Ilness benefit

I have a fractured shoulder and have been out of work 6 weeks so far and a possible 3-6 weeks more.
I tried to get illness benefit because my employer doesn't pay sick pay and I was told (after 5 weeks waiting) that I wasn't entitled to anything because I haven't enough PRSI contributions in the 'relevant year' which is 2007 and I was away travelling that year.
www.welfare.ie say you need:

• At least 104 weeks PRSI paid since you first started work

And

• Have 39 weeks PRSI paid or credited in the relevant tax year (a minimum of 13 weeks must be paid contributions*)

Or

• Have 26 weeks PRSI paid in the relevant tax year and 26 weeks PRSI paid in the tax year immediately before the relevant tax year

I have over 200 weeks PRSI since starting work but I have only 6 PRSI for 2007

However I was looking at the social welfare website and it says

*If you do not have 13 paid contributions in the relevant tax year, the following years can be used to meet this condition:

• The 2 tax years before the relevant tax year
• The last complete tax year,

or

• The current tax year.

I don't know if i'm reading that wrong but does that not mean that I can use the PRSI contributions from 2008 as this is the last complete tax year, I have over 40 PRSI contributions paid that year.

While the Dept can look at other years for the 13 paid contributions, you still have to have 39 contributions for the relevant year (2007), which you don't have as you were away.

For example. Person was working in 2006, and unemployed in 2007 and signing for Jobseeker's Benefit.
That person has 52 contributions for 2007, however they are credited cons only. They do meet the "39 paid or credited" cons requirement but not the "13 paid" on their 2007 record. However, their paid contributions for 2006 can be taken into account, so they would qualify as they now meet both requirements (39 paid or credited, 13 paid).

If you have no income or means, you can apply for Supplementary Welfare Allowance at the local Health Centre. It's a means-tested payment and if you qualify, you can be paid until you're ready to go back to work.

Thanks gipimann.
I tried the local health centre but because my partner works full time we are not entitled to anything. It doesn't matter that we have rent, loans, bills, children and only one income that doesn't cover everything!
I think sometimes it doesn't pay to be hard working and honest.