Unemployed people who have already paid social security contributions may be eligible for sickness benefits. This is possible provided certain criteria are met. Want to know what these are and how to apply for the benefit? Then follow the guidelines below to secure temporary disability benefits.
Brazilians' concerns have grown amid unemployment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic over the past two years. What many people don't know is that unemployed workers may also be eligible for sick pay.
Sickness and unemployment benefits
First of all, it's important to understand the law. To be eligible for the benefit, you must be totally or temporarily disabled, have at least 12 months of disability, and be insured.
In other words, unemployed women can receive sick pay while still on maternity leave. This means that the person is still considered insured, even if they are no longer contributing to the National Institute of Social Security (INSS) at that time.
Once the employment relationship ends, the citizen has a grace period of up to 12 months. Another interesting point guaranteed by law is in cases where the individual has 120 or more uninterrupted contributions, as the grace period increases to 24 months in these contexts.
For this reason, the law also grants eligibility for sickness benefits to the unemployed, provided they meet the required requirements. It should also be remembered that incapacity for work cannot be simply claimed. It must be confirmed by a medical report from the INSS (National Institute of Social Security).
Another way for individuals to ensure their eligibility for benefits is to opt for the option to continue collecting benefits. Unemployed individuals should apply for sickness benefits as soon as they are examined and their temporary inability to work is proven.
If the INSS denies the request, the citizen has the right to challenge the Institute's decision. This can be done by filing an administrative complaint with the INSS itself or through legal action.
