Over 25,000 people received the Enhanced Illness Benefit between December 31, 2021, and January 6, 2022, according to the latest figures published by the Department of Social Protection.
The value of those payments was a reported €9.7 million as thousands of employees are forced to isolate at home with Covid-19 amid the latest surge of infection.
NPHET predicted earlier this week that despite the number of cases being extraordinarily high each day, they don’t accurately represent the real level of infection.
It is estimated that there are actually around 30,000 cases a day at the moment.
In line with the latest jump in numbers, Minister Heather Humphreys issued a reminder to employees and the self-employed that they need specific documentation to apply for the Enhanced Illness Benefit should they contract Covid and miss out on work.
She recently announced that the Department of Social Protection had decided to expand the range of documentation that applicants could use to apply for the weekly payment, meaning they now accept:
- Text message from the HSE that they are a close contact.
- Text message from the HSE that they have a positive PCR.
- Certification from your GP that they have symptoms of Covid-19 and/or are a probable source of infection.
- Confirmation from the HSE that they have ordered an antigen test.
Speaking on Wednesday, Minister Humphreys said the jump in the number of people receiving the payment shows how transmissible the virus is right now.
“The increasing number of people receiving the Enhanced Illness Benefit demonstrates just how easily this virus can spread,” she said.
“This financial support is there for any employee or the self-employed person who cannot work because they have been diagnosed with the virus or they have to self-isolate.
“My Department is processing the applications for this payment as quickly as possible. The quickest and easiest way to apply for this payment is online through www.MyWelfare.ie.”
