The Government has announced some changes to the rules for Illness Benefit and Supplementary Welfare Allowance to help prevent the transmission of coronavirus.
Emergency legislation is being prepared to bring about these changes.
The main changes are:
- You will not have to wait the current 6 days before you can apply for Illness Benefit. This means Illness Benefit will cover the first week of a COVID-19 diagnosis (or medically-required self-isolation) and any subsequent weeks.
- The personal rate of Illness Benefit will increase from €203 to €350 per week for up to 2 weeks if you are medically required to self-isolate, or for up to 10 weeks if you have a COVID-19 diagnosis.
- The normal social insurance requirements for Illness Benefit will be waived, if you are medically required to self-isolate or you are diagnosed with COVID-19.
- You will be able to get Supplementary Welfare Allowance without having to pass a means test if you don’t qualify for Illness Benefit and you are medically required to self-isolate or are diagnosed with COVID-19.
- More details on Ilness Benefit Here
The Government has also stated that self-employed people will be able to get either Illness Benefit or Supplementary Welfare Allowance.
Public Servants – Any special leave with pay granted for the purpose of self-isolation or any diagnosis of COVID-19 will not be counted as part of public service / civil service employees sick leave record
You can get information about applying for social welfare payments through MyWelfare and you can call 1890 800 024 or (01) 248 1398.
If you are already getting a social welfare payment or you are on an employment programme such as Community Employment (CE) , Tús or a funded training and education programme, you do not need to apply for Illness Benefit. Your existing payment will continue to be paid if you are affected by coronavirus.
Details of Wage Subsidy Here