Claiming sick days via Social Welfare, how does it work?

ProudDUB

Hi all

Am working in Ireland again. I was away in the US for nearly 20 years. The job I am in now, does not offer sick days or sick pay. The company says you have to contact the Dept of Social Protection "and claim it that way." That is what lady who hired me said. She admitted she does not know how it works.

So can anyone give me a break down on what that means exactly?

I've tried ringing the Dept of SP, but the line is always busy.

Is this something you need "stamps" for. Before I moved to the US, I worked for approx 4 years in Ireland. I've been back working in here since last September. So I have an approx 5 yr working history in Ireland, if that matters. To claim a day off sick, what do you do exactly...do you go to the doctor, get a cert and bring it into your local SW office, or what? Is a doctors visit required?

Thanks.

pilly

No, you only get it first off if you're out sick for more than 6 days and then you have to have enough contributions paid in the previous tax year which you wouldn't have.

You won't be able to claim illness benefit until next year.

ibarelycare

You won't have enough PRSI contributions to qualify but for future reference, yes you will need to go to your doctor to get a medical cert. You have to apply within 7 days of becoming ill, and you only get paid from the 7th day onwards (the first 6 days are called "waiting days", and Sundays are not included). Loads of info here.

ProudDUB

Ok, thanks for that. In my current job, I get paid weekly. Does that count as making 4 contributions per month?

How do they calculate the 39 contribtions?

I was in one job from October to May - paid monthly.
I started a new new job in May - paid weekly.

If that makes a difference.

ibarelycare

ProudDUB wrote: »

Ok, thanks for that. In my current job, I get paid weekly. Does that count as making 4 contributions per month?

How do they calculate the 39 contribtions?

I was in one job from October to May - paid monthly.
I started a new new job in May - paid weekly.

If that makes a difference.

Every week you are paid for is a contribution, regardless of whether you're paid weekly, monthly or fortnightly.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/disability_and_illness/disability_benefit.html#l1f4da

ProudDUB

Ok, just read the info in the link above.

2017 - Not possible to make any claims. Relevant tax year 2015, did not work at all that year, so had zero contributions, so I can not make any sick pay claims.

2018 - I can make sick pay claims. Relevant tax year is 2016. I only worked from Oct-Dec in 2016, but I can use the contributions made from 2017 towards a claim.

Do I have that right?

Thanks all.

ibarelycare

ProudDUB wrote: »

Ok, just read the info in the link above.

2017 - Not possible to make any claims. Relevant tax year 2015, did not work at all that year, so had zero contributions, so I can not make any sick pay claims.

2018 - I can make sick pay claims. Relevant tax year is 2016. I only worked from Oct-Dec in 2016, but I can use the contributions made from 2017 towards a claim.

Do I have that right?

Thanks all.

It says that if you do not have 13 paid contributions in the relevant tax year, the current tax year can be used. So I believe if you have 13 paid contributions in 2017 you may be able to claim.

ProudDUB

ibarelycare wrote: »

It says that if you do not have 13 paid contributions in the relevant tax year, the current tax year can be used. So I believe if you have 13 paid contributions in 2017 you may be able to claim.

Submit a claim this year (if need be) or next year?

(Sorry to be so thick.)

Hi Stanley

I am not currently sick. (Thank God.) I just wanted to know what the procedure is, should I ever need to know it. I have been back in Ireland since 2011, but have only been in full time employment since October 2016. I did get Job Seekers for 6 months back in 2012 and I did a 6 month FAS course in 2013, that I think Revenue/SW sent me a letter about contributions for. Other than the 4 yrs I worked here in the mid 90's, that is my entire work/Revenue/contributions history in Ireland.

Btw, if you do need to keep on going back to the doctor to get a cert re cerified, that is usually 50 quid a visit, right?


Thankfully, I'm generally fit as a fiddle. I have only been to the doctor once, since I've been back (for a sprained ankle) so I'm a bit clueless there. The new job that I am in, involves a good bit of moving furniture around. My back is often at me in the mornings, so I'm just being proactive in case the day ever comes that I need to take some time off. I'm going to the gym, doing Pilates etc to get fitter, but as ya gets older, it's harder. :rolleyes:

Cheers for your detailed replay.

pilly

ProudDUB wrote: »

Submit a claim this year (if need be) or next year?

(Sorry to be so thick.)

Hi Stanley

I am not currently sick. (Thank God.) I just wanted to know what the procedure is, should I ever need to know it. I have been back in Ireland since 2011, but have only been in full time employment since October 2016. I did get Job Seekers for 6 months back in 2012 and I did a 6 month FAS course in 2013, that I think Revenue/SW sent me a letter about contributions for. Other than the 4 yrs I worked here in the mid 90's, that is my entire work/Revenue/contributions history in Ireland.

Btw, if you do need to keep on going back to the doctor to get a cert re cerified, that is usually 50 quid a visit, right?


Thankfully, I'm generally fit as a fiddle. I have only been to the doctor once, since I've been back (for a sprained ankle) so I'm a bit clueless there. The new job that I am in, involves a good bit of moving furniture around. My back is often at me in the mornings, so I'm just being proactive in case the day ever comes that I need to take some time off. I'm going to the gym, doing Pilates etc to get fitter, but as ya gets older, it's harder. :rolleyes:

Cheers for your detailed replay.

No, you won't be able to claim until next year.

And no the doctor won't charge 50 quid each time, only the 1st time.

ProudDUB

Thanks for that Pilly.