Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 section 45

Duration of payment (optional contributors)

Section 45 limits the duration of Illness Benefit for those who qualify through voluntary (optional) contributions and explains how they can requalify after reaching the maximum entitlement.

• Voluntary contributors who qualify for Illness Benefit through optional contributions are limited to 312 days of benefit within a period of interruption of employment.
• Once 312 days have been claimed, the person cannot receive further Illness Benefit unless they requalify.
• To requalify, the person must pay optional contributions in the contribution year following the benefit year in which the 312th day fell.
• Requalification takes effect in the benefit year after the contribution year in which those optional contributions were paid.