Illness Benefit

If i have been on IB for the 2 yrs maximum when can I go back onto it again can anyone tell me please??

If your illness has lasted for two years you should look at the possibility of going on to Invalidity Pension http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Schemes/Il...hDisabilities/InvalidityPension/Pages/ip.aspx

If you go back to work within the 26 week period after you last receive Illness Benefit, you can re-qualify for Illness Benefit again after making an additional 13 weeks PRSI contributions, provided you meet all the criteria, including PRSI contributions in the relevant year.

If it is longer than 26 weeks after your last period of Illness Benefit, you can make a fresh claim without it linking back to your previous claim. Again you would have to meet all criteria to be eligible.

As re-qualification requires that you have been working again for a period, there is likely to be added scrutiny about whether you are fit to work or not if you claim again shortly after exhausting your benefit.

Also, if you have been out sick for two years, then you may have difficulty in satisfying the PRSI contributions for the relevant year. Also, if you were out sick entirely in the relevant year and only have credits for that year, then you will only get the minimum rate of Illness Benefit.

For full details of Illness Benefit see here http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Schemes/IllnessDisabilityAndCaring/Illness/IllnessBenefit/Pages/ib.aspx

Thanks a million, that clears a lot up. I was let go as a result of this injury.. so can't go back to work anyway. Waiting for surgery now. I have developed a totally separate illness to the injury and I thought maybe i could just start a new claim, I thought maybe that seemed a bit too easy. Thanks for your help