One of the main limitations of Sickness benefit is that the benefit is restricted to 91 days in a period of two successive benefit periods. As all sickness will not be cured within 91 days and some diseases will extend beyond this and may disturb us continuously even beyond one year. Extended Sickness Benefit (ESB) is framed to overcome this situation.
The Benefit is initially applicable to a list of 34 diseases. The ESB starts after the expiry of the 91 days of SB and initially it will be paid for 124 days and then upto 309 days in case of chronic disease. If the competent authority recommended the same and to a maximum of 631 days in making the total days of benefit to 730 including the first 91 days of SB if the medical board recommend for it.
The rate of benefit is 90% of the average daily wage. In otherwords, the leave salary will be 80% of the average daily wage earned in the corresponding contribution period.