What Illness Benefit Form Do You Need to Submit in Ireland?

Illness Benefit is an Irish social welfare payment you are entitled to receive if you can't work due to sickness.

To apply for Illness Benefit, you must submit:

• IB1 Form - Illness Benefit Form

• Certificate of incapacity for work (provided by a family doctor or GP)

Keep reading for more information on Illness Benefit forms.

Which Forms and Documents Do You Need to Apply for Illness Benefit?

Here are the documents you need to apply for Illness Benefit:

A. IB1 Form (Illness Benefit Form)

To claim Illness Benefit, you must apply within six weeks of becoming ill.

Here's the information you must fill out in your Illness Benefit claim form.

• Personal details

• Contact details

• Claim and employment details

• Late claims

• Spouse, civil partner, cohabitant, or adult dependant details (including income details)

• Payment/Bank details

• Declaration

• Injury Benefit (work-related)

• Employer Declaration

• Details of your dependant children/child

Where Can You Get the IB1 Form?

You can fill out and submit the Illness Benefit claim form online on MyWelfare.ie or request a paper form from your doctor.

Unable to obtain the claim form online or from your doctor?

Email [email protected] with “Application Request” in the subject line to receive the form.

Now:

To support the claim, you must also submit a medical certificate from your doctor.

Let’s discuss that next.

B. Certificate of Incapacity for Work

You can get a ‘Certificate of incapacity for work’ from your doctor or GP to confirm that you are incapable and unfit for work.

Your GP can provide you with a certificate for the duration of your illness, which they can complete online. If your GP cannot complete the Certificate online, you can get a physical certificate and fill out your details.

Where Can You Get the Certificate of Incapacity for Work?

Your doctor can send this Certificate electronically, or you can request a paper copy to send along with your paper claim form.

Where Should You Send Your Illness Benefit Form?

Submit your Illness Benefit application form online on MyWelfare.ie if you have a verified MyGovID account and a Public Service Card.

Alternatively:

You can mail a physical application form.

Send the completed claim forms, along with the ‘Certificate of incapacity for work’, via Freepost to:

Social Welfare Services,

PO Box 1650,

Dublin 1.

Things to Keep in Mind While Receiving Illness Benefit

You must continue to meet the following conditions to keep receiving Illness Benefit payments:

• You CANNOT be engaged in any employment or self-employment roles.

• You MUST NOT receive any holiday pay from your employer.

• You MUST appear for any assessment you're asked to attend by the Department of Social Protection (DSP) and answer any relevant questions.

• You CANNOT continue to claim Illness Benefit if you move to a country that falls outside EU regulations.

3 FAQs on Illness Benefit

Here are the answers to some commonly asked Illness Benefit questions:

1. Is There a Different Illness Benefit Form for Self-Employed People?

Self-employed people are NOT eligible to apply for Illness Benefit.

An exceptional public health measure was taken during Covid-19 called Enhanced Illness Benefit. It allowed both employed and self-employed people to apply for Illness Benefit, encouraging them to self-isolate and stay at home instead of going out to work due.

The Covid-19 Enhanced Illness Benefit was introduced in March 2020 and ended in September 2022.

2. Can I Apply for Other Social Welfare Payments Alongside Illness Benefits?

If you've received Illness Benefit for at least six months, you can apply for Partial Capacity Benefit (PCB). It allows you to return to work while still receiving a social welfare payment.

However, you CANNOT begin working until you've received written approval from the DSP.

Here are some other social welfare payments you can get with Illness Benefit — provided you have enough PRSI contributions:

• Blind Pension

• Half-rate Carer's Allowance

• Disablement Benefit

• One-Parent Family Payment

• Deserted Wife's Allowance/Benefit or Prisoner's Wife's Allowance

3. How Can I Close My Illness Benefit Claim?

You can close your Illness Benefit claim when you are well enough to resume work.

Inform the Department of Social Protection over email or by phone with the contact details below:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 01 7043300, 0818 928400

To close your claim, your doctor should also mark your last ‘Certificate of incapacity for work’ as the final one. If you can't get it marked by your doctor, notify the DSP.

You can reach the DSP via the email address and phone numbers listed above or through post:

Illness Benefit - Close My Claim,

Illness Benefit Section,

Social Welfare Services,

PO Box 1650, Dublin 1

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