The Danish Sickness Benefits Act - Section 56 agreements

Section 56 agreements
If you suffer from a long-term or chronic illness which means that your risk of absence is substantially increased, you can apply to enter into a Section 56 agreement. A section 56 agreement is granted by the municipality and means that DTU receives a sickness benefit reimbursement from the first day of sick leave as a result of the medical condition. A Section 56 agreement thus exempts DTU from all benefit expenses resulting from the illness comprised by the agreement.

The condition for DTU can receive a sickness benefit reimbursement is, that the sickness absence has to be more than 4 hours per week. Even though the § 56 agreement entails sickness benefit reimbursement from the first day of sick.

A Section 56 agreement can be entered into when your own risk of illness is significantly increased due to a long-term and/or chronic illness such that the illness is estimated to result in at least 10 days of absence in one year.

If hospitalization or outpatient care are required, you can also apply to enter into a Section 56 agreement. Your hospitalization or treatment must, however, be determined prior to commencing employment. Thus, an imminent operation must not prevent DTU from hiring an employee.

A Section 56 agreement may also be entered into if you are about to begin a treatment programme or to be hospitalized, and where DTU during your employment has already received sickness benefit reimbursement for 21 days within the past 12 months for the same illness.

The 21 calendar days need not be consecutive. Days of partial absence due to illness with reduced benefits count as full days.

The agreement may be concluded even if hospitalization/treatment takes place at treatment facilities other than hospitals.

An approved Section 56 agreement also comprises reimbursement of benefits paid in connection with post-treatment, check-ups and necessary convalescence.

The agreement must be made in writing using form dp 211 and must be approved by the employee’s municipality of residence. The right of reimbursement is effective from the date the agreement is concluded.

A Section 56 agreement is valid for up to two years at a time and only covers absence due to the illness(es) stated on form dp 211.