Illness Benefit
A weekly payment if you cannot work because you are sick, based on your PRSI record and your earnings in the relevant tax year. It is not means-tested, but it is time-limited and it is taxable.
- Type
- Based on PRSI
- Paid
- Every week
- Taxable
- Yes
- Administered by
- Department of Social Protection
How much is Illness Benefit?
€254/week
Average weekly earnings €300 or more
| Average weekly earnings €220 – €299.99 | €198.90/week |
|---|---|
| Average weekly earnings €150 – €219.99 | €163.70/week |
| Average weekly earnings under €150 | €114/week |
Increases you may also get
| Increase for an adult dependant (earnings €300+) | €168.60/week |
|---|---|
| Increase for an adult dependant (all lower bands) | €109.20/week |
Your rate is set by your average weekly earnings in the relevant tax year, not by what you earn now.
Effective from Checked
Who can get Illness Benefit
- You must be under 66 and unable to work because of illness.
- You must have enough PRSI contributions — at least 104 weeks paid since you first started work.
- You must apply within 6 weeks of becoming ill.
- Illness Benefit is not paid for the first 3 days of illness.
Is Illness Benefit means tested?
Illness Benefit is not means-tested. It depends on your PRSI contributions and your earnings in the relevant tax year.
Things people get caught by
- Illness Benefit runs for a maximum of 2 years (624 days) with 260 or more PRSI contributions, or 1 year (312 days) with 104–259. After that it stops.
- When Illness Benefit runs out you may move to Disability Allowance (means-tested) or Invalidity Pension (PRSI-based, if you are permanently incapable of work).
- You cannot get Illness Benefit at the full rate at the same time as a full-rate Bereaved Partner's Pension or One-Parent Family Payment.
What else you might get
Payments interact. These are the ones that commonly go with Illness Benefit.
- Carer's Allowance
Half-rate Carer's Allowance can be paid alongside Illness Benefit.
- Working Family Payment
WFP continues alongside Illness Benefit for up to 36 days (6 weeks) per illness.
- Domiciliary Care Allowance
Can be paid with Illness Benefit.