Sickness Benefit  represents periodical payments made to an Insured Person for the period of certified sickness after completing nine months in insurable employment.  To qualify for this benefit, contributions should have been payable atleast  seventy eight days in the relevant contribution period.

Sickness Benefit is admissible for 91 days in two consecutive benefit periods. In case of specified long-term diseases, it is extended by 124 days initially and 309 days if needed. This is further extendable up to a maximum period of 330 days (a total of 730 days) in deserving cases.

There is a waiting period of 2 days which is waived if the insured person is certified sick within 15 days of the last spell for which sickness benefit was last paid.

The rate of payment vary from Rs. 14/- to Rs. 195/- per day averaging just above 50 percent of the daily wages.

ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS FOR SICKNESS BENEFIT & EXTENDED SICKNESS BENEFIT

Not less than 78 days contribution in the relevant contribution period for sickness benefit and not less than 156 days contribution in 4 relevant contribution periods and eligibility for sickness benefit at least in one of these contribution periods and two years of service are essential eligibility conditions for Extended Sickness Benefit.

ENHANCED SICKNESS BENEFIT

It is admissible for sterilization operation. Duration is 14 days in case of Tubectomy Operation (extendable by another 7 days on medical advice) and 7 days in case of Vasectomy. Eligibility conditions are same as for sickness benefit mentioned above. The rate approximately equals full wages.