College on Sickness Benefit

[billyjoja]

My son was employed in the same job for over ten years. Some months ago he went on sick leave and received Sickness Benefit. His job is now gone and he wants to go to college on a back to education course. He still receives certificates from his doctor and is still in receipt of Sickness Benefit. Does he have to get permission from Social Protection to attend college? His doctor is all for it as it is rehabilitative.

 

[Branz]

Yes
Work and Illness Benefit

You cannot work while you are getting Illness Benefit (you can do voluntary work in some cases). If you have a current Illness Benefit claim and have been getting Illness Benefit for at least 6 months you can apply for Partial Capacity Benefit (PCB). PCB is a scheme which allows you to return to work (if you have a reduced capacity to work) and continue to receive a social welfare payment. A Medical Assessor (who is a doctor employed by the Department of Social Protection (DSP)) will assess the restriction on your capacity for work, and the personal rate of PCB paid is based on this assessment. You cannot take up work until you have written approval to do so from the DSP.

You cannot undertake a training or educational course or do voluntary work without prior, written approval from the Department of Social Protection. You must apply to the Illness Benefit section for this approval. From 1 January 2014 new participants on SOLAS training courses can retain Illness Benefit but cannot get a training allowance or training bonus at the same time.
from
http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/345_Illness-Benefit.aspx

 

[billyjoja]

Illness Benefit

Thank you for your reply Ircoha. My son was in this job since he left school so is not well up on Social Protection. Hopefully they allow him to attend this back to education course.