537. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person in County Cork (details supplied) can lodge an application for illness benefit while waiting on a decision on their disability allowance appeal. [43199/24]

A person should always apply for Illness Benefit if they are medically certified as unfit for work.

Eligibility for Illness Benefit depends on the person’s PRSI record and class. People must have made the required number of contributions in Class A, E, H or P to qualify. In general, self-employed people make PRSI contributions at Class S which does not count towards eligibility for Illness Benefit.

If the person does not qualify for Illness Benefit and is encountering difficulties in meeting their basic financial commitments, it is open to them to contact the Community Welfare Service at their local Intreo Centre to see if they might qualify for assistance under the terms of the means-tested Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.