Transfer from J.A to Illness benefit

cath_1

Hi
I am on sick certs for the last 5 weeks after been on long term job seekers allowance. I had to apply through my Community Welfare officer as I do not have enough PRSI contributions. I haven't received any money in the 5 weeks I have been sick :mad:, the CWO keeps sending me around in circles with forms and asking me how long I'm going to be sick for, I may well be on certs for some time. Does anyone know the procedure when transferring from long term JA to illness benefit, or how long it should take to get payment fixed up.

Regards
Cath

Lugh Ildanach

If you don't have sufficient PRSI contributions you won't be able to switch to Illness Benefit. You'll be paid Supplementary Welfare Allowance instead. It shouldn't take that long, as soon as the Community Welfare Officer is satisfied that you are not capable of working due to illness and meet all the other criteria (habitual residence, means test). It should be backdated to the date that you applied for it.

eastbono

Even though you do not qualify for illness benefit you need to keep sending in your certs to illness benefit.

cath_1

That's great thanks guys,

Does anyone know if there is a time limit for staying on Supplementary Welfare and can you apply for disability allowance after a certain period of time.

eastbono

cath_1 wrote: »

That's great thanks guys,

Does anyone know if there is a time limit for staying on Supplementary Welfare and can you apply for disability allowance after a certain period of time.

You can apply for da now. Its a means tested payment. See below.
http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Publications/SW29/Pages/1WhatisDisabilityAllowance.aspx

cath_1

Thanks Eastbono, very helpful.