Carer’s Allowance is a means tested payment to people living in Ireland who are looking after someone who is in need of support because of age, physical or learning disability or illness, including mental illness. The person being cared for must need full-time care and attention.

You may qualify for Carer’s Allowance if you meet the following requirements:

• you are 18 or over
• you live with or can provide full-time care and attention to a person who needs care.
• you are not working, self-employed, or on a training or education course for more than 18.5 hours a week.
• you are habitually resident in the Irish State
• satisfy a means test for the Carer’s Allowance
• you do not live in a hospital, convalescent home or other similar institution

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

If you qualify for Carers Allowance, you may also be entitled to a Free Household Benefits Package and free travel as well as an annual Carer’s Support Grant paid each year in June.  You may also get credited social insurance contributions (PRSI).

You can apply here for Carer’s Allowance or get a CR1 form at your local Social Welfare branch office, Intreo Centre or Citizens Information Centre.

You can contact Carer’s Allowance Section at Social Welfare Services Office, Government Buildings, Ballinalee Road, Longford, Co. Longford, N39 E4E0.  Email Carersallowance@welfare.ie  or Tel +353 43 334 0000 or 0818 927 770

Cross-border issues

If you move to Northern Ireland, you will no longer be eligible for Carer’s Allowance – this benefit is based on residency so it cannot be exported across the border.

See also:

• Citizens Information – Carer’s Allowance
• Gov.ie – Carer’s Allowance

Page last checked: October 2022

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