As the cost of living crisis continues, carers are often one of the groups most vulnerable but there is hope as thousands of them could receive a grant of €1,850.
The Carer's Support Grant is available to all carers providing full-time care to a person with a disability, or to an older person. The grant is paid every year, and this year it will be paid on 1 June on the first Thursday of the month.
It is paid automatically each June to those who receive the Career's Allowance, Carer's Benefit and those on Domiciliary Care Allowance schemes. However, thousands more people are eligible after new changes were introduced by Minister Heather Humphreys last year. Here's everything to know on who is eligible for the grant, how much it is, and when it will be paid.
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What is the Carer's Support Grant?
The Carer's Support Grant is available to all carers providing full-time care to a person with a disability, or to an older person. It can be used for to pay for respite care if you wish, but you do not have to.
It's paid every June, and it's not taxable. If you are caring for more than one person, a grant is paid for each of them.
How much is the Carer's Support Grant?
Last year, Minister Heather Humphreys announced changes to the Carer's Support Grant which increased to €1,850.
It will be paid on Thursday 1 June 2023.
Who is eligible to get the Carer's Support Grant?
There are certain criteria that needs to be met to get the Carer's Support Grant. To qualify, you must be:
- Aged 16 or over
- Ordinarily resident in Ireland
- Caring for the person on a full-time basis
- Caring for the person for at least 6 months - this period must include the first Thursday in June
- Living with the person being cared for (or if you don't live with them the person person must be able to contact you quickly and directly)
During this 6 month caring period, you cannot:
- Work more than 18.5 hours per week as an employee or self-employment
- Take part in an education or training course for more than 18.5 hours a week
- Get Jobseeker's Allowance or Jobseeker's Benefit
- Sign on for credited contributions
- Live in a hospital, convalescent home or similar institution
How to apply
If you are getting Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit or Domiciliary Care Allowance, you don't need to apply for the Carer's Support Grant. It will be paid automatically paid to you in June.
But if you're not getting one of these above payments, you can fill in an application form CSG 1 (pdf) for each person you are caring for.
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