No. Illness Benefit is only available to those paying Class A, E, H or P PRSI. Self-employed people paying Class S PRSI are not covered and would need to look at means-tested payments such as Disability Allowance, which assess household income and savings.

The maximum personal rate is €254 a week, increased from €244 in Budget 2026. The actual amount depends on your average weekly earnings in the relevant tax year, which is 2024 for a claim beginning in 2026. There are three waiting days at the start of each claim, and the payment is taxable.

Premiums paid to a Revenue approved permanent health benefit scheme qualify for income tax relief at your marginal rate, which is unusual among personal insurance policies. Relief is capped at 10% of your total income for the year and does not extend to PRSI or USC. Any benefit paid out under the policy is taxable as income.