What Illness Benefit Form Should Employees Submit in Ireland?

Illness Benefit is an Irish social welfare payment your employees may receive if they are unable to work due to sickness.

To apply, employees must submit:

• The IB1 Form - Illness Benefit Form

• The Certificate of Incapacity for Work (provided by a family doctor or general practitioner)

By supporting your employees through the application process, you can help them access the assistance they need during illness. 

Keep reading for more details on Illness Benefit forms.

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

Here are the documents your employees will need to apply for Illness Benefit:

A. IB1 Form (Illness Benefit Form)

Employees must complete the IB1 form and apply within six weeks of becoming ill to claim their Illness Benefit payment.

In the Illness Benefit claim form, employees must fill out their:

• 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 dependant children/child

Where Can Your Employees Get the IB1 Form? 

Your employees can fill out and submit the Illness Benefit claim form online on mywelfare.ie or request a paper form from their doctor.

Alternatively, they can email [email protected] with “Application Request” in the subject line.

To support their claim, they must also submit a medical certificate from their doctor. Let’s discuss that next.

Important: Illness Benefit shouldn’t be confused with sick pay. 

Sick pay is the amount employers pay when employees cannot make it to the workplace due to sickness. However, illness benefit is a weekly payment that employees may get if they cannot work due to illness — provided the employees meet certain social insurance (PRSI) conditions. 

B. Certificate of Incapacity for Work

Employees can get a ‘Certificate of Incapacity for Work’ from their doctor or general practitioner (GP), which confirms they’re incapable and unfit for work.

The GP can issue a certificate for the duration of your employee’s illness. The GP can complete this certificate online, or if not, they can provide your employee with a physical certificate.

Employees do not have to pay any charges to get the ‘Certificate of Incapacity for Work,’ as the Department of Social Protection pays the GP an agreed amount. However, they may have to pay the doctor for the check-up.

Where Can Your Employees Get the Certificate of Incapacity for Work?

Your employee’s doctor may share this certificate electronically. If not, employees can request a paper copy to submit with their physical claim form.

Where Should Your Employees Send Their Illness Benefit Forms?

Your workers can submit their Illness Benefit application form online on mywelfare.ie if they have a verified MyGovID account and a Public Service Card.

Alternatively:

They can mail a completed physical application form, along with their ‘Certificate of Incapacity for Work’, via Freepost to: 

Social Welfare Services,

PO Box 1650, 

Dublin 1.

Before submitting the form, ensure your employees verify their eligibility for Illness Benefit. To qualify, they must:

• Be under 66 years old (pension age).

• Be certified unfit for work by a doctor or general practitioner.

• Apply within six weeks of the illness.

• Have sufficient social insurance contributions under classes A, E, H, or P.

Things Your Employees Must Keep in Mind While Receiving Illness Benefit

Your employees must continue to meet the following conditions to keep receiving their Illness Benefit payments:

• They cannot be engaged in any employment or self-employment roles.

• They must not be receiving any holiday pay from you.

• They must appear for any assessment the Department of Social Protection (DSP) asks them to attend and answer any relevant questions.

• They cannot continue to claim Illness Benefit if they move to a country that falls outside EU regulations.

The Irish government, in its 'Budget 2025,' announced a €12 weekly increase for those receiving the maximum Illness Benefit rate, effective January 2025. Under this update, the current Illness Benefit rate is €244 per week.

For more information, explore our in-depth guide on Illness Benefit in Ireland to better support your employees.

4 FAQs on Illness Benefit in Ireland

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

1. Can Employers or Business Owners Apply for Illness Benefit in Ireland? 

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

If you’re ill and need paid time off work, you can apply for other welfare benefits, such as the Invalidity Pension.

Discover why self-employed individuals aren’t eligible for Illness Benefit and explore alternative welfare payments available to you in our detailed guide.

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

If your employees have received Illness Benefit for at least six months, they can apply for Partial Capacity Benefit (PCB), Disability Allowance, or Invalidity Pension. These benefits allow your employees to return to work while still receiving a social welfare payment. 

However, your employees CANNOT begin working until they’ve received written approval from the DSP.

Employees who don’t qualify for Illness Benefit may be eligible for Supplementary Welfare Allowance. It’s a weekly payment given to those who don’t earn enough to meet their basic needs and those of their dependents.

Here are some other social welfare payments your employees can get with Illness Benefit — provided they 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 Your Employees Close Their Illness Benefit Claim?

Employees can close their Illness Benefit claim when they are well enough to resume work. 

To do so, your employees must inform the Department of Social Protection over email or by phone:

• Email: [email protected]

• Phone: (01) 704 3300, 0818 928 400

Moreover, to close the claim, your employee’s doctor should also mark their last ‘Certificate of Incapacity for Work’ as the final one. If they can't get it marked by their doctor, they must notify the DSP. 

In addition to contacting the DSP via the provided email address and phone numbers, employees can also notify the DSP by post at the following address:

Illness Benefit - Close My Claim,

Illness Benefit Section,

Social Welfare Services, 

PO Box 1650, Dublin 1

4. Can Your Employees Receive Illness Benefit After the Age of 66?

Employees who don’t withdraw their State Pension (Contributory) at age 66 and meet the Illness Benefit scheme's conditions may continue to receive or apply for Illness Benefit until age 70.

However, they will not receive credited contributions while on Illness Benefit after age 66, which could affect their State Pension (Contributory) entitlements. 

As an employer, you should communicate this to your employees to help guide them on their options as they approach retirement age.

Empower Employees by Offering Health Insurance Benefits 

Illness Benefit helps cover basic financial needs during sick leave, but true employee care goes beyond statutory support. 

Employers are not obligated to pay their employees when they are on sick leave.

But if you're an employer who wants to support their employees' well-being – join Kota.

With Kota, you can offer flexible, affordable health benefits that empower your team to access the care they need when it matters most.

Set a budget or choose a plan — your employees can personalize their cover with options from trusted local providers, ensuring they get the right protection for their unique needs 

So why not give your team the care they deserve with Kota?