Should I transfer from One Parent Family Paymenbt to full Illness Benefit- confused?

I had an appointment with my Consultant on Friday and he has advised that I will not be fit to go back to work for at least another 6 to 12 months.

I am currently in receipt of One Parent Family Payment and half rate Illness Benefit for almost a year now. My understanding is that if I remain on OPFP that I am entitled to half rate Illness Benefit for 12/15mths. However given my consultants advice should I transfer in full to Illness Benefit only to receive it at the full rate (which I understand does not have the 12/15mth limit) and give up LPA, my worry is that if I remain on LPA only when Illness Benefit time frames runs out in the coming months will I be expected to be seeking work when in fact I will not be fit to work.

I am also confused as to who I should contact to get advice on this, is it the Illness Benefit Section or the Lone Parent Sections, many thanks?

Re: Should I transfer from One Parent Family Paymenbt to full Illness Benefit- confus

Yes, there is a time limit for receipt of Illness Benefit when on One-parent Family Payment. Then there are other rules regrsding how long it is paid.

If you have 260 weeks PRSI paid since you first began work, you may be entitled to Illness Benefit for as long as you are unfit for work and you are under 66.

From January 2009, if you have 260 or more PRSI contributions you can get Illness Benefit for a maximum of 2 years. This change will not affect people getting Illness Benefit before this date.

If you have between 104 and 259 weeks PRSI contributions paid, you may be entitled to Illness Benefit for only up to a year. You wopuld need to check this out with the Illness Benefit section to see where you stand.

Re: Should I transfer from One Parent Family Paymenbt to full Illness Benefit- confus

Welfarite said:

Yes, there is a time limit for receipt of Illness Benefit when on One-parent Family Payment. Then there are other rules regrsding how long it is paid.

If you have 260 weeks PRSI paid since you first began work, you may be entitled to Illness Benefit for as long as you are unfit for work and you are under 66.

From January 2009, if you have 260 or more PRSI contributions you can get Illness Benefit for a maximum of 2 years. This change will not affect people getting Illness Benefit before this date.

If you have between 104 and 259 weeks PRSI contributions paid, you may be entitled to Illness Benefit for only up to a year. You wopuld need to check this out with the Illness Benefit section to see where you stand.

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Thanks Welfarite, I had been working for 18yrs so I'd say my PRSI contributions are up to date, I will ring the Illness Benefit Section to clarify what I should do for the best, thanks.

Re: Should I transfer from One Parent Family Paymenbt to full Illness Benefit- confus

Cashstrapped said:

Thanks Welfarite, I had been working for 18yrs so I'd say my PRSI contributions are up to date, I will ring the Illness Benefit Section to clarify what I should do for the best, thanks.

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Just remember to ask them about losing things like Fuel Allowance next winter ....don't think that's paid on Illness Benefit but maybe after 15 months on it.

Re: Should I transfer from One Parent Family Paymenbt to full Illness Benefit- confus

Welfarite said:

Just remember to ask them about losing things like Fuel Allowance next winter ....don't think that's paid on Illness Benefit but maybe after 15 months on it.

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I've never received Fuel Allowance? Should I have been given that I am getting OPFP and half Illness Benefit, I also receive child maintenance albeit that has become erratic. Is there anything else I might be missing, thanks again.

Re: Should I transfer from One Parent Family Paymenbt to full Illness Benefit- confus

Fuel Allowance is not paid with Illness Benefit - Smog Allowance can be if you live in a smokeless fuel zone.
Neither is the Christmas Bonus (if it is re-instated at any time in the future).

Both may be payable with One Parent Family Payment (the fuel allowance does take additional income into account which may be why you didn't get it).

Re: Should I transfer from One Parent Family Paymenbt to full Illness Benefit- confus

Thanks Gipimann for the added information.