You may continue to get Illness Benefit if you have lived or worked in Ireland and you have lived or worked, or are going to live or work, in another country covered by EC Regulations. (Please see page 5 for the list of countries covered by these Regulations).
Going to another country covered by EC Regulations
If you get Illness Benefit from this Department and you intend to move to another country covered by EC Regulations, you must tell us in advance. If you don’t tell us, you may lose some payment or your payment may be delayed.
If you receive Illness Benefit in Ireland from another country covered by Regulations, you should let the country that pays you know if you move abroad.
If you go to live in another country covered by EC Regulations and become ill, you may apply for Illness Benefit from Ireland as long as you got Jobseeker’s Benefit from Ireland (before going abroad) or you paid your last insurance contribution in Ireland.
To apply for Illness Benefit from Ireland, send your medical certificates and application form to the relevant authority in the country where you live and they will send it to us in the Department of Social and Family Affairs.
Note
If you are going to work in another country covered by EC Regulations, bring a E104 Irl. form with you. You will not need this form if you are going to the United Kingdom. You can get the E104 Irl. form from:
International Records Section
Social Welfare Services
Department of Social and Family Affairs
Inner Relief Road
Ardarvan
Buncrana
Co. Donegal
IRELAND
LoCall: 1890 690 690 (from the Republic of Ireland only)
Telephone: +353 1 4715898 (from Northern Ireland or overseas)
If you have any questions about health services while abroad, contact your local office of the Health Service Executive.
Going to another country not covered by EC Regulations
You do not usually get Illness Benefit if you move to a country not covered by EC Regulations. But you may get it if you are away for a short time to get treatment for your illness.
In this case you can either:
- get Illness Benefit when you return, or
- authorise somebody to collect it for you.
Make sure you ask us about your application before you leave Ireland.