I presently dedicate all my time to looking after my ageing mother and mentally disabled adult sibling. I’m not receiving any form of income support, relying solely on my mother’s earnings for survival, since I’m unable to work. I’m curious as to whether any provision has been made for people in my situation.
Kind regards,
Mr G.C.
Before even considering the budget, it strikes me that you’re eligible to be on carer’s allowance, however, it appears you’ve fallen through the welfare system’s gaps.
Those who act as carers often go unnoticed within our society. There’s a general expectation, including from the Government, that they’ll take on caregiving duties for relatives or pals when the State doesn’t have enough resources, but the financial ramifications of this duty seem largely ignored.
Carers aren’t a small segment of the population either. The 2021 Census recorded nearly 300,000 people, equating to 6% of the population, consistently providing unpaid personal aid to a family member, neighbour, or friend with a long-term health or old age issue. This figure marks a leap of over 50% since the last census in 2016. Although not everyone qualifies for the means-tested carer’s allowance, it was being received by around 92,000 people by the end of last year.
Carers often highlight that through their work, they save the government billions in potential care expenses, expressing particular frustration with the government’s means testing, which they are compelled to pass to gain any financial aid.
According to a Family Carers Ireland report from last year, means testing based on the total household income, rather than the individual carer’s income, makes carers – who are predominantly women – heavily dependent financially on their partners. The same report contrasted the weekly €236 payment that eligible carers received to the basic income for artists, which stood at €325 a week. The report made a pointed argument that “significant shifts in recognising and valuing certain societal sectors are indeed achievable” with adequate government support.
Regardless of the financial struggles faced by carers, it’s still more favourable than depending on the earning of one’s elderly mother that you look after, as you can’t be employed. So let’s examine the eligibility requirements for the carer’s allowance. To meet these, you must be 18 years or above, reside in Ireland and spend no more than 18.5 hours a week in employment, self-employment or even voluntary work. This weekly limit is also applicable to educational and training courses.
Moreover, the individual under your care should be older than 16, necessitating full-time care and consideration for a minimum of 12 months. Younger individuals may also be considered, though this isn’t pertinent here.
The Department of Social Protection decides whether the care given is full-time. The first requirement is that the care span at least 35 hours a week across five to seven days. More loosely, you’re tasked with continuously watching the person to uphold their safety while assisting with personal tasks such as feeding and dressing.
Getting approval for the allowance doesn’t mean losing it if the person you care for goes to the hospital, as long as this doesn’t extend beyond 12 weeks. You’re also permitted to take a three-week vacation annually, provided there is an alternative care solution prepared.
After satisfying these conditions, the next stage involves passing the means test, which assesses your income and any savings or investments you possess. The department evaluates any monetary income you might receive, including from work, property rent or dividends. However, this doesn’t seem to apply to you. It’s worth mentioning that items like PRSI, pension contributions, and union dues are subtracted prior to considering your income. However, bizarrely, this excludes income tax or USC.
Certain incomes are exempted. This comprises any earnings up to the €14,000 cap under the room-renting scheme, any state compensation recompense, and the majority of social welfare benefits.
Regarding savings and assets, it’s important to start by clarifying that a personal property, if one exists, isn’t taken into consideration. Additionally, the first €50,000 in savings or assets is dismissed. Should you be one half of a couple, all assets are split and the first €50,000 of your portion is not accounted for.
Once this €50,000 limit has been reached, you are deemed to acquire €1 per week from every €1,000 over the next €10,000 (increasing up to €60,000) and €2 for every €1,000 between €60,000 and €70,000. When exceeding €70,000, each €1,000 is estimated to earn €4 per week.
To put it simply, the first €450 of your overall weekly income, as determined through means testing, is not included in your payment calculations. This sum will leap to €625 per week from January 2025.
Currently, the entire weekly carer’s allowance payment is €248. With the socially targeted €12 increase in January, this will boost to €260 a week.
The crucial point is, failing to claim the allowance will lead to missing these benefits that seemingly, you rightly deserve. Thus, I strongly advice an immediate application.
Should an individual be looking after two or more people, like you, the rate of carer’s allowance is boosted by up to 50 per cent per week – escalating to a top limit of €372 this year and €390 the next.
Each recipient of the carer’s allowance automatically gets the carer’s support grant annually in June. This grant, previously known as the respite care grant, was aimed to allow carers to pay for a respite for those they looked after, in reality it often goes towards bill payments.
This year, the grant was valued at €1,850. That will swell to €2,000 in the next year.
As a recipient of carer’s allowance, you stand to benefit from additional perks such as a GP visit card, granted you don’t already have one or a medical card, free transportation on public transit, and should you cohabitate with those under your care, entitlement to the household amenities package. This includes a free television licence and daily assistance worth €1.15 towards your gas or electricity bill.
The recent budget’s cost-of-living plan also allocates a doubled allowance payment in October and November, plus a lump sum payment of €400. From January, carer’s allowance will act as a qualifying factor for the €33 weekly fuel allowance, payable for 28 weeks a year, starting in late September.
However, to qualify for the additional fuel allowance, you’ll have to pass a separate financial assessment. The allowance exempts up to €20,000 in capital unless you’re 70 or older when a €50,000 exemption applies. Each household is only eligible for one fuel allowance.
Moreover, if you qualify for the fuel allowance, the Budget 2025 has permitted a €300 lump sum payment, which comes in addition to the €400 lump sum assured to everyone qualified for the carer’s support grant.
Crucially, missing out on the allowance would mean bypassing all these payments. So, it’s strongly recommended you apply at the earliest.
To register, you’ll need to complete a singular application form (CR1) for carer’s allowance for every individual you are caring for. Forms are available both online and in physical format at any Intreo or Citizens Information Centre. The application process will require a comprehensive health report about the individual under your care, endorsed by them and their physician.
Notably, those already receiving another social benefit might be entitled to a split-rate carer’s allowance.
In conclusion, individuals with a current PRSI history who are in a caregiving role for a relative are eligible for a carer’s benefit for a duration of two years. The notable feature of this benefit is that it does not require means testing and your qualification stems from your PRSI record. The payable sum stands at €249 per week, but this can escalate to €373.50 in situations where you are caring for over one person. There are certain eligibility standards and other advantages which vary from the carer’s allowance along with the nonexistence of a means test, aren’t pertinent to your circumstances, hence this has not been explored here due to space constraints.