Carers Payments
Carers Allowance Payment
The Carer's Allowance is a payment for carers on low incomes who look after people in need of full-time care and attention.
If you satisfy a means test, and are caring full-time for someone who needs constant care and attention, then you may be entitled to
a Carer's Allowance from the Department of Social and Family Affairs.
For more information contact your local centre or Freephone National Care Line on 1800 24 07 24 or visit
Department of Social and Family Affairs
Carers Allowance Rates (from January 2011)
Maximum weekly rate for people aged 66 and over receive €239 per week.
Maximum Weekly rate for people aged under 66 receive €204 per week.
Download Application Form for Carers Allowance (PDF)
Carers Benefit Payment
Carer's Benefit is a payment made to employees who have paid adequate social insurance, but who leave the
workforce to care for a person(s) in need of full-time care and attention.
Carers Benefit Rate (from January 2011)
Maximum weekly payment for Carer's Benefit is €213 per week.
Maximum Weekly rate for people aged under 66 receive €205 per week.
Family Carers claiming Carers Benefit are allowed to work up to 15 hours per week and still claim their Allowance.
Download Application Form for Carers Benefit (PDF)
For more information contact your local centre or Freephone National Care Line on 1800 24 07 24 or visit
Department of Social and Family Affairs
Application forms are to be returned to the Department of Social and Family Affairs:
Social Welfare Services Office
Government Buildings
Ballinalee Road
Longford
Tel:(043) 334 0000
Locall:1890 927 770
Respite Care Grant
The Respite Care Grant is an annual payment made to carers by the Department of Social and Family Affairs (DSFA) in Ireland.
In June of each year, the Department of Social and Family Affairs pays the grant automatically to carers getting Carers Allowance,
Carers Benefit, Prescribed Relative's Allowance or Domiciliary Care Allowance from the Department. Only one Repite Care Grant can
be paid for each person getting care.
A Respite Care Grant of €1,700 (June 2011) is paid once each year, usually in June, for each person you are caring for. It is not taxable.
If you are getting Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit, Prescribed Relative's Allowance or Domiciliary Care Allowance from the
Department of Social and Family Affairs, you do not need to apply for the Respite Care Grant. It will be automatically paid to you in June.
If you are getting Domiciliary Care Allowance from the Health Service Executive (HSE), the HSE will automatically pay you the grant.
From 2010, all Respite Care Grants will be paid by the Department of Social and Family Affairs.
Download Application form for Respite Care Grant (PDF)
For more information contact your local centre or Freephone National Care Line on 1800 24 07 24 or visit Department of Social and Family Affairs
