Illness Benefit is the main social welfare payment when you cannot work due to illness in Ireland. Here is how it works alongside employer sick pay and what medical certs you need.
If you cannot work due to illness in Ireland, there are typically two parallel layers of support:
Many employer contracts also provide additional sick pay beyond SSP — check your employment contract or HR.
Per DSP Illness Benefit:
The Department of Social Protection has specific requirements:
Online Doctor consultations can provide sick certificates accepted by most employers for short-term absence and by colleges/schools for student absence. Examples include:
The DSP MED1 form is a separate document from the sick cert above. Your own treating doctor can complete it — or we can.
For employer or school sick certs, an Online Doctor consultation is fast, confidential, and accepted by most employers and schools. For DSP Illness Benefit (MED1), please see your treating doctor.
Sources: DSP Illness Benefit, gov.ie welfare services, Citizens Information. Rates and rules change with each Budget — always confirm current figures at gov.ie.
Statutory Sick Pay (employer-funded) + Illness Benefit (DSP-funded after waiting days).
Most illness payments need a doctor's certificate confirming inability to work.
The claim needs its own certificate, not the employer sick note. We can file it with the department — allow up to 72 hours once your details reach us.
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