Both on Illness benefit.

Hi I am looking for some information reguarding my parents. Recently my Mother has become un able to work due to Hip issue and applied for Illness benefit..My Father has been claiming Illness benifit for past 5years. As my Mother only worked part-time with weekly earnings approx 110-130 euro, my Father was getting an increase of 119.47 for her.. Today the Social welfare sent my Mother out a letter saying that she will only be entitled to 88.40 in her own right and my Father would loose the 119.47. We cannot understand how my Father was getting 119.47 for her when she was workin and now that she is not she is only entitled to 88.40..Why would she not be entitled to the 153.00euro that it says on social welfare site based on her wages?? They are going to loose on average about 130pw and cannot afford such a decrease in the household..Could anyone shed some light on this situation?? Thank you...

According to SW website, for claims made in 2009 or 2010, Illness Benefit is paid at €88.10 pw for persons whose average earnings are €150pw or less.

The €153pw rate for earnings between €125 and €150pw only applied to claims made in 2008.

If it is more advantageous for your father to claim for your mother as a dependant than for her to claim in her own right, they should contact Illness Benefit Section and ask about how to do that. Your mother should continue to send in certificates, so that her PRSI record is kept up to date.

Thank you Gippman...But how is it that my Father gets 119 while she was working part time and now that she is not working he would either be entitled to 119 or she would be entitled to 88euro pw??