Injury Benefit

Rules

Social insurance (PRSI) contributions

In general, people in employment insurable at PRSI Class A, D, J or M are covered for Injury Benefit. For people insurable at class M, only employees under 16 years of age are covered.

Civil Servants recruited prior to April 1995 and insured at Class B do not qualify for Injury Benefit but may be entitled to a declaration that an occupational accident occurred and qualify for other benefits under the Occupational Injuries Benefits Scheme.

You do not have to be insured under Class A, D, J or M for any particular length of time to qualify for Injury Benefit. You will qualify if you are unfit for work because of an accident at work or an occupational disease. Your illness or incapacity must last for more than 6 days (excluding Sundays or paid holiday leave).

How long is Injury Benefit paid?

Injury Benefit is not paid for the first 6 days of your illness or incapacity. This was extended to 6 days from 3 days from 6 January 2014. Payment can be made for up to 26 weeks starting from the date of your accident or development of the disease.

If you are still unable to work after 26 weeks, you may be entitled to Illness Benefit, Disability Allowance or Supplementary Welfare Allowance. You may also be entitled to Disablement Benefit if you suffer a loss of physical or mental faculty as a result of the accident or disease. Alternatively, if you do not qualify for Illness Benefit or another social welfare payment and you are getting Disablement Benefit, you may be eligible for Incapacity Supplement.

If you are receiving Family Income Supplement (FIS) and cannot work because of an occupational illness or disease, payment of FIS may continue with Injury Benefit for up to 36 days (6 weeks). Similarly if you are getting Back to Work Family Dividend, payment of BTWFD may continue with Injury Benefit for 36 days (6 weeks).

Rehabilitative work and training

You may take part in training or part-time work which is rehabilitative and get Injury Benefit.

If you wish to take part in a course of training or to undertake rehabilitative work, you must get prior written permission from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.

You do not need prior written permission to undertake:

• light work for which no payment is, or would normally be, payable
• work which is done as part of treatment while you are in hospital or other similar institution and the earnings do not exceed €50.00 per week
• work under a scheme which is considered charitable in character where the earnings do not exceed €50.00 per week

Partial Capacity Benefit

If you have received Injury Benefit for the maximum period of 6 months and have transferred to Illness Benefit, you can apply for Partial Capacity Benefit.