Illness Benefit for COVID-19 absences
An enhanced Illness Benefit is available for workers in Ireland who are unable to attend work due to Covid 19. The benefit is also available to workers, living in Northern Ireland and working in Ireland. Applications can be made online or by post.
You can apply for Enhanced Illness Benefit, if you are suspected of having COVID-19 and are told by a doctor or directed by the health services to self-isolate or have been diagnosed with COVID-19.
To qualify you must be aged between 18 and 66, have medical certification from a doctor or the health services to support your application, be employed or self-employed and have worked in the 4 weeks before the date of your medical certification and have a current contract of employment if you are an employee.
If you need to self-isolate because you may have COVID-19, Enhanced Illness Benefit is paid for a maximum of 2 weeks. If you are diagnosed with COVID-19, it is paid for a maximum of 10 weeks. If your medical certificate is for fewer than 10 weeks, you will be paid for the duration of your medical certificate.
The personal rate of Enhanced Illness Benefit can be found on the DEASP website
Applications can be made online or by post.
Cross-border issues
Live North, Work South: You won’t get the payment without medical certification. You must be certified by your own doctor or have a notification from the NHS telling you that you have been identified as having contact with someone who has COVID-19.
Useful Links:
This information provided by:
North Connacht & Ulster CIS
Contact: Aiden Garland, Monaghan CIC
Email: monaghan@citinfo.ie
