Sick Leave Benefits INSS 2025: Rules, Values, Requirements
Complete guide to INSS sick leave benefits in 2025: who qualifies, benefit amounts from R$ 1,412 to R$ 7,786.02, required documents, and application steps.
Sick leave benefits are among the most requested benefits from INSS (social security), offering financial protection for workers who are temporarily incapacitated. In 2025, the rules maintain important characteristics, but the amounts follow minimum wage adjustments.
This benefit guarantees monthly income for those who cannot work due to health reasons for more than 15 consecutive days. Starting from the 16th day of absence, INSS takes over the payments.
INSS Sick Leave Benefits 2025
What are sick leave benefits
Sick leave benefits are temporary social security benefits paid by INSS to insured individuals who are incapacitated for work. They replace salary during the medical recovery period.
The benefit has a determined duration, being periodically reassessed through medical examinations. When the incapacity is permanent, it can be converted to disability retirement.
Who is eligible
To be eligible for sick leave benefits in 2025, the insured must meet some basic requirements:
- Insured status: be contributing or in grace period
- Minimum contribution period: 12 monthly contributions (except in accident cases)
- Temporary incapacity: proven by INSS medical examination
- Absence longer than 15 days: for employees with signed work contracts
Example: Worker with a signed contract for 18 months who suffers a domestic accident and is unable to work for 45 days is entitled to the benefit.
Special cases without contribution period
Some situations waive the 12-month contribution requirement:
- Work accidents or accidents of any nature
- Occupational or work-related diseases
- Serious diseases specified by law (cancer, AIDS, etc.)
Benefit Amount
How it’s calculated
The sick leave benefit amount corresponds to 91% of the benefit salary. This percentage is fixed and doesn’t vary according to contribution time.
The calculation base considers the simple arithmetic average of the highest contributions, discarding the lowest 20%. The calculation follows the rules of Constitutional Amendment 103/2019 (New Social Security).
Benefit salary
The benefit salary is calculated considering 100% of contributions since July 1994. INSS applies the following methodology:
- Correction of all contributions for inflation
- Discard of the lowest 20% of contributions
- Arithmetic average of remaining contributions
- Application of the 91% coefficient
Example: Insured with benefit salary of R$ 4,000 will receive sick leave benefits of R$ 3,640 (91% of R$ 4,000).
Minimum and maximum amounts
Sick leave benefits have established limits for 2025:
| Situation | Amount |
|---|---|
| Minimum amount | R$ 1,412.00 (minimum wage) |
| Maximum amount | R$ 7,786.02 (INSS ceiling) |
| Calculation base | 91% of benefit salary |
Even if the calculation results in an amount lower than minimum wage, the beneficiary will always receive at least R$ 1,412.00.
Rules for Receipt
Required contribution period
The standard contribution period is 12 monthly contributions. These don’t need to be consecutive, but must be within the insured’s activity period.
For special insured (family farmers), the contribution period is proven through rural activity practice for at least 12 months.
Required documents
Applying for sick leave benefits requires specific documentation:
- Photo identification document
- CPF (taxpayer ID)
- Work card or documents proving contribution
- Medical certificates with disease ICD code
- Complementary medical exams
- Detailed medical report
Use our sick leave benefit calculator to estimate your benefit before applying.
Mandatory medical examination
All cases go through INSS medical examination evaluation. The examiner evaluates:
- Incapacity for usual activity
- Probable duration of absence
- Need for professional rehabilitation
- Possibility of returning to work
How to Apply
Scheduling and medical examination
The application process in 2025 follows mandatory steps:
- Scheduling: through Meu INSS website or app
- Documentation: gather all medical documents
- Medical examination: mandatory attendance on scheduled date
- Analysis: medical and document evaluation
Online scheduling is the fastest and safest way. The app allows tracking the process progress.
Important deadlines
Some critical deadlines must be observed:
- 15 days: maximum deadline for scheduling examination
- 30 days: deadline for response after approval
- 60 days: deadline for appeal in case of denial
- Maximum 45 days: for INSS analysis completion
Important: Delay in scheduling may harm retroactive benefit receipt.
Calculation Examples
Scenario 1: Average salary
Worker with contribution history:
- Contribution time: 15 years
- Benefit salary: R$ 3,200.00
- Calculation: R$ 3,200 × 91% = R$ 2,912.00
Scenario 2: Low salary
Contributor with lower income:
- Contribution time: 8 years
- Benefit salary: R$ 1,200.00
- Initial calculation: R$ 1,200 × 91% = R$ 1,092.00
- Final amount: R$ 1,412.00 (minimum applied)
Scenario 3: High salary
Executive with high compensation:
- Contribution time: 20 years
- Benefit salary: R$ 9,000.00
- Initial calculation: R$ 9,000 × 91% = R$ 8,190.00
- Final amount: R$ 7,786.02 (limited to ceiling)
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for sick leave benefits to be approved?
INSS has up to 45 days to analyze the request after medical examination. In practice, most cases are resolved within 15 to 30 days. More complex cases may take the maximum deadline.
Do sick leave benefit recipients get 13th salary?
Yes, sick leave benefit recipients receive 13th salary proportional to months of receipt. The amount is calculated by dividing the monthly benefit by 12 and multiplying by months received in the year.
Is it possible to work while receiving sick leave benefits?
It’s not allowed to work while receiving sick leave benefits. The benefit is intended for those who are temporarily incapacitated. Working during receipt may result in value repayment and administrative proceedings.
Are sick leave benefits subject to income tax and INSS discounts?
Sick leave benefits are not subject to Income Tax or social security contribution discounts. The amount paid is net, unlike salaries that have mandatory discounts.
How does sick leave benefit extension work?
Extension occurs through new medical examination before expiration. The insured must schedule reassessment in advance. If incapacity persists, the benefit is renewed for a new period.
What happens if the examination denies sick leave benefits?
In case of denial, the insured can file an appeal within 60 days. It’s possible to add new medical documents and request new evaluation. The appeal is analyzed by a different medical board.
Do sick leave benefits count toward retirement time?
Yes, the period of receiving sick leave benefits counts as contribution time for retirement purposes. INSS automatically considers this time in future benefit calculations.