Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 October 2022
424. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection if an alternative tax year can be used to calculate the illness benefit payment rate for a person (details supplied) given that their employment was restricted in 2020 according to Government guidelines during the Covid pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48074/22]
View answerIllness Benefit is a social insurance scheme provided by my Department to those who cannot work due to illness and who have the required number of Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contributions.
The rate of Illness Benefit payable to a person is based on their average weekly earnings while in employment in the relevant tax year. For claims made in 2022, the relevant tax year is 2020.
A person who was out of work during the Covid-19 pandemic and in receipt of Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) or a Jobseekers payment with an underlying entitlement to PUP, has been attributed PRSI credited contributions at the appropriate class for their employment. Please note that these attributed contributions are not included in the calculations of a person's average weekly earnings, so as to not adversely affect the calculation of their weekly earnings.
The person concerned had earnings of €4,138.80 in 2020, and paid 25 PRSI Class A contributions in that year. Their average weekly earnings were calculated as €165.55 per week. This means they qualified at a graduated rate of Illness Benefit payment of €134.20 per week. There are no plans to change the qualifying criteria for Illness Benefit at this time.
If the person concerned is experiencing difficulties in meeting their basic financial commitments they may contact the Community Welfare Service at their local Intreo Centre to see if they qualify for assistance under the terms of the means tested Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme.
I trust this clarifies the position for the deputy.
