Carer's Allowance
A weekly payment for people caring full-time for someone who needs care because of age, disability or illness. It is means-tested, and you can hold it alongside some other payments at half rate.
- Type
- Means-tested
- Paid
- Every week
- Taxable
- Yes
- Administered by
- Department of Social Protection
How much is Carer's Allowance?
€270/week
Aged under 66, caring for 1 person
| Aged under 66, caring for 2 or more people | €405/week |
|---|---|
| Aged 66 or over, caring for 1 person | €308/week |
| Aged 66 or over, caring for 2 or more people | €462/week |
Increases you may also get
| Child Support Payment — child under 12 (full rate) | €58/week |
|---|---|
| Child Support Payment — child under 12 (half rate) | €29/week |
| Child Support Payment — child 12 or over (full rate) | €78/week |
| Child Support Payment — child 12 or over (half rate) | €39/week |
Who can get Carer's Allowance
- You must be aged 18 or over and habitually resident in Ireland.
- You must care full-time for someone aged 16 or over who needs full-time care and attention for at least 12 months — or for a child under 16 for whom you get Domiciliary Care Allowance.
- You cannot work, study or volunteer for more than 18.5 hours a week.
- You cannot live in a hospital, convalescent home or similar institution.
- You must pass the means test.
The Carer's Allowance means test
Carer's Allowance is means-tested, but the weekly income disregard is high and rose sharply in July 2026 — a two-income household can now earn a substantial amount and still qualify.
| Single person — weekly income disregard From 2 July 2026 | €1,000 |
|---|---|
| Couple — weekly income disregard From 2 July 2026 | €2,000 |
How your savings are assessed
Disability Allowance and Carer's Allowance only. The first €50,000 is disregarded — far more generous than the standard scale.
| Capital | Weekly means assessed |
|---|---|
| First €50,000 | Nil |
| Next €10,000 | €1 per €1,000 |
| Next €10,000 | €2 per €1,000 |
| Balance (any capital over €70,000) | €4 per €1,000 |
Capital means your savings, investments, stocks, shares and any property other than your own home. Your own home is never assessed. Capital belonging to a spouse, civil partner or cohabitant is included.
Things people get caught by
- If you already get another social welfare payment, you may qualify for half-rate Carer's Allowance on top of it rather than the full rate.
- You can share caring with a second carer on alternate full weeks. You then share a single Carer's Allowance payment and a single Carer's Support Grant, but you each get Free Travel.
What else you might get
Payments interact. These are the ones that commonly go with Carer's Allowance.
- Carer's Support Grant
Paid automatically each June if you get Carer's Allowance.
- Free Travel
Automatic with Carer's Allowance.
- gp visit card
Automatic with Carer's Allowance.
- Household Benefits Package
Only if you live with the person you care for.
- Fuel Allowance
Not automatic — you must separately meet the Fuel Allowance means test.