors to submit your Certificate of Incapacity for Work to the DSP.
At Eirdoc, you can get dedicated help to avoid all the hurdles. Our medical experts assess your health online and send an e-certificate directly to the Department of Social Protection. Workers across Ireland can access the services offered by Eirdoc more conveniently.
Who Qualifies for Illness Benefit Ireland
You may qualify for an illness benefit Ireland if you meet certain conditions associated with your age, medical certification, and PRSI contributions. To become eligible for illness benefit in Ireland, you:
- Must be under 66
- Must have your certificate ready from a GP through a physical visit or an e-certificate through your online assessment and consultation.
- Must have sufficient records of PRSI (Pay Related Social Insurance) paid.
In Ireland, you must meet two social insurance conditions to qualify for an illness benefit.
- To qualify, you must have completed 104 weeks of PRSI contribution paid.
- You must have 39 weeks of PRSI contribution paid or credited in the relevant tax year. For a 2025 claim, the relevant tax year is 2023.
In case you do not meet these conditions, you can always find other options for financial support, such as disability allowance or Jobseeker’s Benefit.
At Eirdoc, you may book an online consultation to discuss your suitability and qualifications. If you qualify, our online doctors will assess your illness to confirm that you are medically unfit for work and issue an e-certificate.
How Much Is Illness Benefit?
The first question that comes to your mind after hearing the word ” illness benefit” is ” how much is illness benefit?”. The answer to this question depends on your average weekly earnings in the relevant tax year. In Ireland, weekly illness benefit rates vary year to year. If your claim begins in 2025, the relevant tax year is 2023. The latest weekly rate is as follows:
- If your average weekly earnings are €300 or more, your personal rate is €244.00.
- If it is between €220 – €299.99, you get €191.10
- €150 – €219.99, you are paid €157.30.
- If it is less than €150, your personal rate is €109.50
If you have qualified dependents, you may get additional payments for children, spouse, or partner. This makes the scheme more vital for the families in Ireland. You can have additional payments for adult dependents:
- If your average weekly earning is €300 or more, the additional payment is €162.00.
- If it is between €220 – €299.99, the additional payment is €104.90.
- For €150 – €219.99, the additional payment is €104.90.
- If it is below €150, you get €104.90.
This benefit is paid weekly into your bank accounts or through your local post office. It is a taxable income, which depends on your earnings and the liability may be low or none at all.
At Eirdoc, expert doctors in this matter facilitate your claim. They ensure that the claim is not delayed.
(Note: These rates are for 2025 and are subject to change in future years. Always check the latest rates on the official Department of Social Protection website.)
Duration of Payments
The duration of payments depends on your PRSI records. It tells you the duration for which you can claim the benefit. You can get an idea of the duration of payment using the following:
- If you have 260 or more PRSI contributions paid, you can get Illness Benefit for a maximum of 2 years (104 weeks).
- If you have between 104 and 259 PRSI contributions paid, you can get Illness Benefit for a maximum of 1 year (52 weeks).
This payment approach is efficient in granting extended protection to the long-term workers. However, if your illness continues beyond the allowed payment duration, you must switch to other illness support programs, such as Disability Allowance.
Eirdoc medical consultation is necessary for you to regularly provide medical review to the concerned departments. You can get this facility online with our doctors, who provide you with an e-certificate to confirm your condition.
How to Apply for Illness Benefit Online
Apply for this scheme in Ireland through the online application procedure. You need to:
- Book an online consultation to allow your GP to understand your medical condition and determine if you are medically unfit for work. Eirdoc’s GP can guide you through all the necessary steps in this process.
- Receive your e-certificate after the medical assessment. Eirdoc’s online medical team will issue an electronic medical certificate, which is sent directly to the DSP to assist your application.
- Complete the application by filling out the relevant forms required to apply for this scheme. This includes an IB1 form to submit your personal details, PRSI information, and bank account details for payment.
- Submit your claim along with the completed application form. Your application will be approved after DSP receives your medical certification.
Eirdoc makes it convenient for you to submit your claims by offering online consultation for your medical review, reducing wait times, avoiding travel, and minimising the paperwork.
The Role of Eirdoc in Supporting Illness Benefit Claims
The traditional way of submitting your claim is by visiting your GP physically and completing your documentation. This becomes difficult when you are unwell. Eirdoc makes it convenient for you to submit everything electronically, without even visiting your GP.
For application in Ireland, Eirdoc provides services that include:
- Urgent online consultation with registered Irish doctors
- Same-day medical review and assessment to confirm if you are unfit for work
- Issuing electronic certificates is mandatory for submitting your claims
- Repeat reviews and e-certificates for extended illness
- Secure, private, and professional support for patients
Eirdoc removes barriers and obstacles in your way to submit your illness benefit applications. Our medical experts and online consultation are designed to handle everything digitally, making the process convenient and helpful for the patients. We offer modern solutions to ensure that you are medically cared for and financially supported.
Conclusion
Illness benefit in Ireland is an important financial support for workers and employees that protects them during periods of sickness. If you are an employee, you need to understand how much the illness benefit is, how you qualify for the claim, the application process and the importance of a medical certificate for the claim.
Eirdoc’s professional services assist you in initiating your claim application and help you in providing medical certificates electronically and submitting them to the DSP. You can count on us to take care of your medical certificates and their regular renewals to ensure that your benefits are active.
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1. How quickly will I get an illness benefit after applying?
The claims are processed in 2 to 3 weeks after submitting your applications. Make it convenient and faster with Eirdoc's services to get your e-certificate submitted quickly without delays.
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2. Can I continue to work part-time while on illness benefit?
No, it is only payable if you are unfit to work. If you are fit for some work but not your usual job, you may be able to explore other supports like the Partial Capacity Benefit
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3. Is illness benefit taxable?
Yes, the revenue department taxes your claim on the information from the DSP.
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4. Do I need to reapply if my illness lasts longer?
No, your GP will continue providing medical updates on your fitness for work. Eirdoc doctors review your medical conditions online and submit your e-certificate, keeping your benefits active.