If you care full-time for an adult in Ireland, there are three main payments from the Department of Social Protection (DSP). Carer's Allowance is a weekly, means-tested payment for full-time care of someone who needs it for at least 12 months. Carer's Benefit is for people who leave work or cut their hours to care, and depends on your PRSI record. It lasts up to 2 years for each person you care for. The Carer's Support Grant is €2,000 a year, paid in June.
These payments are not tied to a diagnosis. Carer's Allowance covers care needed because of age, disability or illness, "including mental illness". So it can apply whether the person has dementia, a brain injury, a neurological condition or a serious mental illness. The test is how much care and supervision they need.
All rates and rules below were checked on 2 November 2026. Budget 2027 was announced on 6 October 2026. The new weekly rates start in January 2027, and a means test change follows in July 2027.
These are maximum rates. If you care for 2 or more people, Carer's Allowance rises by up to 50%. Carer's Benefit also has a higher rate for more than one person (€406.50 a week in 2026). Child Support Payments for your own children can be added. From January 2027, the full rates are €64 a week for a child under 12 and €84 for a child aged 12 or over.
This is the question most claims turn on. For Carer's Allowance, Citizens Information says full-time care means you either:
You must provide care for at least 35 hours a week, over 5 to 7 days. The person must be aged 16 or over and need this level of care for at least 12 months. The DSP decides whether the test is met.
The supervision part matters for brain and mental health conditions. Someone may be physically able to wash and dress but still be at risk because of confusion, poor judgement, seizures or severe mental illness. The medical form, and your own description, should show that risk clearly.
The person you care for cannot live in a hospital or similar institution. Day care and non-residential rehabilitation do not stop your payment. If either of you goes into hospital, your Carer's Allowance can continue for up to 13 weeks.
As well as providing full-time care, you must:
You can share care with another carer on alternate weeks. You then share one payment and one Carer's Support Grant.
The DSP looks at your income and your spouse, civil partner or cohabitant's income. For a couple, the means are halved.
If your means are above a set amount, you may get a reduced rate rather than nothing. The DSP's SW19 booklet lists the reduced rates.
The DSP says the July 2027 change means a couple earning over €126,000 a year can get a full payment. A couple earning over €155,000 may still get a partial payment.
If you get Carer's Allowance, you can also get:
You may get credited PRSI contributions while you are on Carer's Allowance. Carer's Allowance is taxable, but you may not pay tax if it is your only income.
If you get certain other payments, you may keep that payment and get half-rate Carer's Allowance on top. These include Illness Benefit, Invalidity Pension, Partial Capacity Benefit and the State Pension (Contributory). Some payments, such as Jobseeker's Allowance and Working Family Payment, cannot be combined with it. Citizens Information has the full list.
You must tell the DSP about any change in your circumstances.
Carer's Benefit is for people who leave work, or reduce their hours, to care for someone who needs full-time care. You must:
The full-time care test is similar to Carer's Allowance. While on Carer's Benefit, you can work, study or volunteer for up to 18.5 hours a week. Since 2 July 2026, you can earn up to €1,000 a week after tax and deductions. Before that date the limit was €625.
Carer's Benefit is paid for up to 104 weeks for each person. You can take it in one block or in separate periods. If a period is shorter than 6 weeks in a row, you must wait 6 weeks before claiming again for the same person. Self-employed people have been able to claim since January 2025.
Apply at least 6 weeks before you plan to stop work. You get PRSI credits for each week you are paid. These help protect your future benefits and pensions.
Carer's leave is separate from the payment. It lets employees take unpaid leave of 13 to 104 weeks to provide full-time care, and your job is kept for you. You need 12 months' continuous service with your employer and must give at least 6 weeks' notice. You can take carer's leave even if you do not qualify for Carer's Benefit. The Workplace Relations Commission handles carer's leave queries and disputes.
The Carer's Support Grant is €2,000 a year. It is paid automatically in early June to people getting Carer's Allowance (full or half rate), Carer's Benefit or Domiciliary Care Allowance. In 2026 it was paid on 4 June. You can spend it however you like, including on respite. It is not means-tested and not taxable.
If you do not get one of those payments, you can still apply using form CSG1. You must be:
During those 6 months you cannot work or study for more than 18.5 hours a week. You also cannot be on Jobseeker's Allowance or Jobseeker's Benefit. One grant is paid for each person cared for. You can apply from April of a given year until 31 December of the following year.
Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is only for children under 16 with a severe disability. It does not apply if you care for an adult. When a child turns 16, DCA stops. They can then apply for Disability Allowance in their own right, which uses different rules. Your Carer's Allowance does not stop automatically at 16. It stops only if a review finds full-time care is no longer needed.
For Carer's Allowance and Carer's Benefit, you can apply online at MyWelfare.ie with a verified MyGovID account. You can also apply by post using form CR1 (Carer's Allowance) or CARB1 (Carer's Benefit). You also need:
If you apply online, these forms must arrive within 21 days. You need a separate application for each person you care for.
Processing can take time. You may get Supplementary Welfare Allowance while you wait.
The CARMed1 is completed by the cared-for person's doctor, not yours. Give the doctor time and a clear picture of a typical day. Include what happens at night, and the risks if the person is left alone. Reports from a consultant, nurse specialist or memory clinic can strengthen a claim, especially if the condition fluctuates.
You can ask the DSP section that decided to review it, with new evidence. There is no time limit for a review. You can also appeal to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office. For decision letters dated on or after 28 April 2025, the deadline is 60 days from the date on the letter. Appeals are free, and you can ask for an oral hearing.
Your local Citizens Information Centre can help with forms and appeals. The phone service is 0818 07 4000. Family Carers Ireland offers advice and support on 1800 24 07 24.
Caring for someone with a brain or mental health condition is often long-term. Our guides to young-onset dementia, frontotemporal dementia and Lewy body dementia explain what to expect. We also cover Parkinson's disease and concussion.
If you, or the person you care for, are in crisis, phone 112 or 999, or go to an emergency department. Samaritans is free on 116 123, any time. You can also text 50808.
Yes, if the full-time care test is met. Citizens Information says the payment covers care needed because of illness, including mental illness. Continuous supervision to keep the person safe can count as full-time care.
The means test described by Citizens Information looks at your income and your partner's. It does not list the cared-for person's income. Check your own case with the DSP or Citizens Information.
Yes, up to 18.5 hours a week, if you still provide full-time care and pass the means test. Carer's Benefit has the same hours limit, plus a cap of €1,000 a week in net earnings.
Yes. Two carers can share on alternate weeks, each providing full-time care in their week. You share one Carer's Allowance payment and one Carer's Support Grant.
No. Domiciliary Care Allowance is only for children under 16. For an adult, look at Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit and the Carer's Support Grant.
This article is general information about Irish social welfare, not legal or financial advice. Rules and rates change. Check your own situation with Citizens Information or the Department of Social Protection before you act.
Reviewed by: Proco Team
Last updated: November 2026