Michael Healy-Rae
Question:126. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will advise on an illness benefit-matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26661/22]
View answerWednesday, 25 May 2022
Questions (126)
Written answers
Illness Benefit is the main income support provided by this department for those who cannot work due to illness of any kind. The provisional outturn for Illness Benefit was €570.9 million in 2021.
Illness Benefit is a social insurance payment and in order to qualify, the person must have the required number of Pay Related Social Insurance contributions. They must also provide a Certificate of Incapacity for Work.
The relevant tax year plays a part in determining eligibility for Illness Benefit and it also constitutes the basis of calculating the person’s rate of Illness Benefit.
The relevant tax year is the second last complete tax year before the year in which the claim for Illness Benefit begins. For example, the relevant tax year for an Illness Benefit claim that begins in 2022 is 2020.
There are four rates of Illness Benefit payable, based on the average weekly earnings of the person in the relevant tax year. A person can only get the full rate of Illness Benefit if they satisfy all eligibility requirements and their gross weekly earnings was determined as being €300 or more.
Maternity Benefit is a social insurance payment payable to women who have the required number of social insurance contributions. Contributions paid in Classes A, E and H count towards Maternity Benefit. The benefit is payable for 26 weeks; however, it can be extended with 16 weeks of additional maternity leave. While the person does not get Maternity Benefit for this period, they receive credited social insurance contributions for each week of unpaid leave.
If a woman who was on Maternity Benefit in 2020 falls ill in 2022, her rate of Illness Benefit will be based on her average weekly earnings in 2020, the relevant tax year. However, her average weekly earnings are only divided by paid contributions, and the time spent on the benefit should not impact her Illness Benefit rate.
If her average weekly earnings from employment were €300 or more, she will receive the maximum rate of Illness Benefit. If an Illness Benefit claim runs into a new calendar year, the claim will be checked to see if the claimant is eligible for a higher payment based on the updated relevant tax year.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.