Illness Benefit

sillysocks

I've been off work the last 2 weeks sick (signed off on doctors certs), and will be off again next week.

On Thursday after talking to my boss to update her she texted me to say was I aware that once I was off work for more than 4 days I needed to claim social welfare and my work pay would be less the amount due on social welfare. I hadn't realised that (have never been off for this long) but have no problem claiming it. I haven't gotten the social welfare certs from the doctor but I'm sure if I contact the receptionist on Monday there'll be no prob getting them as she did offer them to me the first day but I said I didn't think I needed them.

Just wondering if there'll be any issues because I haven't claimed within 7 days of being off work? I saw that as a condition on an info sheet about illness benefit. As I say I've been off for 2 weeks and earliest I could get to social welfare office will be Monday so that'd be 14 days rather than 7.....

Anyone any thoughts?
Also does anyone know how long the payment normally takes to come through?

cee_jay

There's a section on the form where you can fill in why you are late claiming. It should still be accepted and backdated.
You don't even have to go into the office with the form - you can post it in.
Can take 2-5 weeks to come throough (I know someone who waited 5, and another person who heard in 2 weeks).

Sleipnir

Usually, the company pays you as normal and you sign over the illness benefit to them.

dudara

I had to take a month off last year due to surgery.

It wasn't until week 4 that I realised that my employer would be docking my pay and that I would be expected to claim the balance through illness benefit.

I got the certs signed by my doctor, submitted them, and received the benefit no problem.

sillysocks

Thanks all, thats good to know - with Christmas coming dont want to be losing out on 3 weeks pay.

No work now do it that my pay will be less social welfare and I just keep the social welfare cheques myself.
Will try drop in on Monday and get it sorted out.

dustyrip

Hi,

My mother broke her neck two years ago and is still off work. She has to get her Illness Benefit cert off the doctor every week, it comes to the same as Jobseekers allowance, i.e. €204.30. She will be going back to work in February and the €204.30 per week that she has received will be deducted from the claim to the Injuries board she has made whenever she receives it..

The Injuries board seem like they are run very well so I wouldn't be worried about this timeframe...always plead Ignorant anyway, it usually works!!

Is there anywhere on this board where I could organise her to meet up with other people who have broken their neck etc?? I know if it happened to me I would like to see how other people have coped.