If you are in insurable employment and earn €352 or more a week,
PRSI is deducted from your earnings each week. If you earn
between €38 and €352 a week, you do not pay PRSI but your
employer does, which ensures that you are covered.
If you are absent from work due to illness, PRSI deductions may
not be made. However, you may qualify for credits instead. Credits
keep your social insurance record up to date, which helps to
protect your entitlement to benefits and pensions in the future.
You usually get credits at the same PRSI class as your last paid
PRSI contribution and will get them for the time you claim Illness
Benefit.
You may also get credits for each complete contribution week that
you claim Illness Benefit, even if you are not receiving a
payment. It is very important that you continue to send in
medical certificates even if you are only entitled to credits. This
could help you to qualify for social welfare benefits and pensions
in the future.
The Illness Benefit Telephone Enquiry Section, will tell you about
your entitlement to credits while on Illness Benefit, telephone
LoCall 1890 928 400 (from the Republic of Ireland only). For more
information, log on to www.welfare.ie.