If you have somebody caring for you, they may qualify for a Carer’s Allowance or Carer’s Benefit. You must need full-time care and frequent help with your daily personal needs, such as walking and getting about, dressing or eating and drinking.
Carer’s Allowance is a means-tested payment, but Carer’s Benefit is based on your carer’s record of Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contributions.
If your carer qualifies for Carer’s Allowance, they will also get Electricity or Natural Gas Allowance, Telephone Allowance, a TV licence and free travel for themselves.
Carers who look after more than one person full-time may get an extra 50% of the maximum rate of Carer’s Allowance or Carer’s Benefit each week.
Since September 2007, carers may get half the personal rate of Carer’s Allowance with certain other social welfare payments. They may also get half the personal rate of Carer’s Allowance even if their spouse or partner is claiming an Increase for a Qualified Adult for them on their social welfare payment.
For more details on Carer’s Allowance, see information booklet SW 41.
For Carer’s Benefit, see information booklet SW 49.