Occupational Injury Benefit Ireland 2026 — Injured at Work? Payment Starts Day One
Occupational Injury Benefit in Ireland
If you are injured at work or develop a work-related disease, you are entitled to Occupational Injury Benefit. The main payment — Injury Benefit — is €242 per week and starts from day one, with no 3-day waiting period. No minimum PRSI contributions are required.
Occupational Injury Benefit — At a glance
- Injury Benefit rate
- €242 per week
- Waiting days
- None — paid from day 1
- PRSI contributions needed
- None
- Application form
- OB1 — from gov.ie or your Intreo Centre
Key facts — Occupational Injury Benefit 2026
What payments are available under Occupational Injury Benefit?
Occupational Injury Benefit is a group of several separate payments, each covering a different aspect of a workplace injury or occupational disease:
- Injury Benefit — €242/week for up to 26 weeks if you cannot work due to a work-related injury or disease
- Disablement Benefit — ongoing payment if the injury causes permanent disability (paid as lump sum or weekly pension depending on degree of disablement)
- Incapacity Supplement — top-up if your Disablement Benefit is 50% or over and you cannot work
- Medical Care Benefit — covers certain treatment costs (physiotherapy, appliances) not covered by your medical card
- Death Benefit — for widowed spouses and dependent children if a worker dies from a workplace accident or occupational disease
Who qualifies for Injury Benefit?
- You are employed (paying PRSI — even from day one of employment)
- You suffered an injury at work, while travelling to/from work, or due to an industrial disease
- You are unable to work as a result of the injury
- You are under pension age
Injury Benefit vs Illness Benefit
| Feature | Injury Benefit | Illness Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Rate (2026) | €242/week | €242/week |
| Waiting days | None (Day 1) | 3-day waiting period |
| PRSI contributions needed | None | Yes (at least 39 in past year) |
| Cause | Work-related only | Any illness or injury |
| Maximum duration | 26 weeks | 2 years |
How to claim Occupational Injury Benefit
- Report the injury immediately
Tell your employer as soon as the accident happens. Your employer should record it in the accident book. This documentation is important for your claim.
- Get a medical certificate
Visit your GP and get a certificate of incapacity for work (often called a "sick cert"). Your doctor may need to note that the injury is work-related.
- Complete form OB1
Download form OB1 from gov.ie or your local Intreo Centre. Submit it along with your medical certificate to the Occupational Injuries Benefit Branch, DSP.
- Continue to submit certs
Send medical certificates every week or as directed. The payment is made directly to your bank account.
Frequently asked questions
What is Occupational Injury Benefit?
A group of payments for workers injured at work or who develop a work-related disease. The main payment is Injury Benefit at €242/week from day 1, with no minimum PRSI contributions required.
How much is Injury Benefit in 2026?
€242 per week — the same rate as Illness Benefit but with no 3-day waiting period. It can be paid for up to 26 weeks.
Do I need PRSI contributions to claim?
No. This is one of the few payments with no minimum PRSI record. Even a new employee injured on their first day qualifies if they are paying PRSI.
What if my injury causes permanent disability?
You can claim Disablement Benefit, which is based on the percentage of disability and can be paid for life for permanent conditions.
What counts as a workplace injury?
Any accident at your place of work, while travelling directly to or from work, or while working off-site. Industrial diseases listed by DSP also qualify.
Can I claim alongside other payments?
Injury Benefit cannot be paid at the same time as Illness Benefit. However, Disablement Benefit can be received alongside many other payments, including employment earnings.
- No minimum PRSI record is needed — even a worker on their first day of employment qualifies if injured at work
- Payment starts from day one — unlike standard Illness Benefit, there is no 3-day waiting period
- Injury Benefit only lasts 26 weeks — if you cannot return to work after 26 weeks, you must apply for Illness Benefit or Invalidity Pension separately
- Disablement Benefit can be received even if you return to work — it compensates for permanent disability, not ongoing incapacity
This page was reviewed against official Irish government guidance and updated to reflect 2026 Occupational Injury Benefit rates and eligibility rules.