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Long term illness - Interested in getting 1 Yr break from work - What are my options?

  • 11-01-2025 03:13PM
    #1
    TestLink
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 855 ✭✭✭


    I am currently working in Civil Service as a permanent staff and is thinking about taking a 1 yr break from work from Sept 2025. I am under treatment (HSE) from 2007 onwards for severe mental health issues. I am a member of FORSA. I dont have any income protection scheme, as my application for FORSA income protection scheme was rejected by New Ireland recently, because of pre-existing medical conditions. I am currently contributing an AVC of around 500 euro each month.​

    Mine and my wife's salary is combinely assesed by revenue for tax purpose. I dont have any other source of income.

    I will be comfortable if I could get a payment each month from whatever source to manage my expenses like medicines etc as I have paid PRSI.

    My Salary, PAYE and PRSI amounts.

    Current Yearly Salary: 58,791.00

    Annual Tax Credit: 1,975.00

    Annual Cut Off: 33,000.00
    Monthly PAYE : 950.00

    Monthly PRSI: 200.00

    What are my options?

    1. Career Break?

    2. Shorter Working Year?

    3. Long term sick leave?

    4. Any other options?

    Please advice. Thanks...



Comments

  • #2
    drakshug
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 223 ✭✭drakshug


    I am currently recovering from a serious accident and next month will be a year since it happened. I was in the private sector. I got 6 months sick pay topped by illness benefit. After 6 months I would have been reduced but they also announced redundancies. Luckily they allowed me to take redundancy. I have a year of illness benefit left and aim to try to get another job in about 8 months once I am fit to work. I am using my redundancy to live off topped up by the illness benefit.

    This was the only way I could see to do such a thing. My mortgage insurance would only give me 500 euros a month while working and I could not take long term paid leave from work. I need to be able to pay the bills and medical expenses etc. You would get max 230 a week to live on from benefits on long term sick up to a max of 2 years.



  • #3
    blackbox
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,100 ✭✭✭blackbox


    If you are currently fit to work, why do you think you won't be by next September?

    If you don't want to work you can probably take a career break from the civil service.

    If the work is getting you down, you could look for a different job.



  • #4
    TestLink
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 855 ✭✭✭TestLink


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123044593#Comment_123044593

    I am dragging myself to work these days. I dont want to quit my current job. I just need a break for treatment abroad and see how it goes and join the work again. But I want to survive this 1 year by receiving some financial help from welfare etc as I paid enough PRSI.



  • #5
    blackbox
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,100 ✭✭✭blackbox


    If you are certified unfit to work you should be eligible for sick pay / social welfare. Civil service is very unlikely to terminate your employment.



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