The Carers Allowance is a payment for carers on low incomes who look after certain people, usually Older People, who need full-time care and attention. It should not be confused with the Carer’s Benefit, which is a payment made to insured persons who leave the workforce temporarily in order to care for a person.
In order to qualify for a Carer’s Allowance, you must:
- Be over 18 years’ of age
- Satisfy a means test
- Live with, or be in a position to provide full-time care and attention to the person(s) in need of care
- Live in the Republic of Ireland
- Not be living in a hospital, convalescent home or other similar institution.
Requiring full-time care and attention means that the person being carer for requires continuous supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with Activities of Daily Living. For example, they require help to walk and get about, eat or drink, wash, bathe, dress and so on. This full-time care and attention must be likely to last for at least 12 months.
The amount you might get from the Carer’s Allowance depends on your income. From March 2017, if you are single, €332.50 of your gross weekly income is not taken into account (or disregarded). If you are married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting the first €665 of your combined gross weekly income is disregarded. PRSI, union dues, superannuation (pension contributions) and travel expenses are also deducted. For a couple, the combined gross weekly balance is then halved to give the carer’s weekly means.
The Carer’s Allowance rates from march 2017 are as follows:
The Carer’s Allowance Application form can be downloaded here: application form.
You can then apply to:
Department of Social Protection
Carers Allowance Section
Social Welfare Services Office
Government Buildings
Ballinalee Road
Longford
Ireland
Tel:(043) 334 0000
Locall:1890 92 77 70
Email: carersallowance@welfare.ie