Illness benefit

[justasking2]

Hi My husband was been off work since end of December 2008, and he has been receiving illness benefir since January 2009. We had a letter today saying that his contributions will run out on 29 Dec 09 and to continue to receive the ilness benefit he will need to earn a further 13. How is he to do this is he is unfit to work ?? We are not sure if he will be able to return this year as he is still waiting on tests and our GP wants him to have the swine flu vacine as soon as available as he would be a high risk person

 

[Welfarite]

The only way he can re-qualify for IB is to be fit to return to work, cease claiming IB and then work at least 13 weeks. That's what they mean.

 

[annet]

It is also open to your husband to apply for disability allowance and the medical critieria is that his illness must have or is expected to last for at least one year. This is a means tested payment - so his application for means will take into account your income if you are employed, his income, any savings, investments etc. It would be worth get in touch with citizens information also for advice.

 

[Black Sheep]

Are you sure a full check was done on his PRSI record.
Does he have 260 contributions since first starting work or contributions from another country.

I have come across cases where SW did not access the full record perhaps of 20 years ago