CFI writes to Government to express concern about future COVID-19 Payments once place of work resumes
Cystic Fibrosis Ireland (CFI) has written to the government today (20 May) to express our strong concern about the forthcoming ending of COVID 19 payments to those who decide to delay returning to the workplace because they are at ‘high risk’ from COVID-19 when their place of work resumes.
CFI have checked our information with the Department of Employment and Social Protection (DEASP) and with Citizens’ Information. They both confirm our information is correct but some details about how this policy will be enacted remain sketchy.
CFI is seeking further explanation and clarification and we would hope that this is an oversight rather than deliberate policy.
If it is deliberate policy and is poorly thought through, it could mean pressurising those at high risk back to work, when it is not safe for them to do so. The only alternative would be for this group of employees to take a major drop in income by having to apply for ordinary Illness Benefit or Supplementary Welfare, or to become unemployed through 'their own choice' with concomitant impact on income and future job prospects.
Summary of forthcoming Policy and CFI response
As a result of a recent decision by DEASP, but not yet widely known, people who are cocooning (and not ill with Covid-10) will not be entitled to the enhanced Covid-19 illness benefit or the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment once their place of work resumes operations as per the Government's roadmap to reopening business and society.
CFI understands that as things stand, those who choose to continue to cocoon and not return to their workplace will no longer be entitled to the above COVID 19 payments. If they continue to draw down COVID-19 they may be in danger of Government seeking much of this funding back at a future date because of this lack of entitlement The potential loss of income for this group of employees is between 147 and 149 Euro per week. This could quickly mount up to a large debt once the policy comes into force (actual date yet to decided, but could be soon).
The DEASP income support helpline for Covid-19 advises those cocooning should seek certification from their doctor for Illness Benefit (maximum 203 euro per week) or Supplementary Welfare (maximum 201 euro per week) as opposed to the 350 euro per week of the enhanced covid-19 illness benefit.
Cystic Fibrosis Ireland very much hopes that the instruction from DEASP on COVID-19 will change in the light of our concerns and we will let members know the outcomes of our advocacy as soon as possible.