How it works with Statutory Sick Pay
When you get sick in Ireland, there are two different payments that apply in sequence:
| Stage | Payment | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1–5 of illness | Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) — 70% of wages up to €110/day | Your employer |
| Days 4 onwards (after 3 waiting days) | Illness Benefit — flat weekly rate | Department of Social Protection |
Source: gov.ie — Illness Benefit ↗
You do not get paid for the first 3 days of illness — these are called waiting days. Sunday does not count as a waiting day. Payment starts from day 4.
Who qualifies?
| Condition | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Age | Under 66 |
| Medical cert | Must be certified as unfit to work by a GP |
| PRSI class | Class A, E, H or P contributions |
| Paid PRSI contributions | At least 104 paid contributions since starting work |
| Contributions in relevant tax year | 39 contributions in 2024 (for claims in 2026), of which 13 must be paid |
Self-employed people on Class S PRSI do not generally qualify for Illness Benefit. If you are self-employed and unable to work due to illness, you may be able to claim Disability Allowance instead.
How much is Illness Benefit in 2026?
Your weekly rate depends on your average weekly earnings in the relevant tax year (2024 for claims in 2026).
| Average weekly earnings (2024) | Weekly rate (2026) |
|---|---|
| Less than €150 | €114.00 |
| €150 – €219.99 | €163.70 |
| €220 – €299.99 | €198.90 |
| €300 or more | €254.00 |
Source: gov.ie — Illness Benefit rates 2026 ↗
How long does it last?
| Paid PRSI contributions | Duration |
|---|---|
| 260 or more | Up to 2 years (624 payment days) |
| 104–259 | Up to 1 year (312 payment days) |
If you are still unable to work after Illness Benefit expires, you may be able to apply for Invalidity Pension (if permanently incapacitated) or Disability Allowance.
Common confusion
No. There is a 3-day waiting period — you cannot receive Illness Benefit for the first 3 days of illness. Your employer's Statutory Sick Pay covers the first 5 days (70% of wages), so in practice most employees are covered from day 1 but Illness Benefit itself starts from day 4.
No. You need a medical certificate from a registered GP to claim Illness Benefit. Your doctor completes a certificate of incapacity for work, which you submit with your claim. Regular certificates are required for ongoing claims.
No. Sick pay is a separate employer obligation. Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is paid by your employer for the first 5 sick days per year. Illness Benefit is a government payment that usually starts after SSP ends. They are two different things from two different sources.