Self-isolation, incapacity for work, and sickness benefits: everything you need to know

The possibility of obtaining a certificate of incapacity for work for adult isolation appeared shortly after quarantine was introduced in Lithuania on March 16.

The Ministry of Social Security and Labor has announced that if a person has returned from a foreign country or has been in contact with a new person with or is suspected of being infected with a coronavirus, they can be issued a certificate of disability for 14 days calendar for an incubation period.

“However, the inability to work is issued only if the person does not have the opportunity to work remotely and no work downtime has been declared,” the March 23 press release said.

It is stated that the certificate of incapacity for work can be issued for 14 days and can be obtained with 62.06%. sickness benefit in exchange for paper remuneration.

To obtain such a certificate of incapacity for work, you must contact your family doctor remotely and complete a special form from the National Center for Public Health (NVSC), which can be found here.

The order has changed

On July 22, this order was slightly modified. Since then, if a person already knows that they will have to be isolated when they go to a foreign country, they must be isolated when they return.

“We want to encourage Lithuanians to choose their holiday destinations responsibly and more strictly. We hope to anticipate potential abuse when people leave for a country that is already on the list of countries affected by coronavirus infection during the Christmas season, and when they return, the holidays “continue” with a certificate of disability and sickness benefit. “explained Eglė Radišauskienė, Deputy Minister of Social Security and Labor.

The countries from which it is necessary to isolate yourself upon return can be identified on a map prepared by the Ministry of Social Affairs.

From August 10 to August 16, there were 100 states or territories on the list. The list of affected countries is updated weekly, taking into account epidemiological indicators in foreign countries. Those affected are those countries where the incidence rate of coronavirus in the last 14 days is higher than 25 cases per 100,000. population.

However, those who have traveled to these countries, knowing already that they are on the list, are exempt if they travel for business, service or work. Such persons may continue to isolate themselves upon return upon receipt of a certificate of inability to work.

Amounts of sickness benefits

If there is no downtime at the workplace of a person returning from a virus-affected country or in contact with the patient, or if they do not have the opportunity to work remotely, they should contact the NVSC ( tel. +370 618 79984).

The GP receiving the referral issues a certificate of incapacity for work. The employer (all employers if they work in more than one job) must be informed.

According to the general procedure, during the first two days, the employer pays the sickness benefit out of its own funds and it can range from 62.06% to 100%. the average salary of the beneficiary, as chosen by the employer.

From the third day of illness 62.06 percent. the benefit in the amount of the beneficiary’s compensatory salary is paid by Sodra.

The amount of your sickness benefit can be found on a special calculator.

It is important to remember that to receive Sodra sickness benefit, you must apply. Once submitted, sickness benefit will be automatically awarded at a later date. The application can be submitted directly online or upon arrival at the Sodra branch. Sickness benefit can be claimed no later than 12 months after the end of the illness.

Sickness benefit is also paid if a person’s child’s preschool or primary educational institution has a regime that restricts the spread of infections. In this case, the benefit is paid for a maximum of 14 calendar days.

Sickness benefit is available to people who have had at least 3 months of sickness insurance during the first 12 months or 6 months in the last 24 months on the first day of sickness.

In the third quarter of 2020, the minimum monthly sickness benefit amounts of EUR 159.49 and the maximum amount of EUR 1,700.69 apply.

The sickness benefit is transferred to the personal account specified in the application and is paid within 7 working days from the date of the decision on its payment.

According to Sodra, in the first half of 2020, 279.2 million sickness benefits were paid. EUR, that is and. 112.4 million more than during the same period in 2019.

Saulius Jarmalis, head of Sodra’s communication department, told Delfi that 115 million euros had been paid specifically due to the epidemic situation (mainly to parents caring for children whose educational institutions were closed due to quarantine). sickness benefits in euros.

Overseen by Sodra

As of July 22, the doctor records in medical documents not only the fact, date and time of contact with a personal care institution, but also the foreign country to which the person has gone, the reason for the trip and the exact period you have been abroad.

If it turns out that a person has traveled to a listed country affected by a coronavirus for tourist or other reasons not related to a profession, service or work, a certificate of incapacity for work will not be issued.

In this case, the employee can receive a medical certificate justifying the absence from work and the employee can be isolated by taking an annual leave or without pay.

“It is very important that the person, when communicating with the family doctor, accurately and unambiguously inform the doctor about the place, date and purpose of the departure stay, as well as take all necessary measures to receive the referral from the NVSC and confirm that they do not have access to teleworking and that the employer did not declare it downtime, ”emphasizes the SADM report.

Sodra controls the purpose of the stay and the specific period.

As S. Jarmalis told Delfi, the control is carried out in a systematic way, using risk management software and responding to reports from the public or other institutions.

“If there are reasonable doubts about the purpose of the trip of a person who has been issued a certificate of disability upon returning from abroad, Sodra has the right to contact the employer and receive information and evidence that the person went abroad for work or service reasons.

The specific period of self-isolation is determined in each specific case by the NVSC specialists, and the doctor, if the person does not have access to teleworking or the employer has not declared the downtime, must clarify the purpose of leaving Lithuania, the date departure and return and other circumstances that justify He said.

S. Jarmalis also noted that certificates of inability to work due to contact with a person with a coronavirus or possible infection can also be issued only after the NVSC specialist has clarified the circumstances of the contact and the person has been required is isolated and referred to a family doctor.

“Sodra relies on the competence of NVCS,” added the interlocutor.