Social Welfare/Statutory Sick Pay

flemishgael

Hi All,

I have been out sick since 30th December 2013 and my company doesn't pay sick pay so I applied for the statutory sick pay.
I have been out with the same illness in December 2013 and was told back then I'm not entitled to sick pay as for 2013 they look back to the 2011 calendar year and as I lived in the north back then I don't have enough contributions paid in 2011 to entitle me too sick pay in the republic.
As that was only a week and a half I didn't bother about it too much.
The problem is that I have been out sick now for 7 weeks in 2014 and still haven't had any payments.
My job have been pushing me to get back to work as soon as possible, stating constantly that I can't afford to be sick, but though they are right about that there is a good reason why I'm out sick and them putting pressure on me doesn't make me feel any better.
Social Welfare stated they are having some problems regarding my contributions and have not paid anything yet.
I've been told that eventually they will but it's been 7 weeks now and cash is running very low by now while bills and rent are still have to be paid as well.
I'm not to sure as who to turn to and get this fixed.
Any ideas?

Pat Mustard

Sorry to hear about this.

Most law types don't have much of a clue about social welfare issues, so I don't know if you will get too many who can help you on this forum. There is a State Benefits forum. You could try there, or possibly ask the mods to move your thread there.

Also, you could go along to a Citizen's Advice centre. They generally know about state benefits. Maybe also try your local Community Welfare Officer.

As regards your employer, your GP may be able to supply sick certs.

flemishgael

The Mustard wrote: »

Sorry to hear about this.

Most law types don't have much of a clue about social welfare issues, so I don't know if you will get too many who can help you on this forum. There is a State Benefits forum. You could try there, or possibly ask the mods to move your thread there.

Also, you could go along to a Citizen's Advice centre. They generally know about state benefits. Maybe also try your local Community Welfare Officer.

As regards your employer, your GP may be able to supply sick certs.

Thanks. Will definitely try those.
Both my GP and the company doctor have supplied sick certs but they as a rule don't pay sick pay and are not very helpful when it comes to employees being sick. Two of my colleagues have actually been thinking about suicide and have since moved home as they reasoned the job is just not worth all the hassle. Moving back home is not an option for me as I've been in Ireland (including the north) for 13 years and have my girlfriend and studies here.
Suicide is definitely not an option either for me. Just making that clear.
It does make me very depressed but at least I'm better off than others as I still have a nice life and people that love me.

flemishgael

I have sorted out the sick pay with social welfare and am now getting paid while still sick.
188 a week isn't much but it is enough to live on.
The company I work for have since provided me with a payment protection form for me and my GP to fill in.
I've done some research and this seems to be some insurance that will assure I get the same pay as before I got sick after I've been out for 6 months. It would mean a lot to me as it is not easy living on 188 a week.
It would be the company though that provided the insurance so it would only work as long as I'm still employed by them.
Now, here's the catch. The first month I didn't get social welfare as I had not enough hours worked and PRSI paid in 2011 and I'm still waiting on my contributions from the north. The company usually pays half of my wages in advance halfway through the month and the remainder end of the month. They now claim they have paid me in error the first 1,5 months I was sick and would like to take the whole amount of me as they claim I'm not entitled to any payments while sick. The question is thus: can they do this and if they can't or can would that affect the payment protection insurance? I have a similar insurance myself via Irish Life but claiming on that insurance is a lot harder. If not paying back the money the company wants from me is an option I'd like to take that option as I don't have that amount of money currently. If it would affect the payment protection insurance then so be it as I would use my own insurance in that case.

Carawaystick

I would immediately tell the company that as you are too sick to work, you are too sick to deal with any payment issues too, and you will deal with it when you are better.

flemishgael

Carawaystick wrote: »

I would immediately tell the company that as you are too sick to work, you are too sick to deal with any payment issues too, and you will deal with it when you are better.

I've done that more or less. I am indeed too sick to deal with it. But...they keep harassing me with calls, emails, text messages and voicemails.

flemishgael

Had 14 missed calls and 13 voicemails and 12 emails just today about it.
They are seriously putting pressure on me so I'm not sure what to do now.

Mycroft H

flemishgael wrote: »

Had 14 missed calls and 13 voicemails and 12 emails just today about it.
They are seriously putting pressure on me so I'm not sure what to do now.

Did you answer them?

flemishgael

I did not answer the calls as I have my phone on silent most of the time. I'm at home with a nervous breakdown as the stress was getting to me so this is not helping either.

hullaballoo

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=90034636#post90034636

There is no need for you to post two threads arising out of what is essentially the same issue.

Thread closed.