4,000 people out sick with long Covid is 'the tip of the iceberg'

Almost 4,000 people have received illness benefit for long Covid. The 643,315 claims for EIB by June 24 suggest that some who claimed it tried to go back to work after their illness but had to go off sick again. Stock picture

Almost 4,000 people have received illness benefit for long Covid, having received Covid-related enhanced benefit for at least 10 weeks prior, new figures show.

Illness benefit is paid in varying amounts to private and self-employed workers based on PRSI stamps for up to two years.