Course and Illness Benefit?

meg3178

Can you do a course whilst on Illness benefit to help you gain different employment and upskill?
I was on Occ Injury Benefit and this has now switched to Illness benefit, however I am being told by medical professionals that I may not be able to return to my current job. Am I able to avail of courses (I cannot afford to pay for them) or other benefits? I have never been out of work, so haven't a clue. Thanks in advance.

Squatter

Work and Illness Benefit

You cannot work while you are getting Illness Benefit (you can do voluntary work in some cases). If you have a current Illness Benefit claim and have been getting Illness Benefit for at least 6 months, you can apply for Partial Capacity Benefit (PCB). The PCB scheme allows you to return to work (if you have a reduced capacity to work) and continue to receive a social welfare payment. A Medical Assessor (who is a doctor employed by the DEASP) will assess the restriction on your capacity for work, and the personal rate of PCB paid is based on this assessment. You cannot take up work until you have written approval to do so from the Department.

You cannot undertake a training or educational course or do voluntary work without prior, written approval from the DEASP. You must apply to the Illness Benefit section for this approval. Participants on SOLAS training courses can retain Illness Benefit but they cannot get a training allowance or training bonus at the same time.

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