(1) Notwithstanding section 44, where in any period of interruption of employment a person, having satisfied the contribution conditions contained in section 41 by virtue of having paid optional contributions, has been entitled to illness benefit for 312 days, he or she shall not be entitled to that benefit for any subsequent day of incapacity for work unless before that day the person has requalified for benefit in accordance with subsection (2).

(2) Where a person to whom subsection (1) applies has paid optional contributions in the contribution year following the benefit year which includes that 312th day, he or she shall requalify for illness  benefit in the benefit year after the contribution year in respect of which those optional contributions have been paid.