How Employees Can Apply for Irish Illness Benefit: 2025 Guide

Do your employees need guidance on applying for Ireland's Illness Benefit?

This essential benefit, funded by the government, provides financial relief and acts as a safety net when your employees are unable to work due to illness.

Helping your team navigate unexpected health challenges ensures they have access to the resources they need.

Let’s explore how it works and your role in the process so you can effectively support your team’s welfare.

Further Reading

• Find out the Illness Benefit Phone Number and Address in Ireland to guide your employees.
• Discover the popular Employee Benefits In Ireland to help you create a solid benefits package to attract and retain talent in 2025.
• Explore how Ireland’s Auto Enrolment Pensions scheme operates and what it means for your business.

How Your Employees Can Apply for Illness Benefit in Ireland: Eligibility, Documents & Process

Your employees must meet certain eligibility criteria to qualify for Illness Benefit in Ireland.

For instance, they must be under Ireland’s pension age (66 in 2025-26) and meet specific PRSI (Pay Related Social Insurance ) contribution conditions (typically under Class A for employed people).

Explore our detailed Illness Benefit guide for a deeper dive into employee eligibility.

If your employees are medically certified as unfit for work, they must apply for Illness Benefit — even if they don't qualify for payments. That’s because they may receive PRSI credits to maintain their social insurance record for future payments.

Documents Your Employees Need to Apply for Illness Benefit

Assuming your employees are eligible for illness benefit, here are the essential documents they’ll need:

• Personal Public Service (PPS) Number: This is your employee's passport to the social welfare system, so advise them to keep it handy!

• Medical certificates: After confirming your employee's inability to work due to illness, their doctor will issue a 'Certificate of Incapacity for Work'. It typically covers the duration of their illness. The GP will likely submit the certificate electronically to the Department of Social Protection (DSP), saving employees from paperwork hassle. If not, employees must submit a paper copy of the certificate with their Illness Benefit application (details coming ahead).
• Completed Illness Benefit application form (IB1): This is where your employees will fill in their personal information, employment status, and illness details. Find out How Your Employees Can Get the IB1 Claim Form.
• Proof of employment and earnings (if applicable): If currently employed, an employee’s recent payslips will be sufficient.

Want to apply for Illness Benefit as a business owner?
Learn about Illness Benefit for Self-Employed Individuals.

2 Ways Your Employees Can Apply for Illness Benefit in Ireland

Ask your employees to apply for Illness Benefit within 6 weeks of getting sick, or they may face delays and potential payment reductions.

However, if they have a valid reason for applying late, the Department of Social Protection may backdate their payment.

Here’s how they can apply:

1. Online Application

The most straightforward method of applying for Illness Benefit is the online application, but for this, your employees must have a verified MyGovID account.

To apply for the benefit, your employees must:

• Visit MyWelfare.ie and log in with their verified MyGovID account.
• Enter their personal details, including their PPS Number.
• Upload the 'Certificate of Incapacity for Work' given by their GP.
• Upload their recent payslips or employment verification.
• Review their application for accuracy and submit it online.
• Track the status of their application directly on MyWelfare.ie.

2. Paper Application

Alternatively, employees can fill out the IB1 form and send it to the department via mail.

In this application procedure, your employees will have to:

• Get an IB1 form from their GP or request it by calling the Illness Benefit section at +353 1 704 3300 or emailing illnessbenefit@welfare.ie.
• Fill in their details, including their PPS Number.
• Attach the 'Certificate of Incapacity for Work' issued by their GP.
• If applicable, include proof of employment and earnings.
• Send the completed form and attachments to:
  • The Illness Benefit Section, Social Welfare Services, PO Box 1650, Dublin 1.
• After mailing, employees can contact the Illness Benefit section through the number above to confirm receipt of their application.

Are Employees Living Outside of Ireland Eligible to Apply for Illness Benefit?

The process for your employees applying for Illness Benefit as Irish citizens abroad depends on whether they reside within or outside the EU.

A. For Citizens in the EU

• Irish citizens in EU countries can apply for Illness Benefit, provided they've paid PRSI in Ireland and meet other eligibility conditions.
• They must submit the required documents to Irish authorities, including a medical certificate.
• Eligible individuals can receive payments while residing in another EU country.

B. For Citizens Outside the EU

• Ireland's agreements with some non-EU countries allow Illness Benefit claims under certain conditions.
• Additional documentation or steps may be required based on the specific country's agreement.
• Applicants must adhere to both Irish and local regulations for social security benefits.

Explore the updated Illness Benefit Rate for 2025 and discover When Illness Benefit Is Paid.

