Social Security Board (21.07.2020) Effective March 28, 2020 the qualifying condition that a person must be employed upon becoming ill has been suspended. This means persons who, as of March 1, 2020, became unemployed, suspended, placed on leave without pay or ceased self-employed may still qualify for sickness benefit.
The following qualifying conditions apply:
1. The person is sick due to Covid-19;
2. Have 50 weekly paid contributions since 1981;
3. Have no less than 5 paid contributions in the 13 weeks immediately before the last week of employment or self-employment.
4. Self-employed persons must have contributions paid for the month immediately before the last month of ceased operations.
Effective March 28, 2020 the qualifying condition for sickness benefit that a person must be employed upon becoming ill has been suspended. This means persons who, as of March 1, 2020, became unemployed, suspended, placed on leave without pay or ceased self-employed may still qualify for sickness benefit provided that the qualifying conditions are met.