Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

942. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the situation regarding entitlement to illness benefit for the self-employed; and if a person (details supplied) in County Cork meets the requirement for illness benefit as a self-employed person. [33879/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Class S contributions paid by the self employed are not a reckonable contribution for Illness Benefit.

The Department received an application for Illness Benefit from the person concerned on the 14th May 2020. She did not did not satisfy the PRSI contribution conditions necessary for payment as she was paying Class S contributions in the relevant tax years. However, she is currently receiving PRSI credited contributions on her claim.

A letter issued to the person concerned on the 14th May 2020 giving her the full details of this decision.

If a person is ill and incapable of work for at least 12 months and will be unfit for work for at least another 12 months, he or she can apply for the long term Invalidity Pension scheme, for which Class S contributions are a qualifying contribution class. Invalidity Pension has a number of conditions attached to qualification.

Should the person concerned be in need of urgent financial assistance, it is open to her to contact the Community Welfare Service at her local Intreo Centre.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.