People are being reminded today that Enhanced Illness Benefit (EIB) – paid at the €350 rate – is available to anyone who is diagnosed with Covid-19 or told to self-isolate.
Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD is urging anyone who is diagnosed with Covid-19, or is designated as a close contact, to stay at home and do not attend work.
In the past week, 3,501 people have applied for the Enhanced Illness Benefit. The overall number now stands at 8,237.
The total cost of payments issued under the Pandemic Unemployment Payment has this week surpassed €9 Billion. This week the Department of Social Protection issued weekly payments to 57,603 people in receipt of PUP, representing an increase of 2,267 on last week.
These figures are in addition to the 164,626 people who were on the Live Register at the end of November.
Over 1,500 workers in Donegal are receiving Pandemic Unemployment Payment this week.
Minister Humphreys recently announced that the PUP is open to new entrants who lose their jobs due to the current restrictions.
Commenting today, Minister Humphreys said: “I’m conscious that this Christmas will once again be extremely difficult for people – particularly for those who have lost their jobs due to Covid-19.
“I’m thinking especially about workers in the night-time economy and hospitality, as well as those in the entertainment industry who have been severely impacted.
“That’s why I felt it was so important to re-open the Pandemic Unemployment Payment, so that we can continue to support our workers who have been affected.
“I also want to send a strong message out today in relation to the Enhanced Illness Benefit.
“As a result of changes I introduced, this support is paid from Day One of somebody being ill or having to self-isolate due to Covid-19.
“I’m urging people, who test positive or are told to self-isolate, to apply via MyWelfare.ie and this support will be made available.”
Enhanced Illness Benefit (EIB): Employees or self-employed people who contract the virus or who are medically certified by their doctor to self-isolate are advised to apply for Enhanced Illness Benefit. Unlike the standard Illness Benefit, the Enhanced Illness Benefit is paid from the first day of illness. The quickest and easiest way to apply for Enhanced Illness benefit is through www.MyWelfare.ie.
