Carer's Allowance is a payment to people on low incomes who are looking after a person of any age who needs support because of age, disability or illness.
You cannot get Carer’s Allowance for a child (under 16) unless that child is getting a Domiciliary Care Allowance.
Carer’s Allowance is means tested and taxable.
As of 2020, the rate paid for a person under age 66, caring for 1 person, varies from €219 to €259 / week. If the carer is over the age of 66 a higher rate applies.
To qualify you cannot be engaged in employment, self-employment, training or education courses outside the home for more than 18.5 hours a week.
If you are receiving Carer’s Allowance, you automatically qualify for the Carer's Support Grant.
The Carer’s Support Grant of €1,700 (June 2020) is paid once each year, usually on the first Thursday in June, for each person you are caring for. This grant is NOT taxable.
Full details on rules and rates for Carer’s Allowance available on Citizens Information.
Carer’s Allowance is a taxable source of income and should be advised to your local tax office.
If you qualify for Carer's Allowance you may also qualify for free household benefits (if you are living with the person you are caring for) and for a Free Travel Pass.
The person you are caring for must be:
○ Over the age of 16 and so incapacitated as to require full-time care and attention OR...
○ Aged under 16 and getting a Domiciliary Care Allowance.
When Domiciliary Care Allowance is being paid , you do not need to fill in the medical report when you apply for Carer’s Allowance.
If Domiciliary Care Allowance stops before the child reaches 16 years of age, Carer’s Allowance must also stop.
The means test for Carer's Allowance involves assessing your income (excluding your home). 2020 rules are ...
○ 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 full methodology of assessing means can be found at the following link - DEASP
Half Rate Carer’s Allowance applies in some circumstances - see : Citizens Information
If you are getting Carer's Allowance (or Carer’s Benefit or Domiciliary Care Allowance), you do not need to apply for the Carer's Support Grant. It will be automatically paid to you in June each year.
For full details on rules and rates for Carer’s Allowance link to Citizens Information or DEASP (Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.