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Granting and disbursement of sickness benefit

Valsts sociālās apdrošināšanas aģentūra

Information updated 09.03.2026.

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The employed, Persons with special needs, Low-income individuals Recipient groups

A sickness benefit shall be granted to an employee or a self-employed person for the period during which the person is unable to perform work and loses income due to illness. • If the insured person becomes ill, the sickness benefit shall be paid starting from the 10th day of illness. • If the incapacity for work is caused by a work-related accident, the sickness benefit shall be paid starting from the 11th day of illness. • If the incapacity for work is caused by an occupational disease, the sickness benefit shall be paid to the employee from the first day of illness. Certain limitations are established regarding the period for which sickness benefits may be paid. If the incapacity for work is continuous, the benefit shall be paid for no longer than 26 weeks starting from the first day of illness. If the State Medical Commission for the Assessment of Health Condition and Working Ability has issued an opinion extending the period of incapacity for work, the sickness benefit may be paid for up to 52 weeks from the first day of illness. If the incapacity for work occurs intermittently, the sickness benefit shall be paid for no longer than 52 weeks within a period of three years. To apply for the benefit, a submission (application) must be submitted to the SSIA, either electronically (via the e-service or in paper form), requesting the granting of a sickness benefit. In order to receive the sickness benefit, the certificate of incapacity for work (sick leave certificate B) must be closed and the application must be submitted to the SSIA. Persons who are ill for a prolonged period should note that the sickness benefit cannot be granted if the certificate of incapacity for work has not been closed. If the incapacity for work is prolonged, the person may request the treating physician to close the existing certificate so that it may be submitted to the SSIA and the benefit may be granted. If the incapacity continues, the physician shall issue a new certificate of incapacity for work as a continuation of the previous one. When paying the sickness benefit, personal income tax shall be withheld from the calculated amount of the benefit. When determining the payable sickness benefit, the SSIA applies the split non-taxable minimum applicable to taxpayers or pensioners, except for recipients of service pensions. Tax allowances for dependants, as well as additional tax relief for persons with disabilities, politically repressed persons, and participants of the national resistance movement, shall also be applied where the person is entitled to such allowances. The amount of the sickness benefit may be estimated using the e-service “SSIA Information and Services – Forecasts and Calculators” available on the portal Latvija.gov.lv.

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