Press release
Minister Humphreys: Enhanced Illness Benefit is available to people who are diagnosed with Covid-19 or told to self-isolate
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, is reminding people that the Enhanced Illness Benefit (EIB) – paid at the €350 rate – is available to anyone who is diagnosed with Covid-19 or told to self-isolate.
Minister Humphreys said today it is extremely important that anyone who is diagnosed with Covid-19, or is designated as a close contact, stays at home and does not attend work.
In the past week, 3,501 people have applied for the Enhanced Illness Benefit. The overall number now stands at 8,237.
The total cost of payments issued under the Pandemic Unemployment Payment has this week surpassed €9 Billion. This week the Department of Social Protection issued weekly payments to 57,603 people in receipt of PUP, representing an increase of 2,267 on last week.
These figures are in addition to the 164,626 people who were on the Live Register at the end of November.
Minister Humphreys recently announced that the PUP is open to new entrants who lose their jobs due to the current restrictions.
The PUP rate is linked to a person’s prior income.
Commenting today, Minister Humphreys said:
“I’m conscious that this Christmas will once again be extremely difficult for people – particularly for those who have lost their jobs due to Covid-19.
“I’m thinking especially about workers in the night-time economy and hospitality, as well as those in the entertainment industry who have been severely impacted.
“That’s why I felt it was so important to re-open the Pandemic Unemployment Payment, so that we can continue to support our workers who have been affected.
“I also want to send a strong message out today in relation to the Enhanced Illness Benefit.
“As a result of changes I introduced, this support is paid from Day One of somebody being ill or having to self-isolate due to Covid-19.
“I’m urging people, who test positive or are told to self-isolate, to apply via MyWelfare.ie and this support will be made available.”
Minister Humphreys continued:
“The total value of payments issued under the Pandemic Unemployment Payment has this week passed €9 Billion. The scale of the support provided under the PUP is unprecedented in the history of the State. However, it was and remains the right thing to do to support our citizens.
“The PUP is open for applications for workers impacted by restrictions, including the self-employed, and the quickest and easiest way to apply is at MyWelfare.ie.”
Since Tuesday, 7th December PUP has re-opened for workers who have been impacted by the latest restrictions and measures to slow down the spread of the Covid virus.
There are five weekly rates of PUP payable for these workers who lose their job as a result of the latest restrictions from 7th December. The rate of payment is determined by the person’s weekly earnings, namely €350, €300, €250, €203 and €150.
To align PUP with EWSS and to better reflect the earnings of part-time workers, a new rate of €150 will be payable to those who previously earned less than €151.50 per week.
The Department of Social Protection is using Revenue data to verify employment status and earnings for all applications.
Although applicants should apply online, they may be required, as is the case with other work-related payments, to attend an Intreo Centre to present evidence of their employment status.
The Department will ensure that people who lose their job between Friday 17th December and 23rd December and who are eligible for a PUP payment will be paid next week while those who lose their job from 24th December to 30th December and who are eligible for payment will be paid on Tuesday, 4th January 2022 along with all other PUP recipients.
Employees or self-employed people who contract the virus or who are medically certified by their doctor to self-isolate are advised to apply for Enhanced Illness Benefit. Unlike the standard Illness Benefit, the Enhanced Illness Benefit is paid from the first day of illness. The quickest and easiest way to apply for Enhanced Illness benefit is through www.MyWelfare.ie.
Today, there are 8,237 people in receipt of Enhanced Illness Benefit. This is an increase of 3,501 on this day last week when it was 4,736. The EIB statistics change daily.
The most recent tables relating to PUP and EIB are available in the below Appendices.
ENDS
