[Ireland] Thousands issued social welfare eligibility alert over ‘not covered’ sick leave

In Ireland, thousands of social welfare recipients have been warned that they may not be eligible for a key benefit, The Sun reports.

Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary, detailed the exception to the eligibility criteria that could see some people not qualify.

In response to a Dail question from TD Liam Quaide - who asked if a person on certified sick leave would still meet the qualification criteria for the Carer’s Benefit if they had qualified before - the Minister confirmed that those who have taken a period of statutory sick leave during the previous 26 weeks are at risk of not qualifying.

To be eligible for Carer’s Benefit, an individual must have been employed or self-employed for at least eight weeks in the previous 26 weeks and for a minimum of 16 hours each week or 32 hours a fortnight.

This condition reportedly need not be met on a second or subsequent claim where the individual received Carer’s Benefit within the previous 26 weeks.

Mr Calleary stated that the Carer’s Benefit legislation outlines the circumstances in which a carer on leave from employment can still be eligible. This includes if the person was on adoptive leave, health and safety leave, maternity leave, parental leave, parent’s leave or paternity leave.

In addition, they must have still been in full-time paid employment as an employed contributor for eight weeks,

The Minister, however, confirmed that these provisions do not cover periods of statutory sick leave.

“Where a full-time carer is not eligible for Carer’s Benefit, they may apply for the means-tested Carer’s Allowance and the annual Carer’s Support Grant,” he said.

Source: The Sun

(Quotes via original reporting)

In Ireland, thousands of social welfare recipients have been warned that they may not be eligible for a key benefit, The Sun reports.

Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary, detailed the exception to the eligibility criteria that could see some people not qualify.

In response to a Dail question from TD Liam Quaide - who asked if a person on certified sick leave would still meet the qualification criteria for the Carer’s Benefit if they had qualified before - the Minister confirmed that those who have taken a period of statutory sick leave during the previous 26 weeks are at risk of not qualifying.

To be eligible for Carer’s Benefit, an individual must have been employed or self-employed for at least eight weeks in the previous 26 weeks and for a minimum of 16 hours each week or 32 hours a fortnight.

This condition reportedly need not be met on a second or subsequent claim where the individual received Carer’s Benefit within the previous 26 weeks.

Mr Calleary stated that the Carer’s Benefit legislation outlines the circumstances in which a carer on leave from employment can still be eligible. This includes if the person was on adoptive leave, health and safety leave, maternity leave, parental leave, parent’s leave or paternity leave.

In addition, they must have still been in full-time paid employment as an employed contributor for eight weeks,

The Minister, however, confirmed that these provisions do not cover periods of statutory sick leave.

“Where a full-time carer is not eligible for Carer’s Benefit, they may apply for the means-tested Carer’s Allowance and the annual Carer’s Support Grant,” he said.

Source: The Sun

(Quotes via original reporting)