Illness Benefit is a short term scheme intended for persons who are unable to work due to illness or injury. It is paid while the incapacitated person remains unable to work and continues to meet the conditions set out in the scheme. There is, however, a maximum payment period of two years after which payment will cease.
The person concerned applied to my Department for Illness Benefit from 20 March 2018 and was paid from 27 March 2018 to 3 April 2018 when a final medical certificate was received. She made a further claim for Illness Benefit from 4 May 2018 and this claim is in payment from 11 May 2018 at a weekly rate of €198.00.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.