Casual worker -stamps have run out, going in for an operation - Illness Benefit?

[TillyD]

Hi,

I am wondering if someone can please help me. I am a casual worker. I use to be able to claim Jobseekers benefit for the days I wasn't working but my stamps ran out (sorry if 'stamps' is now the wrong term)

Anyway, I am going for an operation next week and I am wondering would I be entitled to get illness benefit?

I am assuming because I don't have the stamps to get dole, I won't qualify for illness benefit. I have worked in 2008 and most of last year. This year I've only worked 2/3 days a week.

I am really worried I'll have no wages and no illness benefit. So much that I'm half thinking of canceling the op for another few months.

I have rang social welfare but they just said apply and see...

Thanks in advance for any adivce given.

Tilly

 

[Welfarite]

Exhausting JB entitlement is irrelevant for claiming IB. The contribution conditions are:
104 contributions paid since entry into insurance
and 39 contributions paid or credited in the governing contribution year (13 of these must be paid contributions), which is 2008 this year.
or 26 contributions paid in 2008 and
26 contributions paid in 2007.

Your earnings will affect rate of payment;

'Full personal rate of Illness Benefit is payable where the person is otherwise qualified and has 'average weekly reckonable earnings' greater than €300.00 or more in the relevant tax year (for claims prior to 5th January 2009 this amount was €150.00. Where the person's average weekly earnings are equal to or less than €300.00(for claims prior to 5th January 2009 this amount was €150.00), reduced rates are payable and the rate is determined by reference to the appropriate earnings band.'

 

[TillyD]

Thank you!! I have enough stamps from 2007/08/09 so I should be OK. Thanks a million. One less thing to worry about...