Sickness and sickness benefit

Are you entitled to sick pay?

In many cases, artists who fall ill do not explore the possibilities of receiving sickness benefits during the period of illness.

Not everyone is entitled to it, as there are a number of requirements to fulfil, but many are.

The requirements differ depending on how the individual artist works and organises themselves, i.e. whether they are employed, self-employed, unemployed or a combination of several things.

Employee/employee

As an employee, you must remember to report illness to your employer in the manner agreed between employer and employee.

It varies whether or not an employee is entitled to full pay during illness. Alternatively, an employee may be entitled to sick pay from the employer or from the municipality of residence.

There are some requirements that must be met in this regard, such as being in employment on the day the illness begins. Read more about all the requirements here: Sickness benefit if you are an employee

If you are unsure about your rights during illness, contact the union and we will help you.

Unoccupied

If you are a member of an unemployment insurance fund, unemployed and receiving unemployment benefits, you can log in to jobnet.dk and report sick. Read more at Jobnet.dk

If you receive unemployment benefit, you are also entitled to sickness benefit.

Self-employed with or without CVR no.

Self-employed people with a cvr.nr who fall ill can in many cases receive sickness benefit. However, not before 14 days after the onset of the illness, unless the self-employed person has taken out health insurance. Read about that insurance here: Introduction - Sickness benefit insurance | Virk

The requirements for receiving sickness benefits as a self-employed person are described here: Sickness benefits if you are self-employed

A self-employed person with a company registration number must apply for sickness benefit themselves, this is done here: Special for self-employed - NemRefusion - Reimbursement of sickness benefit | Virk

Self-employed people without a CVR number cannot apply digitally in the same way as those with a CVR number. In this case, a form must be used, which can be obtained from the municipality.

Combiners - both self-employed and employees etc.

Many artists and performers have multiple sources of income and different types of jobs and work of varying duration. This complicates the path to sickness benefits and often means that only part of the loss of income experienced during a period of illness is eligible for sickness benefits.

Requirements and rights can be different in all job relationships and it typically requires a closer look to see if - or what - you may be entitled to during illness. In terms of entitlement to sickness benefits, it is advantageous not to combine, but at least have the main emphasis of your activities as either self-employed or as an employee.

In general

Sickness benefit is a maximum of DKK 4,695 per week before tax, but can also be lower.

A good rule of thumb for everyone is that sickness benefit is given as compensation for a current "loss" of income during illness and requires that you are currently employed or receiving unemployment benefits from the unemployment insurance fund.

However, you can't simply get compensation for a cancelled gig, for example, but must instead examine whether your overall working life gives rise to the right to apply for and obtain sickness benefit in connection with illness.

Get guidance from us

Contact us, we advise all members who have questions or need help with sick leave issues.
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Social scholarship

Dansk Artist Forbund has established a small and extraordinary social grant that can help with sudden personal problems, such as illness that makes it impossible to cover basic expenses such as rent, heating and food.

Read more about the scholarship