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Carer's Benefit

What is Carer's Benefit?

Carer's Benefit is a payment for insured people who might have to leave their job or reduce their work hours to care for a person (or multiple people) in need of full-time care.

How to Qualify for Carer’s Benefit:

  • You are 16 or over
  • You are or will be caring for a person who needs full-time care and who does not live in a hospital, convalescent home, or similar institution
  • You have been employed for at least 8 weeks in the previous 26-week period for at least 16 hours per week or 32 hours per fortnight (this condition doesn't have to be met if you were receiving Carer’s Benefit in the previous 26 weeks)
  • You don't engage in employment, self-employment, voluntary work, training, or education courses totaling more than 18.5 hours a week
  • You earn €350 or less a week after taxes
  • You meet the social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions
  • You don't live in a hospital, convalescent home, or similar institution

    • Social Insurance (PRSI) Contribution Conditions:

    To claim Carer’s Benefit for the first time, you must have paid at least 156 PRSI contributions since you first started working. In addition, you must have:

  • 39 PRSI contributions paid in the relevant tax year, or
  • 39 PRSI contributions paid in the 12 months immediately before your Carer’s Benefit claim starts, or
  • 26 PRSI contributions paid in the relevant tax year and 26 PRSI contributions paid in the previous relevant tax year

    • Only Class A, B, C, D, H, and E contributions count towards Carer's Benefit. Class S (self-employed contributions) do not count.

    Rates of Payment:

    The Carer’s Benefit is €249 a week for one care recipient.

    If two or more people, you might receive a higher rate of €373.50 a week.

    If you have child dependents, you may be able to apply for an Increase for a Qualified Child.

    You can receive it for up to 104 weeks (2 years) for each person you care for. If you're caring for more than one person, you may receive a payment for 104 weeks for each person you care for, which could result in overlapping care periods.

    How to Apply:

    You should apply for Carer’s Benefit at least 6 weeks before you plan to leave work.

  • Fill in the Carer's Benefit Application Form (CARB1) form.

    • and

  • Include a doctor’s medical report;
    must be signed by the person you will be caring for.

    • Note: You do not need a medical report if you are caring for a child receiving Domiciliary Care Allowance.

    Please return your completed application form and relevant supporting documents to:

    Carer's Benefit Section
    Address: Social Welfare Services Office,
    Government Buildings
    Ballinalee Road,
    Longford,
    Co. Longford,
    N39 E4E0

    Website: www.gov.ie/CARB
    Email: Carersbenefit@welfare.ie
    Phone number: 0818 927770 or +353 4 33340000