If you’re on medical leave, here’s what you need to know before September 1

If you are on medical leave, there is an important change that you should be aware of as of September 1. The Social Security has informed that «communications and notifications related to temporary disability benefits will be made by electronic means through its Electronic Office (SEDESS)«. This means that you will have to keep an eye on this channel so as not to let any warning pass through.

The novelty does not change the way a medical leave begins, but it does change how the Social Security can subsequently communicate certain decisions related to that leave or a disability. The Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) therefore recommends «checking contact details, having a digital identification system and reviewing notifications». There is another particularly important piece of information: when a notification is available, «there will be 10 days to access it«. If this period has elapsed without doing so, it will be understood that the communication has not been attended to and the corresponding deadlines will begin to count.

The change will also apply when the communication or notification relates to permanent disability benefits or permanent non-disabling injuries. The measure is included in Order ISM/541/2026, of 27 May, published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) on 1 June.

Until now, this obligation already applied, among other groups, to those who request or receive benefits for birth and care of a minor, risk during pregnancy and risk during breastfeeding.

THIS IS HOW THE SOCIAL SECURITY NOTICE WILL ARRIVE

The Social Security will notify the electronic device that the person has previously provided when an electronic communication or notification is available. That notice will include the link to access it. The Administration justifies this measure because the people affected are part of the work or professional environment, where it considers that «the use of electronic devices is widespread».

The modification seeks to streamline procedures and avoid incidents linked to postal notifications.

The regulation also contemplates the cases in which the temporary disability benefit must continue to be paid until the medical discharge or the denial of permanent disability is notified. As the order explains, «postal mail delays may cause the beneficiary to continue to be paid for a few days even if the clinical or health reasons that justified the benefit no longer exist».

CARDS DON’T DISAPPEAR COMPLETELY

Social Security will not stop sending letters completely from September. The electronic route will become the usual one in these procedures, but the regulation maintains situations in which communications may be made by other means.

For example, if the Social Security does not have a mobile phone or an email address to notify the interested party, it may use non-electronic means.

The Administration may also use non-electronic means in other cases: if the interested party or his representative goes to an office and asks to receive the notification there, if direct delivery by a public employee is necessary or if the administrative action requires immediate communication.

WHAT IF I DON’T MANAGE WITH THE INTERNET?

Anyone who has difficulty carrying out electronic procedures can request help at the Social Security Service and Information Centres. There they will be able to receive face-to-face assistance to use electronic means and a public official will be able to validly access the SEDESS.

In addition, the offices of the National Social Security Institute allow you to process, without the need for an appointment, the issuance of the digital certificate or Permanent Cl@ve that facilitates access to these communications.

WHAT THE OCU RECOMMENDS

The OCU recommends that those who have a sick leave or disability in progress check that the Social Security has their mobile phone and email updated. It also advises having a digital identification system, such as permanent or mobile Cl@ve, electronic ID card or digital certificate, and periodically reviewing notifications in the Electronic Office.

BEWARE OF FAKE SMS

Social Security can send SMS to warn of a notification, but extreme caution should be exercised. Fraudulent SMS messages are circulating that imitate Social Security and direct to fake pages to obtain personal or bank details. Therefore, the recommendation is not to carry out the procedure from the link received by SMS.

In the event of a notification, the OCU recommends not clicking on the link received by SMS and accessing the Social Security Electronic Office or Importass directly to check if there is any pending notification.