If your employees are receiving Illness Benefit, they may be eligible for an additional amount for a Qualified Child or Adult (a spouse or partner), who is dependent on them. To receive an increase for a dependent, employees must include their details on their initial claim form and attach supporting documents with the application. If they’ve missed this step, they can contact the Department of Social Protection's relevant section directly.

What Should Employees Do If Their Illness Benefit Application Is Declined?

In case your employee's Illness Benefit application gets declined, ask them not to feel disheartened and give up immediately.

They may be able to address the issue by taking the following steps:

• Contact the Department of Social Protection to determine why they declined their application.

• If it's due to insufficient documentation, collect any additional evidence or detailed medical reports.

• Get guidance from a Citizens Information Centre or social welfare officer.

• Appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office within 21 days of the decision, and be prepared to present their case with all relevant evidence.

• The review process takes time, especially for complex cases. So your employees may even need to consider taking legal advice for such cases.

Additionally, regardless of their Illness Benefit application status, you can encourage your employees to explore their eligibility for other social welfare payments, such as:

• Supplementary Welfare Allowance: Immediate financial aid (paid weekly) for essential needs during temporary financial crises.

• Disability Allowance: Long-term support for those with a disability affecting work capability for over a year.

• Jobseeker Allowance: A weekly payment for the unemployed actively seeking employment, assessed by means.

What Can Employers Do to Support Their Team in Times of Illness?

While Illness Benefit is provided by the Department of Social Protection (DSP), employers can assist their staff in the following ways:

• Verify PRSI Contributions: Ensure your employees meet the required PRSI contribution class (typically Class A for most workers). This helps streamline their eligibility verification.

• Provide Employment Verification: Employees applying for Illness Benefit may need proof of employment and recent earnings, such as payslips. Timely provision of these documents can expedite their application process.

• Offer Support with Statutory Sick Pay (SSP): Since Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) overlaps with Illness Benefit, employees must exhaust their SSP entitlement (currently 7 days in 2025) before applying for Illness Benefit. Communicate this to your employees and maintain accurate records.

• Inform Employees about Timely Application: Encourage employees to apply for Illness Benefit within 6 weeks of falling ill to avoid delays or payment reductions.

3 FAQs on Illness Benefit Ireland

We’ll answer some commonly asked questions on Illness Benefit:

1. How Is Illness Benefit Different from Statutory Sick Pay Offered to Employees?

Unlike Illness Benefit, which is funded by the Department of Social Protection and based on the employees' PRSI contributions, Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is paid by employers.

Starting January 2025, an employee can take seven days of Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) per year — up from five days previously (in 2024).

But remember:

Your employees can't claim Illness Benefit for the days they’re receiving the SSP.

Here’s what this means for your employee’s entitlements:

If they get sick for less than 7 days in 2025 and are eligible for Statutory Sick Pay, Illness Benefit is unnecessary. But if that illness persists over 7 days, they can get Illness Benefit starting on day 8.

Additionally, if your employees use up their 7 SSP days and fall ill again in the same year, Illness Benefit would kick in after the usual 3-day waiting period (there is no payment for the first 3 days of illness).

2. What Is the Long-Term Illness Scheme in Ireland, and How Is it Different From Illness Benefit Offered to Irish Workers?

The Long-Term Illness Scheme in Ireland provides free medicines and medical appliances to employees in case of specific long-term illnesses or disabilities.

Unlike the Illness Benefit, which offers financial support to employees with short-term inability to work due to illness, the Long-Term Illness Scheme focuses on covering the costs of specific medical needs.

It's also not based on social insurance contributions.

3. How is Partial Capacity Benefit Different from Illness Benefit?

Partial Capacity Benefit is designed for employees returning to work with reduced capacity after an illness.

It bridges the gap between illness recovery and resuming full employment. It allows your employees to earn an income while still receiving support, bridging the gap between Illness Benefit and full-time employment.

Ensure Your Team’s Welfare With Employee Health Insurance

Got that Illness Benefit application for your employees under control? Great!

But even with Ireland's Illness Benefit and other health-related programs, unexpected medical expenses can still leave a dent in your team's wallet.

That's where Kota can help.

Kota is a digital employee benefits management platform that enables business owners and contractors to provide top-notch and compliant health insurance plans to their Irish teams.

This way, employers can ensure comprehensive coverage for their staff beyond what social welfare provides.

With Kota's all-in-one app, you can:

• Craft the perfect coverage plan and manage investments.
• Eliminate paperwork and extra fees, saving time and money.
• Get a competitive edge by benchmarking your benefits against others in your area using our geo-location data.

Why wait? Get started with Kota to cover your team in minutes!