Cert question, once Illness Benefit expires?

Stern

Hello,

my partner has been on Illness Benefit for 52 weeks and received a letter stating that she won't be getting anymore (as not enough PRSI contributions), but that she should still send a medical cert at least once a month so that she keeps getting her PRSI contributions.

We gave a copy of the letter to our regular GP, but the secretary said that the certs we will need to send won't be the normal inter-certs anymore, but just regular doctors' notes.

Problem for us is that the GP charges for doctors' notes, not much but every little matters, and the letter from Social Welfare also didn't mention this. Can anyone confirm or deny that these certs to confirm she's still ill are the normal Illness Benefit certs, or doctors notes?

Thanks!

Cushie Butterfield

No, this isn't correct.

The GP hasn't issued her with a final cert declaring her fit for work, so should continue to sign the same MC2 cert confirming her being unfit for work. The only difference will be that instead of being dated from week to week that it will be dated every four weeks. Don't let the GP's secretary tell you any different as she's wrong.

Your partner needs to make sure that the dates on the certs are every four weeks (& not every month).

Stern

Will get back to the GP, they were supposed to contact me as they weren't sure themselves, and were going to ask their GP manager. Haven't heard since.

Thanks a lot!