In the event of a sudden illness, a person may need to gather information about their right to financial support. This is particularly important in the event of a prolonged illness. Rights may differ depending on whether a person is employed, studying, self-employed, or not a part of the workforce.
When illness occurs, it is important to neither quit nor resign.
1. Everyone is entitled to a certain amount of sick leave from their employer: To start with, one should finish whatever sick leave they are entitled to. To get more information about the status of sick leave rights, contact human resource management or payroll.
Documents that need to be submitted: Employer’s certificate from a doctor.
Often, this certificate can be requested from “mínar síður” at helisuvera.is
Log in with an electronic ID, go to “messages” - “new message” - pick a subject “Certificate - Employer and School Certificate,” then fill in the appropriate information requested.
2. Rights to sick leave with a union and Iceland Health: When you have used up all your sick leave with your employer, the next step is to go to the union and apply for union sponsored sick leave. Different unions offer different compensation – check with your union to see what rights you have. At the same time, you can apply for sick leave allowance. It is also possible to apply for sick leave allowance from Iceland Health (Sjúkratryggingar Íslands).
It may be possible for the patient’s spouse to apply for payments from their union's Sick Pay Fund if the illness results in the spouse having to take time off from work.
Documents that need to be submitted:
- Medical Certificate, confirming partner’s illness
- Sickness Allowance Certificate
Please make sure that the certificate dates are set in advance, if possible, otherwise the certificate is only valid for a month.
3. Rehabilitation pension/Disability:
Can be applied for from the Social Insurance Administration (Tryggingastofnun Ríkisins) and from general pension funds (disability pension, private property savings, sickness insurance). Check your rights with TR and your pensions funds/insurance companies, pension funds and insurance companies.
You can get a rehabilitation pension for up to 5 years, start with 12-18 months and then reassess whether there is a need for continued rehabilitation or whether rehabilitation is feasible.
Generally, rehabilitation must be fully experienced before you can apply for a disability pension.
1. Rights to sick leave with a union and Iceland Health:
When you have used up all your sick leave with your employer, the next step is to go to the union and apply for union sponsored sick leave.
Different unions offer different compensation – check with your union to see what rights you have. At the same time, you can apply for sick leave allowance. It is also possible to apply for sick leave allowance from Iceland Health (Sjúkratryggingar Íslands)
- It may be possible for the patient’s spouse to apply for payments from their union's Sick Pay Fund if the illness results in the spouse having to take time off from work.
Documents that need to be submitted:
- Medical Certificate, confirming partner’s illness
- Sickness Allowance Certificate
Please make sure that the certificate dates are set in advance, if possible, otherwise the certificate is only valid for a month.
2. Rehabilitation pension/Disability:
Can be applied for from the Social Insurance Administration (Tryggingastofnun Ríkisins) and from general pension funds (disability pension, private property savings, sickness insurance). Check your rights with TR and your pension funds and/or insurance companies, pension funds and insurance companies.
You can get a rehabilitation pension for up to 5 years, start with 12-18 months and then reassess whether there is a need for continued rehabilitation or whether rehabilitation is feasible.
Generally, rehabilitation must be fully experienced before you can apply for a disability pension.
3. Icelandic Association of Local Authorities: When rights are fully used or not available. Investigate eligibility for financial assistance and in-home services that may be helpful, such as help with cleaning, shopping, and more. Get an interview with a social worker at a service center in your municipality.
Note that you need to apply for most of the social rights mentioned above.