Enhanced Illness Benefit extended until end September

As of yesterday morning, there are 3,911 people receiving the payment.

The Government has approved the extension of Enhanced Illness Benefit from the end of June until the end of September 2022.

Introduced at the start of the pandemic as a payment for employees and self-employed people diagnosed with Covid -19 or as a probable source of infection by a medical practitioner, Enhanced Illness Benefit is paid at the weekly rate of €350 and it is paid from the first day of illness.

To date, some 516,433 people have been medically certified for receipt of a Covid-19 related Illness Benefit payment. The total amount paid in this support to date is €313.54 million.

In the week from Friday, 10th June 2022 to Thursday, 16th June 2022, some 4,546 people were medically certified for receipt of a Covid-19 related Illness Benefit payment.

As of yesterday morning, there are 3,911 people receiving the payment.

Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, previously extended the period for which the Enhanced Illness Benefit was to be made available from February 2022 to end June 2022.

Announcing this further extension, Minister Humphreys commented: “This payment, which is at a higher rate than the standard Illness Benefit, was due to finish initially last February and I extended it to the end of this month and have now extended it to the end of September 2022.

“As we’re currently experiencing an increase in the number of people being diagnosed with Covid-19 in our communities, my Government colleagues and I want to ensure that this financial support continues to be available to these workers, should they contract the virus.

“I would appeal to anyone who contracts the Covid -19 virus or is displaying symptoms to self-isolate immediately.

“The simplest way to apply for the Enhanced Illness Benefit is via MyWelfare.ie.”