Injury Benefit
Information
Injury Benefit
Injury Benefit is one of the benefits available under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme. It is a weekly payment made to you if you are unfit for work due to:
- An accident at work
- An accident while travelling (on an unbroken journey) directly to or from work
- An occupational disease.
An occupational disease is a disease that you contract in the course of your employment or due to the work you do, for example, from contact with physical or chemical agents. The Department of Social Protection has a list of Prescribed Occupational Diseases.
To get Injury Benefit you must be unfit for work for more than 3 days as a result of the accident or disease (excluding Sundays or paid holiday leave). However, even if you are not unfit for work for more than 3 days you are entitled to a declaration that an occupational accident occurred. This safeguards your future rights to benefits under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme (as not all work accidents and diseases result immediately in illness or disablement).
Rules
Social insurance (PRSI) contributions
People covered by PRSI Class A, D, J or M are covered in full for Injury Benefit. This means that almost all employees in Ireland are insured for Injury Benefit.
You do not have to be insured under Class A, D, J or M for any particular length of time to qualify for Injury Benefit. You will qualify if you are unfit for work because of an accident at work or an occupational disease. Your illness or incapacity must last for more than 3 days (excluding Sundays or paid holiday leave).
How long is Injury Benefit paid?
Injury Benefit is not paid for the first 3 days of your illness or incapacity. Payment can be made for up to 26 weeks starting from the date of your accident or development of the disease.
If you are still unable to work after 26 weeks, you may be entitled to Illness Benefit, Disability Allowance or Supplementary Welfare Allowance. You may also be entitled to Disablement Benefit if you suffer a loss of physical or mental faculty as a result of the accident or disease. Alternatively, if you do not qualify for Illness Benefit or another social welfare payment and you are getting Disablement Benefit, you may be eligible for Incapacity Supplement.
Rehabilitative work
You may take part in training or part-time work which is rehabilitiative and get Injury Benefit. You cannot work for more than 20 hours per week. You must get permission from the Occupational Injuries Benefit Section (see 'Where to apply' below) before you start rehabilitative work or training.
It should be noted that exemptions allowing a person to work are not normally granted within the first 26 weeks of Injury Benefit. However, at the end of your Injury Benefit, if you qualify for either Illness Benefit or Incapacity Supplement with Disablement Benefit, a exemption to work may be granted at that stage.
Rates
Rate of Injury Benefit in 2012:
| Injury Benefit | Weekly rate 2012 |
| Personal rate | €188 |
| Increase for a Qualified Adult | €124.80 |
| Increase for a Qualified Child | €29.80 (full rate) €14.90 (half rate) |
You may get an increase in your payment for an adult dependant and dependant children.
How to apply
You should apply for Injury Benefit within 21 days of becoming ill, otherwise you may lose benefit.
To apply for Injury Benefit, you should visit a doctor and get a First Social Welfare Medical Certificate. The First Social Welfare Medical Certificate is both an application form and medical certificate for Injury Benefit. Send it to the Injury Benefit Section - see 'Where to apply' below.
You should forward an Intermediate Medical Certificate each week for as long as you are unfit for work. You can get an Intermediate Medical Certificate from your doctor.
Where to apply
You can hand your First Social Welfare Certificate and Intermediate Medical Certificates into your Social Welfare Local Office or post it to:
Injury Benefit Section
Department of Social Protection
PO Box 1650
Dublin 1
Ireland
Tel:(01) 704 3018
For more information contact your Social Welfare Local Office or the Occupational Injuries Benefit Section:
Occupational Injuries Benefit Section
Department of Social Protection
Áras Mhic Dhiarmada
Store Street
Dublin 1
Ireland
Tel:(01) 704 3018
Language
Related Documents
- Disablement Benefit
Disablement benefit may be payable to you if as a result of an accident at work in Ireland or a prescribed disease contracted at work, you suffer a loss of physical or mental faculty. - Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme - Introduction
The Occupational Injuries Benefit scheme provides a range of benefits for people injured or incapacitated by an accident at work or while travelling directly to or from work. - Medical Care Scheme
An insured employee in Ireland that is injured at work or who contracts a prescribed occupational disease is entitled to social welfare benefits.
Contact Us
If you have a question relating to this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0761 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm) or you can visit your local Citizens Information Centre.