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?

Contacted Citizens Information already but haven't gotten a reply yet.
Both my GP and the company doctor have supplied sick certs but my company 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.

eastbono

If you have a letter from Illness benefit stating that you do not qualify then bring this to your community welfare officer and apply for supplementary welfare allowance.... you will still need to submit sick certs every week to sw.

flemishgael

eastbono wrote: »

If you have a letter from Illness benefit stating that you do not qualify then bring this to your community welfare officer and apply for supplementary welfare allowance.... you will still need to submit sick certs every week to sw.

Thanks. I have a letter from them indeed. Will sort that out on Monday. Thanks!

eastbono

Be sure and ask for it to be backdated. Tell them that you didnt know the situation. Also if you worked in the North and then worked in the south you should ask for your contributions from the north to be transferred as it may give you and automatic entitlement to illness benefit or jobseekers benefit once you have worked in the south... Check that out with your local sw office. They will either get you to fill out a E301 or U001 form.... you will need your NI number and you will need to have your period of employment in the north or uk and employers names.

flemishgael

eastbono wrote: »

Be sure and ask for it to be backdated. Tell them that you didnt know the situation. Also if you worked in the North and then worked in the south you should ask for your contributions from the north to be transferred as it may give you and automatic entitlement to illness benefit or jobseekers benefit once you have worked in the south... Check that out with your local sw office. They will either get you to fill out a E301 or U001 form.... you will need your NI number and you will need to have your period of employment in the north or uk and employers names.

Thanks. Great to see there are options then. Will make the trip to SW office and Citizens Information on Monday and get it sorted.

eastbono

First thing is to visit community welfare officer with letter from illness benefit and get payment sorted. You can then sort out the rest.

fionakelly05

Just a quick question kind of relating to this; I like you have not yet received my benefit yet; I have been out of work since january 2nd 2014; do they now count my PRSI contributions for 2012; I have my full contributions for this year but only have 24 for 2011 as i was in full time third level education for the first 5 months of 2011?

mrsbyrne

fionakelly05 wrote: »

Just a quick question kind of relating to this; I like you have not yet received my benefit yet; I have been out of work since january 2nd 2014; do they now count my PRSI contributions for 2012; I have my full contributions for this year but only have 24 for 2011 as i was in full time third level education for the first 5 months of 2011?

Would you have 104 weeks prsi paid since you started work?